Something to smile about; Clients welcome opening of new health, dental clinic at the Mission

Ottawa Citizen
Saturday, June 2, 2007

Page E10

By Alana Toulin

Photo by Alana Toulin

Posted with permission from the Ottawa Citizen.

When Gary Morrell arrived at the Ottawa Mission in March, he was "amazed" to discover the shelter's Primary Health Care Clinic and Dental Clinic, which opened officially yesterday afternoon.

 

The 48-year old recovering addict was introduced to the clinic a week after his arrival at the Mission, where he was directed after treatment at a detox centre.

"I've been in different treatment centres throughout Ontario," said Mr. Morrell. "I first reached out for help in 1989 when I was 30 years old. From Toronto to Belleville to Ottawa, I have never seen something as encompassing as the one here.

"I think that's so important, because it allows me to move on and continue in my recovery. It's a huge relief knowing I'm not dealing with health issues that are unattended," he said.

Since the end of February, the clinic has provided accessible, no-cost dental care to clients who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Partnered with Ottawa Inner City Health, the clinic's start-up costs were funded by the Community Foundation of Ottawa, Health Teams International and several private donors.

So far, over 200 people have used the clinic's services, says Diane Morrison, the Mission's executive director.

"We have had so many people who have had to have their teeth pulled, and people who have never had their teeth fixed or cleaned regularly. The clinic helps people take care of themselves and helps them get jobs," said Ms. Morrison.

The dental clinic's staff of 25 -- 15 dentists and 5 dental hygentists -- work on a volunteer basis to provide their patients with a full range of dental services, including emergency, preventative, restorative and surgical care. A dental laboratory also offers clients no-cost denture services.

"The only thing we don't provide yet are root canals," says Dr. Tom Harle.

Dr. Harle is involved with Health Teams International, a non-denominational Christian missionary organization that sends teams to third-world countries for short-term clinical work projects. He went on several overseas missions, then realized there was a "huge need" for help at home.

"This is the time to look inward at what you can do to help here," Dr. Harle said. "The homeless population in Ottawa is about 9,000. On an annual basis, we might see a thousand patient visits."

After volunteering for six months at the Shepherds of Good Hope's dental clinic, which works with a limited clientele from the controlled-alcohol program, Dr. Harle said he "took some of their best practices to the Mission and made them more accessible for providers and for clients."

James McNamara is another client who has benefited from the clinic. The

49-year old has been living at the Mission for six weeks.

Mr. McNamara moved to Ottawa from Sudbury several years ago.

"I'm not a city boy by any means, but when I moved to the city I got into the drugs and it was downhill from there," he says of his struggle with addiction and mental illness.

When he arrived at the Mission, he had lost several fillings and was worried about losing his teeth.

"The position I was in at the time, there's no way that I could have taken care of my teeth," said Mr. McNamara.

"After being in an atmosphere like that, with the drugs and alcohol, hanging around with those kind of people, I didn't really feel good about myself. Having just the dental work done, I felt so much better and more self-confident."

Photo: James McNamara, with volunteer dentist Dr. Tom Harle, says since having his teeth cared for at the Mission's new Primary Health Care Clinic and Dental Clinic, 'I felt so much better and more self-confident.'

© Ottawa Citizen 2007