Inner-city kids suffer from poor dental health

published by asingh on Sat, 03/08/2014 - 14:34

In Vancouver’s inner-city neighbourhoods, 40 – 50% of children suffer from tooth decay, and the Strathcona Health Society is concerned about these numbers. The Society runs the Strathcona Community Dental Clinic, which provides free dental care to the most severe cases, ensuring that children do not suffer permanent damage.

“I talk to parents every day and hear the challenges they face providing for their families,” says Stephen Leary, the Executive Director for Strathcona Health Society. “It is often the child that tells the parent that they have to go to the dentist because they have a toothache. Then the parent must make some tough decisions on what they can afford.”

Strathcona Community Dental Clinic tries to cut costs where possible and provide children with quality dental care, which includes discounts and sometimes providing free care in crisis situations.

Tooth decay is still the most chronic and common disease of childhood and most severely affects children from low-income families. The Strathcona Health Society addresses these issues through a number of programs, including a free fluoride program to Strathcona and Seymour Elementary Schools. The clinic also provides dental health information and nutritional counseling to parents and children as preventative measures.

To support the Strathcona Community Dental Clinic or learn more about the programs, visit www.strathcona-health.ca.