Health and Accessible Dental Care

Written by Ken Wright, The Wright Clinic

While teaching Dental students at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry in London Ontario I spent a lot of time on the technical aspects of dental care. However, an area of importance was how Oral Health played a significant role in the general health of an individual, and how decayed teeth could affect the overall health of a person. Rotten or missing teeth also had a social impact when interviewing for jobs. As a clinician of course I was aware of this, but suddenly one day I was struck by the wider implications when a friend said, “ Where do people go who can’t afford dental care?” She pointed out that if they go to a hospital Emergency Department, they are given something for pain and maybe an antibiotic and sent home. The Hospital is not equipped to handle dental problems and there is no dental treatment, but there is a cost to the hospital for seeing such patients. 

This encounter was a wake-up call for me to set up the “DOCS” project, (Dental Outreach Community Service) in 2008. With a truck loaded with Dental Chairs and equipment, we visited several social agencies in London including The Limberlost Community and the Boys and Girls Club amongst others.

Every couple of weeks from 5:30 pm to 9 pm volunteer dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and students from Western and Fanshawe treated patients registered with these agencies. We did this for 12 years until Covid put a stop to it. It was a program that met a lot of needs, but it became clear that there was a greater need for a permanent full-time dental clinic in London to meet the needs of these patients.

“The Wright Clinic” opened in 2021 located on the property at Glen Carin Community Resource Centre, 244 Adelaide Street South.

This clinic is staffed by a permanent core group consisting of a dentist, hygienist, and receptionists. They are supported by volunteer dentists and hygienists.  

The clinic not only provides a valuable service in our community, but relieves some of the stresses on hospital emergency rooms. During the first 18 months of our operation, we have seen over 300 emergencies and carried out over 5000 appointments.

The clinic is run by a Board made up of representatives from Fanshawe College, Schulich School of Dentistry, Middlesex London Health Unit, London InterCommunity Health Centre, and the London & District Dental Society. This enables the clinic to benefit from the expertise of these institutions.  

While the clinic is a not-for-profit organization, it does depend on support from the city and other funders such as The City of London, The London Community Foundation, and The London and District Dental Society. Recently a grant from Green Shields Canada has enabled the clinic to operate three evenings a week and see more patients.

We are thankful for that support, but realize that annual fundraising will be a necessary of part our existence, and hope interest and support for these citizens in our community will continue.