Free dental clinic set to open in Vancouver

Sample News Big

A free dental clinic will open in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in the new year, it has been announced.

The clinic will be opened by the First United Church and the University of British Columbia dental school; the clinic will be staffed by volunteer staff and students and care will be provided free of charge. The clinic will focus on infection control and pain management and will target poor people in the area; in the surrounding area, there are many homeless people and people who are either unemployed or on a very low wage.

A ceremony launching the new pilot programme was held yesterday; the pilot study will be used to determine the extent of the demand for dental care and the results of the trial will be used to determine opening hours and staff numbers and assure that the clinic provides the most suitable range of services.

Reverend Rick Matthews, of the First United Church, said that oral health was a major concern for many people living in communities close to the clinic. Many people have extensive health problems, including dental health problems and are desperate for treatment.

The church already provides a valuable service for vulnerable and homeless people in the area; up to 500 people are offered accommodation by the organisation and the church is involved with several outreach programmes in local communities.

Chris Zed, from the UBC School of Dentistry, said that it was important for the university to get involved in community projects and reach out to people in need.

Join this Discussion

Comments are closed.