If there was a positive takeaway from the COVID-19 pandemic it’s that there is now a greater focus on the importance of personal health and wellness. Two years of isolation and social distancing provided a great opportunity to look inward and consider our individual health needs. That included our mental health, our physical health, and in a growing number of cases, our oral health.
A healthy mouth is essential to a healthy body.
Good oral health makes it possible for people to smell, taste, chew, swallow, speak and smile. People who do not practice good oral hygiene are at a higher risk for developing serious oral conditions and diseases. In fact, oral diseases are among the most common noncommunicable diseases worldwide, affecting an estimated 3.5 billion people.
Even with our health care system and various employee benefit plans, not everyone has access to the regular dental checkups and care required to monitor individual dental health. That’s a major reason why one local dentist office decided to do something to help individuals who could benefit from an oral examination.
Bisson Dentistry, a Guelph dental clinic founded by Dr. Andre Bisson, is once again offering its annual free dentistry event in June.
“The inception of the idea was five years ago when we felt there was a need to give back to the community,” explained Jennifer Dunsmoor, Community Leader with Bisson Dentistry. “There are a lot of marginalized people who still don’t have access to dentistry services.”
Bisson Dentistry’s Fifth Annual Big Heart Dentistry event is being offered to individuals 18 years or older who are unable to afford regular dental treatment. The initiative is modelled after the US-based Dentistry from the Heart program that began over 16 years ago.
“When we started this in 2018 we decided it would be a completely local event,” said Dunsmoor. “We source out our local business community to help support it. Everyone in our office works for free. It’s a great community event.”
The Big Heart Dentistry event runs from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on June 23rd at Bisson Denistry’s location at 199 Woolwich Street in Guelph.
The event is held on a first come first serve basis, so individuals looking to attend the event are advised to arrive early and wait outside the office doors. While the number of potential individuals served will depend on the treatments they need, the clinic commits to treating at least the first 40 people in attendance. In previous years the clinic has managed to treat up to 70 individuals. COVID-19 policies will remain in effect given the nature of the event. Participants will have a choice of a complimentary filling, extraction, or hygiene visit.
The entire team at Bisson Dentistry will be involved in the event, including Dr. Brookelyn Pettigrew, one of the dental professionals hand-picked by Bisson Dentistry founder Andre Bisson to offer services at the clinic. Born in Mississauga and having graduated both University of Toronto (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and University of Buffalo (Advanced Education in General Dentistry), Dr. Pettigrew accepted the role at Bisson Dentistry specifically because of the clinic’s commitment to the community.
“I loved how involved Bisson Dentistry is in Guelph,” said Dr. Pettigrew. “From free dental days and sports sponsorships to volunteer work and Random Kindness Days. I want to be a part of that!”
Throughout her residency, Dr. Pettigrew was exposed to a wide arrange of patients with complex medical and treatment needs, allowing her to better serve her current patients. Working with marginalized populations has also fostered her passion for preventive dentistry and has given her invaluable experience treating highly anxious patients.
“I have made it my mission to create a tranquil environment, so that people can feel comfortable and at ease during their dental visits.”
Dr. Pettigrew and the entire team at Bisson Dentistry invite you to share the word about this vital community service happening June 23rd. To learn more, visit Bisson Dentistry online.