Breaking down barriers: towards the development of a low-cost community dental clinic in Prince George, British Columbia

Access to dental care for all population groups in Canada is inequitable. While the overall dental health of Canadians is very good, there are disparities that primarily affect the financially disadvantaged in society. Current methods for delivering dental care demonstrate an economic gradient favoring more affluent members of society. An examination of the methods for financing dental care, both public and private, will be conducted to better understand the challenges to solving this dilemma. The role of government and dental professionals in providing access to dental care will be explored. The existing gaps in dental care delivery will be illustrated, and the current methods for providing dental care in northern British Columbia will be identified. While continued government support for disadvantaged groups is necessary, an investigation of alternative models of low-cost dental care delivery will be undertaken to determine the feasibility of these models in Prince George, British Columbia. Solutions that are being used in other nations will be considered to determine their applicability to our local situation in northern British Columbia. A preferred model will be proposed for implementation in Prince George. Ultimately, two questionnaires will be developed to assess the attitudes and preferences of dental professionals and social agencies in coming to a consensus on the best model for bridging the existing gaps in dental care. --Leaf i.