A new outreach initiative in Vancouver is addressing dental health disparities among unhoused and low-income populations by providing free dental care through a mobile clinic. The program is a collaboration between students at Vancouver’s College of Dental Hygiene and the Union Gospel Mission (UGM), a Christian charity serving the downtown eastside neighbourhood.
Since launching in mid-April, the mobile clinic has offered dental services to roughly 140 people this semester, many of whom lack insurance and regular access to oral health care. Students enrolled in the college’s 18-month dental hygiene program volunteer one five-hour shift per week as part of their hands-on training experience. The placement will continue until the end of July, with plans to resume in the fall when a new cohort of students begins their studies.
According to the 2024 Canadian Oral Health Survey, uninsured individuals face significantly higher risks of dental problems, including pain that can adversely affect quality of life. The program aims to bridge this gap by delivering care directly within familiar community settings, helping to reduce barriers such as stigma and mistrust.
Bethan Rogac, a dental hygienist and community coordinator at the college, said many patients show advanced signs of gum disease, cavities, and damaged or missing dental work. Some patients require multiple visits to receive comprehensive treatment. “Everybody needs the care, but it is so inaccessible for certain populations. That is what we are trying to break down,” she said.
Students like Jade Gallano, who expects to graduate this August, described the experience as both rewarding and challenging. “Some people may have more pain or more untreated problems being unhoused,” she noted. “With dental hygiene, you need to be able to work with a wide variety of teeth. So, being with someone who may have more problems is good practice.”
The program is funded in part by Health Canada and forms one of three cooperative placements offered to the college’s 54 students. Different placements serve varied demographic groups, including children aged three to 12 and those over 13.
Nick Wells, media relations specialist for the Union Gospel Mission, emphasized the importance of providing care within the charity’s facilities. “There’s a level of trust. They know where to find us, they know where our drop-in space is and they know how to access us, which makes it easier to help connect them with dental services,” Wells said. He added that the environment helps create a nonjudgmental space where unhoused individuals feel more comfortable seeking care.
By integrating education with community service, the program strives to improve oral health outcomes while teaching future dental hygienists to work effectively with vulnerable populations. Both the college and the Union Gospel Mission hope to expand and continue the initiative as part of their ongoing efforts to address health inequities in Vancouver.