The dental school at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and First United Church have teamed up to create a free dental clinic in Vancouver.
The one-chair dental clinic, launched as a pilot project to assess the oral health needs of some of the most marginalized people in the city, was made possible through the generous bequest of a Vancouver resident, according to the school.
A "test run" of the clinic began December 16; in January, the clinic will start operating one afternoon a week with the assistance of UBC dental school residents. The focus will be on pain management and infection control.
"Healthcare is a major concern for us, and we see a lot of people who either don't have teeth or whose dental health is very poor," said Rev. Ric Mathews, executive minister of First United Church. "We are hopeful that by running this pilot project we will be able to assess more fully the needs of this community and be able to create a long-lasting and substantial response to the need."
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