City receives $1 million aimed at improving access to oral health for residents with no or limited dental coverage

HAMILTON, ON – Oral health is inextricably linked to overall health; it affects physical, mental and social wellbeing. Oral health issues are common in Hamilton and oral healthcare is inaccessible to many Hamiltonians.

Hamilton Community Foundation and the City of Hamilton’s Healthy and Safe Communities Department are partnering to improve oral health outcomes and reduce oral health inequities in Hamilton.

Hamilton received a $1 million grant from Green Shield Canada (GSC). The grant is part of GSC’s “Six 4 Six” granting initiative which will see a total of $6 million dollars donated to priority projects in oral health and mental health across six Canadian communities, beginning with Hamilton. Hamilton Community Foundation partnered with GSC to facilitate the design, implementation, and evaluation of the entire “Six 4 Six” initiative.

“Services improving oral health lead to healthier people which in turn leads to a stronger and healthier community. Thanks to our partnership with the Hamilton Community Foundation, and the generosity of Green Shield Canada’s ‘Six 4 Six’ community granting initiative, we can increase our capacity to provide critical and compassionate care and reduce financial insecurity for residents.” -His Worship, Mayor Fred Eisenberger

“In keeping with GSC’s mission, ‘Six 4 Six’ is funding community programs aimed at improving health care for all Canadians. It represents a new collaborative model that’s all about community partnerships.”- Sherry Peister, GSC Board Chair

Today Hamilton City Council approved a three-year investment strategy for these funds, aimed at improving access to oral health for residents with limited or no dental coverage. Over the next three years the City of Hamilton and eligible residents will benefit from oral health program enhancements that support an overarching philosophy of moving from solely emergency response to include restorative and preventative care. Highlights of the investment include:

Increase capacity of the Dental Health Bus
$167,400 over three years will enable the City’ Dental Health Bus to provide service for approximately 350 more clients per year, and contribute to fewer emergency department visits due to dental issues. In 2016, the City of Hamilton’s Dental Health Bus provided free dental care to 1,965 low income adults and seniors; 495 people had to be turned away due to the high demand for these services.

• Smiles with Confidence pilot program with Ontario Works - $318,000 over three years will support a “Smile with Confidence” pilot program with Ontario Works clients aimed at supporting 100 working-age adults per year, whose prospects of employability would benefit from dental care. The program will enhance access to dental care and denture coverage to improve confidence self-esteem as well as employability. Poor oral health can be a barrier to employment as it can have an impact on a person’s confidence and social interactions. In Hamilton, about 1 in 16 people say poor oral health has negatively affected their life due to social limitations. Furthermore, with 185,000 Hamiltonians lacking dental insurance, the cost of dental care is the number one barrier to improving their oral health. As a result, it is expected that this program will lead to increased employability, and better quality of life, particularly social well-being.

• Dentures for low-income seniors - $156,800 over 3.25 years will go to enhancing supplemental denture coverage for up to 100 eligible low-income seniors per year to improve quality of life and financial security. The Special Supports unit of the Ontario Works Division in the City of Hamilton provides partial coverage for dentures for eligible seniors. This investment will reduce the out-of-pocket costs for dentures of eligible low-income seniors accessing this service.

• $100,000 will support increasing access to grant dollars for community partners and grassroots programs that enhance access to services for vulnerable populations; and $57,800 over 3.25 years for evaluation.
• The remainder will be endowed with the Hamilton Community Foundation to generate future income that will continue to support oral healthcare locally.

“GSC’s leadership and innovation in corporate philanthropy, combined with the impact they will have on the critical issue of oral health across Canada, are remarkable. It has been inspiring to work with them on this national initiative.”- Sheree Meredith, Vice-President, Philanthropic Services, Hamilton Community Foundation

“We are looking forward to this collaborative effort with our oral health partners and Hamilton Community Foundation to enhance access to dental health care and increase our impact for our most vulnerable citizens. Ultimately these investments improve overall health, quality of life and access to supports and dental coverage in our Community.”-  Paul Johnson, General Manager, Healthy and Safe Communities Department

Additional resources

• Green Shield Canada’s investment in six communities across Canada
• Proposal for Oral Health Program Enhancements (September 10, 2018)
• City of Hamilton Oral Health Report (March 2018)
• Learn more about City of Hamilton Dental Clinics and Programs