McGill University's Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences and the Welcome Hall Mission celebrated the completion of the Jim Lund Dental Clinic expansion project, which started in October 2023.
Established in 2011 in partnership with the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, the Jim Lund Dental Clinic at Welcome Hall Mission has long been recognized for its commitment to helping Montrealers in need with free dental care.
Thanks to a major gift from GreenShield, the support of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the partnership of the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences at McGill University and the contribution of foundations, corporations and individual donors, the clinic has expanded its offering from three to six chairs- effectively doubling capacity and services.
People who will benefit from this expansion include Montrealers experiencing homelessness, low-income earners, seniors, children from disadvantaged backgrounds and new arrivals to Canada. All of whom would not have otherwise been able to receive essential dental care.
For McGill, this expansion aligns with the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences' educational and community service missions and its commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
"The clinic's expansion would not have been possible without the generous support from GreenShield, and the commitment of the Ministry of Health and Social Services to this project. We will be able to serve more people in need while training our dental medicine students in becoming socially responsible dentists. We are very grateful for our partnership with Welcome Hall Mission. Together we are ensuring the good oral health of our community because everyone deserves to show off their smile", Dr. Elham Emami, Dean, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences at McGill University.
GreenShield, Canada's only non-profit health and benefits company donated $1.35 million to this expansion to underline their commitment to expanding oral health services to underserved and equity-seeking individuals across the county.
"This modern, expanded, free dental clinic is another example of how Welcome Hall Mission is working with partners like McGill's Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences and GreenShield to redefine how services are delivered with excellence to those in need in Montreal", Sam Watts, CEO, Welcome Hall Mission.
The newly expanded dental clinic will operate with an annual budget of around $500 000 per year- a number which will undoubtedly grow as the needs do. Ultimately, Welcome Hall Mission is up to the challenge and is overwhelmingly recognizant of its loyal donors who continue to help us provide services and care to Montreal's most vulnerable people.
