29
Volume2 Issue7
|
I
ssues and
P
eople
Thephilosophybehind theclinic is toestablishcontinuityof carewitha focusonprevention,
whileat the same timedeliveringemergencycareandpain relief ondemand.Manyof the
20non-profit dental treatment centres inB.C. focusonprovidingemergencycare (anddo
anamazing jobof delivering that service). But theCool AidClinicoperatesmorealong the lines
of aprivateclinic in itsday-to-dayoperationsof providingcontinuous care through thework
of salarieddentists, hygienists andcertifieddental assistants.
Theclinic’s clientelehaveamyriadofmedical issues—more
complex than I haveexperienced inmy33yearsof privatepractice.
As a result, treatment planningbecomesmore involvedand
complex. This is achallenge for theentiredental team.
Thecriteria for patient eligibilityat theclinic is limited to thosewho
areeconomicallymarginalizedandwhodonot haveemployer-
sponsoreddental benefit plans. Unscheduledemergencypatients are seenonafirst-come,
first-servedbasis, andall patients inpainareeither seen that dayor, at aminimum, receivea
prescription for pain relief or infectionandare rescheduled for treatment.
Beingpart of theCool Aiddental caredelivery systemhasbeena remarkableexperience.
Theclinic’sphilosophyandpersonnel provideavaluable service indeliveringcare tovery
compromisedpatients. Theclinic serves as a successful exampleofwhat canbeachievedusing
streamlinedorganizational systems, integratedhealthcareprograms (i.e.,medical, dental and
pharmacyprograms) andfinancial support frombothgovernment andprivate foundations.
While theconcept of “auniversal dental careplan” ispromotedby somepeople, the
reality is that for themajorityof thepopulation, dentistry should remainwithin the
private sector. However, I believe there is a larger role for government in improving
access tocare for thosewithphysical and intellectual disabilitieswhodonot have the
ability to support themselves.
InB.C., the feespaidby thegovernment towardministrydental plans are sodeficient
that theygenerallydonot cover theoverheadofmost dental offices. Privateclinics
are inessenceprovidingdental servicesonaprobonobasis. Althoughapproximately
70%of B.C. dentistsprovidecare for individualswhoareeligible forministrydental
programs at a reduced fee, it is increasinglydifficult for thesedentists tocontinue
providing such services, thus creatingagreater need for thesenon-profit clinics.
a
My Thoughts on
WORKINGATTHE
COOLAIDDENTALCLINIC
DavidBaird
DMD
Dr. Baird is past-
president of the
BritishColumbia
DentalAssociation.
Towatchan
interviewwith
Dr. DavidBaird, visit
As apart-timepractitionerat theCoolAidDentalClinic, Ihavefirst-hand experiencewith
the operational aspects of the clinic. It’s a shining example of how exceptional dental care—
bothpreventativeand restorative—canbedelivered ina timelymanner toa segment of the
populationwhootherwisewould encounterdifficulties accessing care.
The clinic serves as a successful example ofwhat canbe achievedusing
streamlined organizational systems and integratedhealth care programs
with cooperationfrom government and private foundations.
