The relation of primary teeth and mental health conditions: Leveraging Tooth Fairy.

Project end date: July 1, 2027

This study, titled “The relation of primary teeth and mental health conditions: Leveraging Tooth Fairy,” investigates the relationship between children’s mental health and oral health. Led by Dr. Parisa Ghanouni (Dalhousie University) in collaboration with partners at IWK Health, the University of Toronto, and other institutions, the research explores whether differences in primary tooth mineralization can be linked to mental or neurodevelopmental conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, or autism spectrum disorder. Parents of children aged 5–17 are invited to participate by donating a naturally fallen-out or extracted baby tooth and completing a 20–25-minute online questionnaire about their child’s health, environment, and experiences. By analyzing these teeth and accompanying data, the study aims to better understand how emotional well-being and oral health interact, ultimately contributing to improved preventive and clinical approaches for children’s mental and dental health.