Seniors with no insurance coverage can get free dental procedures during the Give Back Smile Back initiative offered by Family Dental Care April 14 and 15, during national Oral Health Month.
Those 55 plus can get their teeth cleaned, filled or extracted at the four Prince George locations of Family Dental Care including River Point Plaza, College Heights, Spruceland or downtown on Victoria.
Staff from each location will be donating their time to the project.
"Since it's Oral Health Month we thought we'd partner with the Prince George Council of Seniors and try to give back to the community that's given so much to us over the years," Megan McEwen, a practice manager at Family Dental Care, said. "We know there are lots of seniors in town that don't necessarily have the financial means for dental treatment."
Partnering with the Prince George Council of Seniors (PGCOS), those interested in getting treatment should make their appointments through the PGCOS by calling 250-564-5888 Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"We have room for 60 or 70 people to go to the dentist, which is really awesome," Lola-Dawn Fennell, general manager for PGCOS, said.
According to statistics 53 per cent of Canadians between 60 to 79 years have no dental coverage, Fennell said.
"Sixteen per cent decline treatment due to the cost, 23 per cent of those with no coverage avoid certain foods, so this affects your nutritional well being," she added. "We were so pleased when Family Dental Care approached us with this project. We're always looking for help for seniors' oral health."
Appointments are available on Saturday at the downtown and Spruceland locations, while Sunday appointments are available at River Point Plaza and College Heights.
All four locations are accessible by public transit, making it convenient for low income seniors.
McEwen said the staff would like to encourage seniors in need to reach out and make an appointment.
"We'd love to give back and support seniors in need of dental care this year," McEwen said. "All of our teams are so excited and proud to be part of this Give Back Smile Back initiative and we're all looking forward to it."
