Gospel Mission helps re-open dental clinic

The doors have re-opened to a dental clinic at Cottonwoods in Kelowna.

The Gospel Mission is working alongside UBC's Dentistry program to provide full dental care to extended care clients.

Dental Hygienist Marilynne Fine says the Ethel Street clinic is a "satellite program" of what's already happening at the Kelowna Gospel Mission:

"That clinic is on the second floor, so our clients - mostly requiring wheelchairs or walkers... it's an opportunity for the Kelowna Gospel Mission to open up access to a whole different segment of the population that has not been able to access their programs in the past."

She says, "There is a mechanical lift where we can transfer people out of wheelchairs right into a dental chair."

Arlynn Brodie is another Dental Hygienist who works with the program.  She says, "Pretty much all the services that can be provided in a traditional dental office setting can be provided here at Cottonwoods.  Certainly, the types of procedures that will be performed will be more of the basic nature... extractions, fillings, denture repair."

The clinic takes place once a month at the Ethel Street location, but they're hoping to be open weekly starting this July.

Denise Wong - Kelowna