This community dental clinic offers crucial care to all

Dental care shouldn’t be a luxury.

And at Kelowna’s Gospel Mission Community Dental Clinic, that is the case.

The non-profit is dedicated to serving those who are under or uninsured across the Central Okanagan. It’s a place where anyone facing financial barriers can turn to access crucial dental care.

Lillian Simmons has worked at the clinic for just over year and said it is, “truly the most rewarding job I’ve ever had.”

“I come in here and I feel like I am making a difference all day long,” Simmons said.

She is just one member of a team of licenced dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants who provide comprehensive care to address a range of dental needs.

Access is open to anyone who qualifies, not just those experiencing homelessness or accessing services through Kelowna’s Gospel Mission (KGM).

This is because the team understands the profound impact dental health can have, not only on physical well-being, but self-esteem and confidence.

“I have one patient who fought in Afghanistan and came in here with decay, plaque, broken teeth. He will have a new mouth in a year, and, in the meantime, he is dialed into his own oral hygiene, which is super amazing,” Simmons added.

For Jolene Larson, the story of a woman experiencing domestic violence stands out.

“Her front teeth had been broken from the violence and she had no confidence,” Larson said. “She came here, and we were able to fix her font teeth, and she had built up the confidence to get a job, restart her life, and leave the relationship.”

To learn more about the KGM Community Dental Clinic, visit kelownagospelmission.ca.