Starting Saturday, February 4th, 2017 The Canadian Dental Charity Foundation, in partnership with the Dental Charity Ball, will be offering a new dental assessment and dental education service at the Caldwell Family Center. The service provider, Karen Ergus, a Dental Hygienist and lawyer, will be providing periodontal assessments, planning treatments and evaluating outcomes of clients’ dental hygiene needs. In addition, children will receive fluoride treatments. All services will be provided free of charge through the Caldwell Family Centre that provides services for vulnerable and low-income individuals and families in the Carlington area.
Marilyn Matheson, Executive Director, Caldwell Family Centre, and Karen Ergus, Dental Hygienist/Lawyer, cut the ribbon to open the new dental program.
“I am excited and happy to be providing these services to individuals who could not other wise afford them” said Ms. Ergus who is volunteering her time to this program. “I am doing so in honour of my nephew Julian Weekes, who was killed in April 2016, Oral Health month, before he had the opportunity to reach his greatest potential,” added Ms. Ergus. Julian Weekes was twenty-seven year old young man who at an early age lived in a low-income area where he was exposed to drugs and gangs that influenced his life in a damaging way. Julian’s desire to change his life in a positive way was cut short on April 2, 2016. The Dental Education and Assessment Dental Clinic at Caldwell hopes to facilitate access to oral health services for children, youth and families of low-income status so they can understand the connections and importance of oral health and overall health. In addition, children and youth will be able to practice healthier habits and make decisions that will help them achieve their highest potential despite the circumstances of their environment. Individuals will be able to have a sense of pride and self-esteem that will help them be leaders of their lives.
“We are extremely grateful to the Dental Charity Ball, Canadian Dental Charity Foundation and Karen for making these services available to our clients and families”, said Marilyn Matheson, Executive Director of the Caldwell Family Centre. To receive these free services please call for an appointment at 613-716-2304.
For more details, please see our poster. (548 KB PDF file)
