Item - 2023.HL4.1

The Board of Health recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to enter into agreements, on an ongoing basis, with Community Health Centres, Aboriginal Health Access Centres, hospitals, and/or health care agencies, and academic institutions in Toronto for the purpose of delivering mandated dental and oral health services that are fully funded by the Province of Ontario and within the approved Toronto Public Health budget, in accordance with applicable program and funding guidelines, on such terms and conditions that are satisfactory to the Medical Officer of Health and in a form approved by the City Solicitor.

The Director, Public Health, together with Liben Gebremikael, Executive Director, TAIBU Community Health Centre, and Mohammed Masoodi, TAIBU Community Health Centre gave a presentation on Expanding Access to Dental and Oral Health Services for Torontonians, and the programs at the TAIBU Community Health Centre.

Toronto Public Health's (TPH) Dental and Oral Health portfolio implements a range of initiatives that improve the health status of Torontonians, with a particular focus on the city's most vulnerable residents. This report provides an overview of TPH's historical and current efforts in this area, and outlines current work to expand service through 1) constructing new TPH-operated dental clinics and renovating existing ones and 2) expanding partnerships with community organizations, hospitals and academic institutions that allow TPH to extend its reach, address community-specific needs, and enhance referral pathways to other health and social services. The report recommends that the Medical Officer of Health be authorized to enter into agreements for the delivery of these services.