Submitted. The province is helping low-income adults and children access urgent dental care with a $120,000 one-time grant to support dental programs throughout B.C.
Twenty not-for-profit dental clinics will receive $4,000 each. The
majority of the $80,000 distributed to the clinics will be used to deliver
services at reduced rates for low-income families and individuals. The
funds will assist with operating and capital costs such as replacement
equipment.
“Thank you to the ministry for recognizing the valuable services offered
by the 20 not-for-profit dental clinics in B.C. and the British Columbia
Dental Association’s Save a Smile program. These funds will be directed to
these programs to support patients in need of urgent dental care in
communities throughout the province.” – Dr. David Baird, president, British Columbia Dental Association
Quick Facts:
* Last year government provided dental services to about 137,000 people
receiving income and disability assistance and children in low-income
families at a total cost of $58 million.
* Since 2006, the ministry has provided $1.4 million through numerous
grants and contribution agreements in support of the British Columbia
Dental Association’s charitable programs and not-for-profit dental
clinics.
Another $40,000 will go directly to the British Columbia Dental
Association’s Save a Smile program, which supports urgent dental care to
children of families without public or private dental-plan coverage
throughout B.C. The association works directly with public-health dental
staff who screen families for clinical and financial eligibility, as well
as with the University of British Columbia, which administers program
funds.
Learn More:
To learn more about the BC Healthy Kids program click here.
For information on the Dental Program – Persons with Disabilities and
Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers:
www.mhr.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/2005/dental.htm
To learn more about the Ministry of Social Development and Social
Innovation click here.
Clinics receiving dental-care funding:
The following not-for-profit clinics will benefit from the $4,000 funding
per clinic:
Metro Vancouver/Fraser Valley:
* Abbotsford Food Bank Dental Clinic
* Downtown Eastside Dental Clinic (Vancouver)
* KEYS Dental Clinic (Surrey)
* Mid Main Community Health Centre (Vancouver)
* Pacific Oral Health Society (Surrey)
* Peace Arch Free Dental Clinic (White Rock)
* Portland Community Dental Clinic (Vancouver)
* REACH Community Health Centre (Vancouver)
* Strathcona Community Dental Clinic (Vancouver)
* Tri-City Dental Aid Clinic (Port Coquitlam)