For many low-income residents in Canada access to basic dental care is not a reality. There is no universal dental coverage for those without the means to pay for oral care. The need for dental care for low-income people in the North Okanagan is great. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVtAYNPS7fM
The following is an excerpt from a report titled “Healthy Teeth for Healthy Eating” produced July 2007
in Nelson BC by Ruth Beck:
Oral Disorders can cause pain, infection and tooth loss, limited food choices and overall nutrition, impair social relationships, reduce self esteem, and reduce attendance at work and school.1 Poor oral health has been linked with diabetes2 heart disease, stroke and increased risk for having a low birth-weight baby3
Having Healthy teeth is a pre-requisite for healthy eating. Among Canadians 18 and over, 13% have problems chewing. One in three seniors can not chew a full range of foods 4 increasing risks for compromised nutrition and overall health. Did you know that even children as young as 9 months old can get tooth decay5. Very young children receive dental treatment in hospital or specialized clinics under sedation. The annual cost to the private and public combined in treating children four and under is over $10 million in British Columbia 6
The Community Dental Access Centre was the vision of the Community Dental Access Steering Committee which was under the umbrella of the First Nations Friendship Centre Society in Vernon. Work began on the initiative in September 2006. Over thirty agencies and organizations have joined together to make the Community Dental Access Centre become a reality. In December 2010, a non-profit society was formed and registered.
1 Locker, D & Matear, D.; “Oral disorders, systemic health, well-being and quality of life; a summary of recent research evidence”, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 2001,pp. I, 19, 24, 29
2 Mathews, D.; “The Relationship between Diabetes and Periodontal Disease”, Journal of the Canadian Dental Association, 2002, p. 162 http://www.picosearch.com/cgi-bin/ts.pl?index=311217&query=Diabetes
3 Locker, D. & Matear, D.; p.i http://www.caphd-acsdp.org/articles1.html
4 Locker, D. & Matear, D.; p.ii http://www.caphd-acsdp.org/articles1.html
5 & 6 www.kidsmiles.ca (Developed by the Canadian Dental Association and the Government of BC)
