The Editor,
As important as dental health is to our overall health, dental care is not covered by BC Health Insurance.
To those with limited incomes and/or family responsibilities, but without employment benefit plans to cover dental costs, even basic dental care is often unaffordable.
However, one of our local heroes and a small army of volunteers offer a remedy. Dr. Doug Nielsen, of Steveston Smiles Family Dentistry, colleagues, members of his staff, Richmond Hospital Auxiliary Volunteers, and doctors and students from the UBC School of Dentistry, held one of their biannual free dental clinics at the Richmond Hospital.
They put in a 12-hour day and I was, once again, one of the many beneficiaries of this clinic, receiving a cleaning and check up at no charge.
So, I sincerely thank Dr. Nielsen, his wife Susan and all the other doctors and their staff, the volunteers at the hospital, and especially Amanda, the final-year student, who did my cleaning in a very professional and thorough manner.
I want them all to know how grateful I, among many, are for their help.
Ramblin’ Ryan Lake
Richmond
