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Dental funding filling need for low-income families
Some British Columbians could be smiling a little brighter thanks to $96,000 for dental programs for low-income children and adults this year, announced Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation Minister Don McRae.
McRae made the announcement at Vancouver’s Strathcona Community Dental Clinic, one of 19 clinics receiving $4,000 each, for a total of $76,000, including one in the Kootenays, the Salvation Army Mouth Minders Dental Clinic in Cranbrook.
The remaining $20,000 is going directly to the British Columbia Dental Association’s Save a Smile Program that provides urgent dental care to the children of low-income families without public or private dental plan coverage throughout B.C. The association works with public health dental staff who screen eligible families to allocate available funds.
The majority of the funding will help community dental clinics deliver dental care to vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, First Nations, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness and people receiving income and disability assistance.
“Maintaining dental health is so important to the overall health of children and adults alike. With that in mind, I’m really pleased we’re able to make this extra contribution that will benefit children from low-income families who have urgent dental needs, as well as to dental clinics that provide care to British Columbians from vulnerable populations,” McRae stated April 21.
“We’re delighted to receive these funds on behalf of the 19 not-for-profit dental clinics and the BC Dental Association’s Save a Smile program. These valuable services support patients in need and operate largely due to the dedication of volunteers, as well as through donor contributions. These funds will be directed to these programs to facilitate the ongoing delivery of patient care in communities throughout B.C.,” added British Columbia Dental Association president Dr. David Ciriani.
For a factsheet on the Dental Program – Persons with Disabilities and Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers: www.mhr.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/2005/dental.htm
For a factsheet about the BC Healthy Kids program: www.eia.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/2005/healthy_kids.htm
Lead image: Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett visits the Salvation Army Mouth Minders Dental Clinic in Cranbrook. Image from BillBennettMLA.bc.ca
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