The Georgian College Dental Hygiene Clinic opened its doors wider on November 4 to showcase its services to the public.
Located at the Barrie campus, this student-led clinic offers a range of dental services, including oral health assessments, X-rays, teeth cleaning, and preventive care. The students gain valuable hands-on experience while providing essential services to clients.
Marie Comeau, a Barrie resident, visited the clinic for dentures and expressed her gratitude for the school’s offerings. “It got me the teeth that I needed because I didn’t have any on one side or the top,” she shared with BarrieToday. Comeau discovered the clinic through an advertisement on Kijiji that sought individuals in need of dentures.
“I had been thinking about it for a long time. I needed partial dentures for both the top and bottom, so I called and here we are,” she said. “The quality is fantastic. They take it one step at a time, and while it takes longer, it’s worth it because you end up with dentures,” she added, smiling brightly.
The clinic’s students work under the supervision of experienced dental professionals, allowing them to gain practical skills while helping clients. Ashlee Lockyer, a denturism student since 2019 from Maple, highlighted her appreciation for the spacious and well-lit learning environment. “Being able to provide denture replacements for the elderly means so much to me. It changes their confidence and helps them smile again,” she said.
Margaret Pratt, another Barrie resident receiving a partial denture replacement, praised the clinic’s services. Having worn a partial denture for over 50 years, she remarked, “This place is absolutely amazing. I don’t think the public is as aware of it as they could be because they sometimes have trouble getting enough clients for their students.”
Pratt emphasized the importance of co-op placements for students in hands-on programs. “The ability to have co-op placements is essential,” she noted.
Students are encouraged to recruit their own clients, which can be challenging alongside their studies. Lisa Buchanan, director of clinics and placements at Georgian College, acknowledged this difficulty but also recognized its benefits. “I wish we didn’t have to do that because they already have a lot on their plates with learning,” she told BarrieToday. “However, it’s good practice for them as future practitioners to understand how to recruit clients and communicate effectively with denture patients.”
The denture clinic serves approximately 200 to 250 clients each week during its 14-week semester. Many clients rely on disability benefits like the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) for assistance.
“Some people don’t qualify for the full amount under the Canadian Dental Care Plan based on their income,” Buchanan explained. “It can still be expensive to get dentures made, so we help fill that gap for those in need.”
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