More than 30 people got their smiles back earlier this month at Richmond Hospital, thanks to a dentistry team and VCH Richmond volunteers who gave freely of their time and expertise.

“Our annual Dental Clinic was a resounding success,” said Belinda Boyd, Leader, Community Engagement. “Most of the individuals we helped had not been able to access dental care in a long time, and their health and well-being were being impacted.  Those who were helped left the clinic grateful for dental care that was provided with such care and compassion.”

This year, the 26-member dentistry team provided $17,000 worth of services to those in need of dental care. VCH Richmond volunteers – six of them – were also integral to the process, helping to screen prospective clients prior to clinic day, and supporting them during their appointments.

In our clients’ own words

“My teeth feel so good I want to take a big bite of an apple right now!”

“I am so very grateful for all the work that was done for me.”

“Thank you so very much for this opportunity, I am very grateful!”

“I am so thankful to have been able to come here today and have my teeth fixed.”

It all began with a good idea

The annual one-day dental clinics began two years ago, from an idea that sprung from integrated primary care redesign that had been happening across the health region.

“We were working on developing a directory of services for seniors to be used by physicians , and realized how pitifully little there were in the ways of dental services for seniors who could not afford to access regular care,” recalled Boyd. “I approached a fellow Rotarian, Steveston-based dentist Dr. Doug Nielson, and the idea became a reality.”

In the two years that the clinics have been offered, more than 100 clients have been helped. And that number will continue to grow as a plan is now in place to expand the twice-yearly clinics into two-day long affairs as both the support and infrastructure for expansion are now in place.

Thank you to all who helped

• Doug Nielsen and his wife, Susan, for bringing the clinic to fruition, and continue to support the twice-yearly endeavors.
• Bill Brymer, UBC Faculty of Dentistry, and students who gave so much time and care to the patients.
• Richmond dentists and denturist who gave up their Saturday to provide excellent care and free care.
• Sodexo for donating food — both breakfast and lunch — for the students, dentists and volunteers, and whose staff provided extra garbage collection and cleaning during the day.
• Volunteer Resource’s Patti Etkin and Terry Krahn, and Public Health’s Lisa Enns and the VCH Richmond volunteers who screened, booked appointments, comforted and shepherded clients to and from their appointments.
• Richmond Hospital engineers who ensured the facility’s generators could power-up the equipment required to power a pop-up dental clinic.
• Lower Mainland Parking Services who waived fees for the dental team, clients and volunteers for the day.