Health Professionals in Toronto Report Serious Dental Problems Among Syrian Refugees
Health professionals providing healthcare for Syrian refugees have raised concerns about the prevalence of serious dental health problems, many of which require urgent care. Toronto Public Health is currently working to provide refugees with a broad spectrum of healthcare services, but professionals are seeing severe dental issues on a persistent basis.
The authority is working with dentists, doctors and nurses to provide services such as routine dental checks and subsequent treatment and immunisations. Last week, health professional visited a number of refugees staying in hotels in the area to provide them with flu shots following an outbreak of flu among the refugee population in Edmonton.
Nicole Welch, director of health communities at Toronto Public Health, said the board is offering a range of services, including dental care, for those who have recently arrived in Toronto. Dental issues are prevalent and the team is working to prevent pain and provide long-term treatment to improve standards of oral health in the future.
Figures suggest that around 2,200 Syrian refugees have arrived in Toronto. Approximately 900 are currently living in hotels and this includes around 450 children.
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