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Health Unit Dental Clinic officially open for business

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit News Release ************************ Today, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit celebrated the Grand Opening of their new Dental Clinic for children and teens aged 17 and under. Dr.


North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
News Release

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Today, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit celebrated the Grand Opening of their new Dental Clinic for children and teens aged 17 and under. Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health, and Monique Smith, M.P.P. for Nipissing, officially opened the doors at 700 Cassells Street, North Bay with a brief ceremony before noon.

Attendees included the planners, builders, businesses, professionals, community partners and Health Unit staff who had a role in supporting the project. Tours of the new facility were provided by the Oral Health Team.

The fully equipped Dental Clinic will be staffed by a new full-time dentist, Dr. Melissa Dent; Registered Dental Hygienists; Certified Dental Assistants; and support staff. With the new dentist’s arrival, the clinic for children and youth 17 years of age and younger, can now provide full dental treatment eligible under the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program, Children in Need of Treatment Program or other income support programs.

For more information about the Oral Health programs, call the Health Unit at 705-474-1400, ext. 2468 or 1-800-563-2808 or visit www.healthunit.biz.

Quotes

“The opening of the Dental Clinic will help to improve the health of children and youth in our district. The support of the Ministry of Health for the opportunity to expand our oral health program is greatly appreciated. I would like to welcome our new dentist, Dr. Melissa Dent, who joined our Oral Health team this week. I also want to thank all the planners, builders and Health Unit staff who helped develop the Dental Clinic.”
- Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health

“Every year our oral health team screens students in schools and finds a large number of children with tooth decay. Our Oral Health Report showed that in the school year ending in 2009 over 4,300 children were screened and 640 of them had tooth decay. The health of a child’s teeth and gums affects their overall health. With the new Dental Clinic, we will be able to help more children have access to cleanings, fillings, x-rays and more.
- Pat Walpole, Manager of Oral Health Program

Quick Facts

 Tooth decay is one of the most common diseases in children.

 Many oral diseases, including tooth decay are preventable. If found and treated early, they can be controlled.

 Canadian children lose one million schools days each year due to dental problems or dental care.

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