Saskatchewan Polytechnic's annual Health and Wellness Day continues to break down barriers to care for Regina residents while giving students hands-on experience in a real clinical setting.
This year's event brought together students, faculty and community dental professionals at Sask Polytech's Regina campus to provide free dental and oral health services to 48 clients referred through local non-profit organizations, including Regina Open Door Society, Ukrainian Canadian Congress and Regina Food Bank, as well as current Sask Polytech dental clinic patients.
Clients received care ranging from oral exams and hygiene services to restorations, routine extractions and patient education. The services, completed at no cost to clients, represented $51,000 in dental treatment.
Image credit: Saskatchewan Polytechnic
More than 100 volunteers including dentists, dental therapists, denturists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, faculty, staff and students donated their time and expertise. Clients were screened in advance, allowing volunteers and students to focus on delivering treatment efficiently and safely.
Sask Polytech has been offering free services to Regina residents through Health and Wellness Day since 2012, helping support people who face financial, cultural or systemic barriers to oral health care.
"Health and Wellness Day brings together a committed team of students and professionals to deliver essential care to the community," says Robin McKay Ganshorn, clinical coordinator and instructor in Sask Polytech's dental programs. "It also creates an exceptional learning environment where students gain confidence and experience while working together toward a common goal."
Image credit: Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Students from Sask Polytech's Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting and Dental Therapy programs collaborated throughout the day, working under the supervision of licensed dental professionals. For students, the event provides an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting and to understand the social impact of their profession.
"We are proud to improve access to oral health care for those facing barriers by participating in Health and Wellness Day," says Breanna Tourigny, year two Dental Hygiene student. "We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute and make a meaningful impact in our community."
"Seeing everyone come together to donate their time and expertise is incredibly rewarding. We have enjoyed organizing this event and are proud to have been a part of helping those who cannot afford dental treatment. We are proud to improve the oral health of individuals facing barriers to care to improve their quality of life," says Hannah Gehmlich, year three Dental Hygiene student.
Hands-on clinical learning allows students to build technical skills while developing communication, teamwork and patient-care competencies skills that are essential as they prepare to enter the workforce.
Image credit: Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Sponsors played an important role in the success of Health and Wellness Day by supporting the supplies and services that made the event possible. Sask Polytech thanks its 2026 sponsors: 123Dentist, the nutritional sponsor and Dentsply Sirona, a gift-in-kind sponsor. Additional thanks go to supporting sponsors: Capital Automotive Group, COBS Bread, Costco, Henry Schein, Landmark Dental, OralScience, Real Canadian Superstore and Rybchuk Catering.
For more information
400 - 119 4th Avenue South
Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Canada S7K 5X2
www.saskpolytech.ca
