Community Dental Clinic provides affordable dentistry for all ages

April is traditionally known as Oral Health Month in Canada. It’s just one of the times of year when the Community Care Health & Care Network strives to educate local residents about dental health services available through the organization’s Community Dental Clinic.

While our health care system currently provides coverage for virtually all physician and hospital health care costs, for the most part Canadians are responsible for financing their own dental care.

They have four options:

• Coverage through an employment benefit plan;
• Coverage through a private insurance plan purchased by the individual;
• Government-subsidized programs
• Paying for dental care directly out-of-pocket.

That final option is unfortunately the only one for up to 40 per cent of the population.

Recent Canadian Dental Association studies indicate that 32 per cent of Canadians have no dental insurance. The numbers climb to more than 50 per cent for adults over age 60, and for Canadians in lower-income tax brackets – concerning when considering that lower-income families have been found to have twice the number of serious oral health issues compared to higher income households.

Since 2011, the Community Care Health & Care Network has offered dental services at reduced rates to meet needs of local individuals and families. The Community Dental Clinic’s expert dental team serves local residents of all ages, and fees are less than the Ontario Dental Association schedule. By reducing the financial burden on families to access oral health care, the clinic helps local residents lead healthier, fuller lives. Accessible dental care also reduces the level of health complications that can come from lack of care.

Proper oral health care, including regular trips to the dentist, is smart preventative maintenance for the whole body. People often treat oral care differently than other health matters that would result in a trip to the doctor. Poor oral health can affect a person’s overall quality of life. Oral pain, missing teeth or infections can influence the way a person speaks, eats and socializes. These can reduce a person’s quality of life by affecting physical, mental and social well-being.

In other words, everything that happens in your mouth can affect your whole body. Regular visits to the dentist are an important component of a solid overall approach to health care.

Community Care’s Community Dental Clinic is at 108 Angeline St. S. in Lindsay. We accept patients from all walks of life. Call 705-879-4100 (option 2) for information or to make an appointment.