Impact

Community impact

The clinics addresses various barriers to oral health, including:

• Lack of access to care due to low provider-to-population ratios

• Limited income and/or lack of dental insurance benefits

• Limited access to transportation

• The inability to take time off from work to travel to attend to personal family needs for care

• Cultural barriers and stigma

Through this initiative, individuals in remote and underserved regions can receive high-quality dental care without extensive travel. The family-oriented clinics foster a positive introduction to oral health care for children, emphasizing preventive measures through education. 

Our reduced fee schedule further encourages uninsured patients to prioritize regular examinations over delaying treatment until emergencies arise, as managing dental emergencies within clinics diminishes the burden on hospital emergency facilities. 

Student impact

At the clinics, dentistry and dental hygiene students work in a rural setting and manage the oral health care needs of a diverse patient population. The needs in these communities tend to be more complex and extensive due to limited access to care. 

The clinics are modelled on a private practice setting, and an experienced dental support team and the low student-to-instructor ratio allow students to be efficient with their clinic time, resulting in more patient care. This environment supports student development and improves patient management skills.