Advocating for Accessible Oral Health Care for Canadians with Disabilities
Over one in five Canadians aged 15 and older—approximately 8 million people—live with one or more disabilities. By age 75, this figure rises to 47%. For many individuals with disabilities, accessing high-quality oral health care provided with dignity and compassion remains a significant challenge. The Canadian Society for Disability and Oral Health (CSDH) was founded to address this disparity and is driven by a deep commitment to creating change.
CSDH is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization advocating for fair access to oral health care for individuals with disabilities. Our diverse membership includes dental professionals, researchers, educators, students, and disability advocates dedicated to advancing equitable care.
Filling the Gap Dental Outreach provides affordable, urgent dental care to low-income Torontonians through volunteer dentists at community clinics. We serve vulnerable groups, including seniors, students, and people experiencing homelessness, bridging the gap for the 20% of Ontarians who can’t afford dental care. Since our start in 2007 with one chair in Scarborough, we’ve expanded alongside partners like the Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Healthcare, becoming a certified charity in 2020 with a second clinic at Rexdale Hub.
Our future goals include expanding to more community health centers, establishing a mobile clinic for GTA homeless shelters, and improving accessibility for seniors and individuals with disabilities at our Scarborough location.
The Wright Clinic is London’s first and only not-for-profit, community-based dental clinic. The clinic is managed by a board of directors and provides a full spectrum of oral health services to adults aged 18 and older who are low income, who do not have access to private dental insurance, or who have minimal insurance. This model is unique and is the only clinic of its kind in Canada.
Clients receive care from a dedicated team of oral health professionals, including dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants. The clinic’s staff are trained in delivering trauma-informed care and provide system navigation in partnership with Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre and other partners to meet oral, overall health, and basic needs.
Volunteer dentists and dental specialists enhance service delivery by offering specialty care, including complex extractions, root canal therapy, periodontal care, and oral surgery. The clinic is also partnered with Fanshawe College Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs, and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, where students participate in clinical rotations to enhance their understanding of barriers to oral healthcare and the importance of client-centred care within community settings.
Since opening in April of 2021, the clinic has provided oral healthcare to 1,022 clients, and in 2023, completed over 5,000 procedures valued at over $800,000.
Do you know of any non-profits or charities dedicated to providing dental care for those in need that we should consider adding to our list of beneficiaries?
Email your nomination to info@whiteknightgalatoronto.ca.
The White Knight Gala is a highly anticipated event for Ontario’s dental community. This elegant evening features a Silent Auction and networking with industry leaders, all in support of oral health initiatives across the province. Designed to keep costs low, the event ensures that most funds raised directly benefit oral health initiatives in Ontario.
