Dental Treatment Assistance Fund Gets a Fundraising Hand
Written by admin, June 13, 2013
June 13, 2013 – Residents Encouraged to Support Tag Day at Local Retailers on June 14
Peterborough union workers will be out in full force this Friday, June 14 encouraging residents to donate to the Dental Treatment Assistance Fund, the Peterborough and District Labour Council’s (PDLC) charity of choice for this year’s Day of Caring.
“We are proud to support a local cause that does so much to transform people’s lives by helping them access urgent dental care,” said Paul Brown, Coordinator, Labour Programs and Services for the PDLC.
Union workers can be found supporting their community on Friday, June 14 at local Beer Store locations and are inviting Peterborough residents to stop by to help support the Dental Treatment Assistance Fund (DTAF).
Across Canada, United Ways and Labour Councils are hosting tag days to support their communities and to highlight local initiatives that presently require funding. The Peterborough Labour Council decided to support the local cause, DTAF, which is administered by Peterborough Public Health. It helps hundreds of local adults living on low incomes who do not qualify for government assistance access emergency dental services.
“Public health receives at least 15 calls per week from individuals living on low incomes who are suffering from acute dental pain caused by infection or trauma and we often advise that there is nothing we can do to help because they do not qualify for government assistance programs,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health with Peterborough Public Health. “For many, DTAF is their only option.”
Dr. Salvaterra noted that 1 in 5 Ontarians do not visit a dentist because they cannot afford it. DTAF is a key component to the adult community; however the program functions solely on donations. In 2012, a total of 115 people between the ages of 18 and 82 received support from DTAF. The average cost of emergency treatment from the fund was $122 per person.
At Peterborough Public Health, the oral health program offers a range of services for eligible children, youth and adults in our community. For more information, visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca or call 705-743-1000.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391