This video presents “Healthy Smiles All Around”:
- A dedicated team of traveling dental professionals assists low-income families in under-serviced regions in Ontario, Canada
- “Adrian is all smiles after his cleaning & receives warm welcomes from Health Minister Deb Matthews & dental hygienist Stephanie Hancock”
The objective of the 100 % provincially funded Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program is to improve the oral health of children and youth living in low income families in Toronto by giving them improved access to preventive and maintenance dental care.
Today, the Mobile Dental Clinic (MDC) is officially launched so that children 17 years of age and under will have better access to the following FREE dental care services in Toronto:
- regular check-ups
- x-rays
- fillings
- and more, to promote and maintain good oral health
Toronto is one of five Ontario public health units that received funding for a new Mobile Dental Clinic which is:
- a 40-foot customized coach
- fully accessible
- equipped with:
- two dental stations
- a sterilization centre
- a reception area
- is staffed by a dentist, registered dental hygienist and a certified dental assistant
- travelling throughout Toronto visiting neighbourhoods and community agencies Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide FREE dental care to those who meet eligibility requirements
According to the Healthy Smiles Ontario Dental Program Implementation report (August 29, 2011) of Dr David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto:
- “Low income independent living seniors and low income adults without dental benefits from employment have no or very little access to affordable dental care
- This is because dental care in the private sector is unaffordable for people living at or below LICO (Statistics Canada Low Income Cut Off base)
- Changes in employment toward more casual, temporary, part-time and self employment mean that in future fewer Ontarians may have access to dental care as an employment benefit
- The combined effect of declining access to dental benefits and an aging population will exacerbate the issue of access to affordable dental care for low income adults
- Their deterioration in oral health over time can affect their general health and their ability to remain or be employed
- The issue of access to dental care for low income adults 18-64 years old needs to be addressed:
- They are the most in need and the least served segment of Toronto’s population“
City of Toronto Contact Info:
Phone within Toronto city limits: 311
Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311)
TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca
If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7.
Always call 911 for emergencies.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
NEWS RELEASE
November 6, 2012
Toronto Public Health launches new Mobile Dental Clinic
With today’s official launch of the Mobile Dental Clinic (MDC), children 17 years of age and under will have better access to free dental care in Toronto.
“I can’t emphasize enough the impact dental health has on overall health including nutrition, speech, learning, employment and self-esteem,” said Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health. “By bringing the clinic directly to the client we are hoping to reach our most vulnerable residents, reduce health inequities and improve the health of our whole population.”
Toronto’s Mobile Dental Clinic is fully funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and is one component of the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program. Launched in October 2010, this program provides free dental services to children and youth including regular check-ups, x-rays, fillings and more, to promote and maintain good oral health. Toronto is one of five Ontario public health units that received funding for a MDC.
“As of October this year, 32,900 children have received dental care thanks to the Healthy Smiles Ontario program, fulfilling another commitment under the Poverty Reduction Strategy,” said Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “The mobile dental clinic will help increase accessibility to dental care for eligible children 17 years of age and under. These services will not only provide treatment and preventative care – they also reinforce the importance of maintaining good oral health.”
The Mobile Dental Clinic is a 40-foot customized coach that is fully accessible and is equipped with two dental stations, a sterilization centre and a reception area. The clinic is staffed by a dentist, registered dental hygienist and a certified dental assistant.
The bus will travel throughout Toronto visiting neighbourhoods and community agencies Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide free dental care to those who meet eligibility requirements.
More information about the HSO program is available at www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/dental/
More information on Toronto Public Health’s dental services is available at
http://www.toronto.ca/health/
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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