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ssues and
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eople
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Volume2 Issue1
“SchulichDentistry isbecomingachampion for oral health
careof underservicedchildren, special needspatients and
thegrowinggeriatricpopulation. Our new suite ispivotal in
thismission,” saysDr. Harinder Sandhu, Director of Schulich
Dentistry. (
Ed.Note:Dr. Sandhuwasdirector from2006–2014.
)
“Through this suite,wewill enhanceour educational
programs and trainour students togain the knowledgeand
sensibilities toprovidecare to someof themost vulnerable
populations. It is amilestone for SchulichDentistry.”
FundingChallengesRemain
Securing funding todevelop suchprogramswasnoeasy
task. Bothuniversities receivedprovincial support, and the
Universityof Torontoachievedadditional funding through
donationsbyalumni, instructors, and fundraisingevents.
Thecosts associatedwith running theseprograms are
coveredby the schools’ operatingbudgets. Although
patient billings subsidizeoperations, financial sustainability
remains an important concern for long-term success.
With the implementationof suchuniqueprograms, access
tocarehas improved for childrenwithECCandwait times
havebeen reduced. At theToronto surgicentre,wait times
areapproximately2 to4months. Thegoal is for Schulich
Dentistry’snew suite toalso reducewait times, but thiswill
beassessedafter thecliniccomes into full service in2015.
Bothuniversities servepatients fromcommunities all across
Ontario. Approximately20%of patients visiting theUof T
surgicentrecome fromoutside theGreater TorontoArea, and
individuals fromNorthernOntariomake the journeydown
toLondon. Thereareno restrictions for patients coming in to
either centre, as longas theycanarrange for transportation.
Patients canaccess theseclinics through referrals frompublic
healthprogramsor general and specialtydentists.
Through their facilities andprograms, both theUniversityof
TorontoandSchulichDentistryareworking tobetter service
those inneed.
a
ArticlebyAlexandraRabalski
Ms. Rabalski is afirst year dental student atMcGill University.
She isalsoacontributor toOasisDiscussions (oasisdiscussions.ca).
SchulichDentistryGeneralAnesthesiaSuite (below).
