Alec Gunning Save a Smile Fund
News
Scotiabank recently donated $22,000 to the Save a Smile Campaign. Since 2006, Scotiabank has donated $62,000 to the program.
As the corporate sponsor of Save a Smile, Ms. Patty Scrase says, “We are pleased to partner with dentists to contribute to this worthy charity and help children get the treatment they need to bring back their smiles.”
About
The Alec Gunning Save a Smile Program is a program of the BC Dental Assocation, in conjunction with the Dentistry Canada Fund (DCF). Funds raised through an annual drive of the dental profession and affiliated businesses provide treatment to underprivileged children in need of urgent dental care or support the Alec Gunning Save a Smile Endowment. The program reached an endowment status in 2003 as the result of a major estate gift in that.
FAQ
Why do we have the Save a Smile program?
While members of the dental profession all contribute in some way to their community, the SAS program serves as a concerted effort of professional goodwill. We appreciate that there are financial hardships being experienced by some residents of BC, and as a result some children may not be getting dental care. While there is government assistance for some, others fall between the cracks. We know that good dental health is essential to overall health, and we feel that this is a very worthwhile project.
How are children selected for program treatment?
Children are usually identified through school oral health screenings or by their dentist. They must meet specific financial and oral health criteria and not have any other dental plan coverage. These are normally children who are in pain because of an abscess or have tooth decay throughout the mouth. These children often won’t smile or eat properly because of theextensive problems in their mouths.
To qualify financially, their income must be comparable to income assistance rates that are set out by the government.
What does the program do?
The purpose of the program is to restore children’s dental health and to help the family maintain that level of dental health through oral hygiene counseling. This counseling is provided by the public health dental staff to the whole family.
Is this a province-wide program?
Funds are available throughout the province. Some areas have less of a need, or rely on other means to help out, such as local foundations. In Vancouver, for instance, there are low-cost clinics that help low-income families.
Who should I contact if I think a child may be eligible for Save a Smile funding?
Please contact the public health representative in your region if you have a patient who may qualify for SAS funding.
Anita Vallee - Central Vancouver Island and Capital Region
ph: 250 755 7855
Carol Gulliford - Interior Health
ph: 250 980 5082
Carolyn King - Fraser Health
ph: 604 476 7046
Carol Charbonneau - North Shore/Sea to Sky/Sunshine Coast/Powell River
ph: 604 904 6203
Linda Bourcet - Northern Health
ph: 250 263 6027
