Dentistry from the Heart

Recently our conference learned about an initiative to help those in need which provided free dental work. “Dentistry from the Heart”, is an initiative by dentists across North America. Dentists offer to do dental work for often up to 50 individuals. This includes cleanings, fillings and oral exams. The organization that leads the cause has a website called www.dentistryfromtheheart.org . CBC news did an article about them back in 2015. The dental office receives a tax donation receipt for services performed “in kind”. No cash is exchanged.

The dental office across from St Francis Xavier Parish in Stoney Creek, King East Dental, offered this service on Nov 2, 2018. They offered to look after up to 50 people. They set up a tent outside the office with chairs, a table and heaters where clients could wait. Once the office opened those waiting were offered coffee and donuts provided by a local Tim Hortons store. The dentist’s website is www.kingeastdental.ca .

I spoke with one of the people working at the office around noon hour that day. They told me they had 30 people so far had come in. I told the organizer about our Society and asked if they were hoping to do this again next year. They hope to but perhaps in a warmer season. I asked if we could help next year. They said yes. We plan to, as we did this year, first of all, inform our people in need that we visit, as to when and where these clinics are being held. Secondly we plan to be at the dental office, meet with the individuals coming for treatment. We will provide them with information about the society and see if they want us to visit them. We plan to provide those in need with gift cards for local stores. It will also be a great way of letting others know about our Society and the work we do by providing brochures to other patients that may be interested. Perhaps the dental office could be recognized for their efforts in some way.

We hope that other conferences across Ontario do something like this as well. Encourage dentists in your area to participate in this program. Dates and locations of upcoming clinics are listed on the Dentistry website. Then reach out to those in need to give them a way to improve their health and their dignity.

Submitted by Deacon John Girolami
November 2018