Issue 1 - March 2023

Smile! April is Oral Health Month.

To celebrate Oral Health Month, Niagara Region Public Health's Dental Program and the Niagara Peninsula Dental Association will be hosting dental events at various EarlyONs across Niagara. The events will be offered to all children from birth to six years old.

These events will provide the following free services and support to families:

• Dental assessments and fluoride varnish applications
• Interactive dental activities
• Oral health education
• Dental service navigation

All events will begin at 9 a.m. and will be offered at the following EarlyON centres:

• April 18 - Lincoln EarlyON
• April 19 - Grimsby EarlyON
• April 20 - Connaught EarlyON
• April 24 - Mary Ward EarlyON
• April 27 - MacBain EarlyON
• April 28 - Niagara-on-the-Lake EarlyON 

Please refer any families or clients that you think may be interested to these events.

NEW Outreach Registered Dental Hygienist

During 2022, Niagara Region Public Health conducted a Health Equity Impact Assessment to evaluate our Fluoride Varnish Program. Based on the results and recommendations, a new outreach registered dental hygienist role has been integrated within the Dental Program.

This new role will focus on creating equitable and accessible dental services to priority populations across Niagara. Our outreach registered dental hygienist will be traveling to various organizations, homes and events within Niagara. Children 17 years old and under will be offered the following free services:

• Dental assessments
• Fluoride varnish applications
• Oral health education
• Navigation to dental programs/services

The goal of this role is to reduce barriers often found with accessing oral health care and help children establish a dental home.

Niagara's Mobile Dental Clinic

The Mobile Dental Clinic is back on the road to offer dental clinics across Niagara throughout 2023. New this year, the Mobile Dental Clinic will be travelling to 13 locations as Fonthill has been added as new location! Children and youth 17 years and under can receive the following free dental services on board:

• Dental assessments
• Scaling and polishing
• Fluoride varnish applications
• Dental sealants
• Oral health education

Our team can also help enrol eligible children and youth to Healthy Smiles Ontario. Clients can book an appointment by calling 905-688-8248 ext. 7399 or live chat with the Dental Team. Translation services are available by phone and live chat.

Let's Celebrate Niagara's Dental Professionals

Niagara Region Public Health's Dental Program would like to recognize the following celebrations:

• Certified Dental Assistants Recognition Week: March 5 - 11
• National Dentist's Day: March 6
• Oral Health Month: April
• National Dental Hygienists Week: April 4 - 10

Thank you to all of Niagara's dental professionals for your dedication to oral health.