Short CommunicationOpen Access

Exploring an Alternative Model for the Delivery of Outreach Dentistry to At-Risk Youth

Volume 5 - Issue 4

**Les Kalman*¹ and Elham Vakili²**

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- ¹Department of Restorative Dentistry, Western University, Canada
- ²Faculty of Dentistry, Mc Gill University, Canada
*Corresponding author: Les Kalman, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Coordinator, Dental Outreach Community Service, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond StreetN6A-3K7, London, Ontario, Canada

Received: June 02, 2018; Published: June 13, 2018

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.05.001221

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Abstract

At-risk youth represent a population of individuals between 15-30 that have a disconnection from future education and/or employment. These individuals have limited access to oral care due to restricted finances. This report examined a novel approach for the delivery of dental care through a collaboration between a community agency and a dental school that was funded by a private insurance company. The two-year program aimed to screen 200 patients and deliver free dentistry limited to extractions, endodontics, periodontics and restorative dentistry. One hundred and twenty-six patients were screened, forty-five patients remained in an active phase of treatment, seventeen patients had their treatments completed and sixty-four patients were deactivated. The total cost of treatment was $31261.00. The program fell short of its aim but provided oral care to a number of patients, provided an educational experience for dental students and highlighted several challenges and rewards with this alternative model.

Keywords: Oral Health; Community Dentistry; Dental Outreach; At-Risk Youth