Item - 2020.HL13.7

The Board of Health:

1.  Authorized the Medical Officer of Health to undertake a three-month pilot of an alternate service delivery model for Toronto Public Health's Mobile Dental Clinic program, effective February 1, 2020, to prevent a disruption in dental services for marginalized clients.

2.  Requested the Medical Officer of Health to report at the end of the three-month pilot of an alternate service delivery model for Toronto Public Health's Mobile Dental Clinic program in Part 1 above with:

a.  a review of its performance, including the demand for the service, client experience, treatments given, and the oral health status of clients; and

b.  information on any additional funds required to sustain the Mobile Dental Clinic program.

The Mobile Dental Clinic (MDC) program has been in operation since August 2012. The objective of the program is to provide dental services to marginalized clients, in particular, individuals accessing services at City of Toronto-run shelters, employment centres, and newcomer centres.

In order to operate the MDC, the vehicle requires the Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration to be renewed by passing an inspection. On November 22, 2019, during a routine maintenance inspection of the vehicle, it was identified that the MDC needs considerable repairs due to rusting of the vehicle's framework. The MDC has been deemed inoperable until such time as the repairs are completed and the vehicle passes inspection.

The inoperability of the MDC presents an opportunity for Toronto Public Health (TPH) to run a three-month pilot of an alternate service delivery model that will maintain the dental service for clients. Under this model, Street Outreach Workers would accompany MDC clients to a fixed address clinic through a designated visit. The model would also be designed to reduce dental anxiety, be convenient for the clients, and minimize the potential social stigma and the associated anxiety of sitting in waiting rooms with other clients. This approach would help allow TPH to test the effectiveness of these features while ensuring marginalized clients continue to receive dental services.