Public Health Mobile Dental Clinic Bus Arrives in Buckhorn
Written by admin, February 22, 2012
February 22, 2012 – This Friday, February 24 marks the first time that Peterborough Public Health’s mobile dental clinic bus arrives in Buckhorn at the Buckhorn Community Centre. “This launch of the mobile dental bus is a significant milestone for the public health of residents in Buckhorn and Galway- Cavendish and Harvey Township,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “This investment is a resource for the community and will provide everyone, especially rural low-income families, with more options and more access.”
The mobile dental clinic will return to Buckhorn to the same location on Thursday, March 1 to provide dental hygiene services.
The mobile dental clinic bus is fully accessible and features two treatment areas and the equipment to provide diagnostic x-rays, cleaning, fillings and other preventive and treatment services. It is also intended to serve as a gateway to clients’ better health as clients on board will also be provided with information related to nutrition, food access, tobacco-free living, parenting, and a host of other public health resources.
“The importance of dental health to overall quality of life cannot be overstated,” said Dr. Salvaterra. “It is well documented in scientific research that oral health affects speech, nutrition, growth and development, learning, employment and self-esteem. Ignore oral health now and we all pay the price later.”
Almost six out of ten Canadian children and adolescents have experienced tooth decay. That rate reaches 96% for Canadian adults. Canada loses over two million school days and more than four million work days each year due to teeth-related ailments. Many of those problems are avoidable.
The Canadian Health Measures Survey found that about 32% of Canadians do not have dental insurance. Canadians from lower income families have consistently worse outcomes in terms of oral health, untreated dental disease, lower rates of visiting a dentist, and higher proportions of avoiding dental visits because of costs.
Funded by the province’s new Healthy Smiles Ontario Program, the new mobile clinic cost $513,000 and will provide much needed preventive and treatment services to rural low-income families without dental insurance. The new Healthy Smiles Ontario program will provide preventive dental care at no cost to children and youth who:
Are 17 years and under. Are members of a household with an Adjusted Family Net Income of $20,000 per year or less Don’t have access to any form of dental coverage. Residents interested in finding out if they or their children qualify for financial assistance are encouraged to call Public Health at 705-743-1000, ext. 265.
The first client on the mobile dental clinic bus was seen on January 20 when the bus arrived in Havelock. Prospective clients can call Public Health at anytime during regular business hours to book an appointment.
Schedule for Peterborough County – Mobile Dental Clinic
The mobile clinic is scheduled to offer treatment and hygiene services throughout Peterborough County during the winter months until April 2012. Schedules for the remainder of 2012 are under development and will be posted on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca once finalized. Call 705-743-1003 ext. 265 to find out if you or your family are eligible, or to schedule an appointment.
For further information about dental services provided by Public Health, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391