Giving Hope Through a Healthy Smile
A healthy smile can have a great impact on someone’s life, boosting confidence and opening doors to opportunities while also contributing to overall health in many ways.
The Salvation Army in Cranbrook, B.C., has provided free dental care to their clients in the East Kootenay region for over 10 years. In partnership with the British Columbia Dental Association, they help patients with pain management and infection control free of charge.
“It’s not just about a person’s teeth. It’s about their health, holistically, our whole body including our teeth is extremely important. If we have tooth pain, we can’t eat, which affects everything else in our bodies,” explains Major Rick Robbins.
“The program changes lives.”
This program helps clients who can’t afford to go to a dental clinic. As most patients who visit The Salvation Army’s free clinic have not seen a dentist in quite some time, their cases can be somewhat complex and therefore the help they receive can be life-changing and sometimes even lifesaving.
Major Rick remembers a case in which a client who had three teeth pulled expressed his gratitude for the service and excitement to get his life back.
“I haven’t eaten a meal that is not soup in six months. I’m looking forward to eating something that I can actually chew,” the client shared.
For other clients, improving their smile has opened job opportunities for them.
“The program changes lives,” Major Rick says. “There have been people who have called in and felt suicidal because they just couldn’t handle the pain anymore. When we can relieve that, they can think clearly and have a quality of life that many of us take for granted,” Major Rick shares.
“I have had patients express their helplessness of never being able to afford dental treatment,” added Shirley Diebold, certified dental assistant and dental program coordinator. “We are in a unique position to help vulnerable individuals in our surrounding communities regain their ability to chew, absorb nutrients and enjoy the dignity of an esthetic smile.”
“It’s fantastic to help people in that point of need. At The Salvation Army, this is what we do.”
The free dental clinic is run by professional and experienced dentists and dental assistants. Clients receive the same high-quality care that they would get at a paid clinic.
“It’s fantastic to help people in that point of need. At The Salvation Army, this is what we do. We meet people amid darkness, give hope and help guide them toward the light to something better. If we can do that with teeth, then that is something we want to do,” Major Rick adds.
The program has a partnership with the College of the Rockies, which allows the dental assistance students the opportunity to come to the free clinic an earn valuable experience guided by professionals.
“It’s been very impactful on every student as it shows them a different side of dentistry then they will see when they go out into private practice,” says Nicole Wall, dental program coordinator.
The feedback from clients over the years has been overwhelmingly positive.
Looking forward, the program plans to expand and it hopes to add denture services soon.
“This is a phenomenal program, and it is unique in that it’s a free program. There are other non-profit low-cost clinics in the country, but as far as we know, we are the only free clinic that does what we do,” Major Rick adds.
By Juan Romero
