Dental Clinic Provides Vital Care to Residents at The Salvation Army
An innovative partnership helps brighten the smiles of individuals experiencing homelessness.
For residents of The Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario, accessing dental care can be financially out of reach.
A recent ‘Giving Back Day,’ in collaboration with Confederation College’s Dental Clinic, provided much-needed oral health services to those in need.
“Appearance has a lot to do with the way people feel, and when they have good dental care, the outward appearance also affects your inward feelings about yourself,” says Journey to Life Centre executive director Gary Ferguson. “Also, good dental hygiene can help minimize other potential health concerns. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to partner with Confederation College.”
The initiative, created by Thunder Bay oral surgeon Dr. Bruce Pynn, benefited residents and gave dental hygiene students valuable real-world experience. Volunteering alongside Dr. Pynn were Dr. Frank Mauro, a periodontist, and Dr. Don Young, a dentist, who both helped make the clinic successful.
Residents expressed gratitude for the compassionate care they received from students.
“The students were very kind and knowledgeable, and they explained things very well,” says one Centre of Hope resident. “All in all, it was a very good experience. It was so good I have two follow-up appointments.”
The Journey to Life Centre includes an emergency shelter for men and offers a range of life skills, community and family services programs, correctional residential facilities, and homes for special care. The Centre has furnished apartments for residents looking to overcome a range of challenges, including drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness and mental health.
Confederation College’s dental clinic manager Alison Macmillan was inspired by the dedication of the 24 students who gave back to their community.
“The second- and third-year hygiene students who volunteered learned the importance of showing empathy and professionalism while working with residents who may have limited access to dental care,” Alison says. “They experienced firsthand how they can make a positive difference in people’s lives, helping them grow as compassionate individuals.”
Throughout the day, the volunteer hygienists and the three dentists provided a range of essential services, including assessments, X-rays, diagnoses, and oral self-care instruction. Each client also received a gift bag containing a toothbrush, floss, toothpaste, pens, and a pair of winter gloves.
For many of those providing the care, the experience was just as impactful. Second-year dental hygiene student Ilsha described the opportunity as both rewarding and eye-opening.
“It truly warmed my heart to see all the staff who dedicated their time and energy to make this day possible, reminding me how important it is to give back to the community. It was inspiring to see dentists, students, and instructors working together seamlessly to ensure the clinic ran smoothly,” Ilsha says.
Looking ahead, Dr. Pynn hopes to expand the program by offering the clinic three to four times a year for Journey to Life residents.
“Several of the individuals haven’t been to a dentist in 10 or 20 years. This clinic was a free opportunity to get a good dental exam.”
Programs like this are made possible through community support. Your financial contributions help ensure that these initiatives continue to assist residents in Thunder Bay and across Ontario. Donate today at www.SalvationArmy.ca or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.