No images? Click here Issue 9 - Spring 2021Virtual Oral Health ServicesThe pandemic has changed how we interact with our client’s and deliver oral health services to the community. At Public Health, we are reaching the community in new ways by offering online oral health presentations, supplying select community agencies with oral health kits, and hosting Facebook live events with dental professionals. Additionally, we now offer Tele-dental services! Niagara residents are able to enter a secure online chat and speak with an oral health professional about their child’s oral health concerns. This new technology also allows us to offer virtual assessments and screenings for children experiencing a dental emergency. By conducting a virtual assessment, we are able to enroll children on the Emergency and Essential Services Stream of the Healthy Smiles Ontario program. If you have a client who has questions about how to enroll on Healthy Smiles Ontario, please visit our website to connect with us. School ScreeningsUnfortunately, COVID-19 has interrupted many dental services at Public Health. To abide by Ministry recommendations and best practice, it is with regret that we will not be conducting school screenings during this school year. Our hope is that in the 2021-2022 school year, we will be able to resume dental services within schools. We remain committed to providing oral health education and assisting families in gaining access to regular dental care. Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO)Reminder, if you encounter a client with an expired HSO card that needs emergency dental treatment, your dental office can enroll the client. If you are unsure how to enroll a client on HSO-EESS please contact our dental program for assistance. Alternatively, we are able to virtually screen clients and enroll on HSO in the same day! Do you have a client with questions about Healthy Smiles Ontario? Please direct them to call our dental info line at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7399 and we can assist them. Ontario Seniors Dental Program (OSDCP) UpdateWithin the Niagara region, several OSDCP clinics are nearing completion, and will soon be able to provide restorative and preventive services for eligible seniors. If you have questions about the Seniors program, client eligibility, or the services offered, please contact us. |