In 2005, two well-known and respected Canadian dentists, Drs. Evelyn McNee and John Fraser, spear-headed a fundraising campaign to build and equip a one-chair dental clinic in our health centre. Thanks to their efforts; generous grants from the William J. Spence ICD Memorial Foundation; the Canadian Section of the International College of Dentists; the Foundation of the Pierre Fauchard Academy; and the support of their colleagues and friends, we completed construction and inaugurated the Street Angels Community Dental Clinic in September 2007.
The clinic began treating patients in February 2008. It operates three half days a week and provides basic dental services such as examinations, cleanings, extractions, fillings and X-Rays.
As part of our initial fundraising drive, we appealed for help from the National Brazilian Association of Dentistry in Bahia (ABO/Ba) which responded with a five-year renewable commitment to conduct preventative oral health seminars in the community and treat up to 20 children a week in their first-rate teaching clinic. The ABO/Ba continues to provide supplementary dental services at this clinic.
Being linked to a major professional health organization in Brazil has been a valuable resource. Thanks to our relationship with the ABO/Ba, two girls in our Leadership Training and Scholarship Program were provided with free scholarships for a professional diploma training program for dental assistants.
In 2005, two well-known and respected Canadian dentists, Drs. Evelyn McNee and John Fraser, spear-headed a fundraising campaign to build and equip a one-chair dental clinic in our health centre. Thanks to their efforts; generous grants from the William J. Spence ICD Memorial Foundation; the Canadian Section of the International College of Dentists; the Foundation of the Pierre Fauchard Academy; and the support of their colleagues and friends, we completed construction and inaugurated the Street Angels Community Dental Clinic in September 2007.
