Operated through the Green Shield Canada
Clinic at the University of Toronto
The One Smile Research Program aims to determine how access to basic dental care impacts individuals, their families, the healthcare system, and society overall. This research program will inform policy debates around the universal coverage of dental care in Canada, and maybe even around the world.
WHAT IS THE ONE SMILE RESEARCH PROGRAM?
Dental care is not part of universal healthcare in Canada. Many people have to pay for dental treatment out-of-pocket. This can be costly, and accessing affordable dental care may be difficult for some.
The One Smile Research Program will help selected participants get the care they need. At the same time, a diverse group of researchers at the University of Toronto will investigate the impacts of regular access to dental care on individuals, their families, the healthcare system, and society overall.
Since dental care is not part of universal healthcare in Canada, many people have to pay for dental treatment out-of-pocket. This can be costly, and therefore accessing affordable dental care is difficult for some and they do not get the care they need.
The One Smile Research Program aims to help those in need of dental care, get the treatment they need. This program offers cost-free dental care to individuals and families who do not currently have access to regular dental care. At the same time, a diverse group of researchers at the University of Toronto will investigate the impacts of access to quality oral health care.
Since dental care is not part of universal healthcare in Canada, many people have to pay for dental treatment out-of-pocket. This can be costly, and therefore accessing affordable dental care is difficult for some and they do not get the care they need.
The One Smile Research Program aims to help those in need of dental care, get the treatment they need. This program offers cost-free dental care to individuals and families who do not currently have access to regular dental care. At the same time, a diverse group of researchers at the University of Toronto will investigate the impacts of access to quality oral health care.
Since dental care is not part of universal healthcare in Canada, many people have to pay for dental treatment out-of-pocket. This can be costly, and therefore accessing affordable dental care is difficult for some and they do not get the care they need.
The One Smile Research Program aims to help those in need of dental care, get the treatment they need. This program offers cost-free dental care to individuals and families who do not currently have access to regular dental care. At the same time, a diverse group of researchers at the University of Toronto will investigate the impacts of access to quality oral health care.
Since dental care is not part of universal healthcare in Canada, many people have to pay for dental treatment out-of-pocket. This can be costly, and therefore accessing affordable dental care is difficult for some and they do not get the care they need.
The One Smile Research Program aims to help those in need of dental care, get the treatment they need. This program offers cost-free dental care to individuals and families who do not currently have access to regular dental care. At the same time, a diverse group of researchers at the University of Toronto will investigate the impacts of access to quality oral health care.
WHAT WILL PARTICIPANTS BE ASKED TO DO?
During the five-year study, participants will be invited to the Green Shield Canada Clinic at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, to receive the dental care they need, planned specifically for them in consultation with the study dentist.
Participants will be required to complete surveys and provide biological samples at different times (e.g. saliva and blood). Each appointment and the number of appointments over the five years will vary in length depending on the treatment required for their oral health needs.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS RESEARCH?
The purpose of this research study is to see what effects receiving cost-free dental care has on participants and their family’s health and well-being. This includes their oral health, overall health, pain levels, as well as social factors like life satisfaction, employability and more.
We know that people who can’t access dental care often go to hospital emergency rooms or their doctor’s office looking for treatment. So as part of this research study, we want to see whether providing people with access to dental care decreases the burden on the healthcare system. We also want to know if providing dental care decreases the time people lose away from work or school due to dental problems.
To study this, we have a diverse team of researchers in place, whose expertise and training spans public health, oral epidemiology, social epidemiology, healthcare delivery, health economics, health policy, immunology, periodontology, and beyond. Ultimately, we are hopeful that the information gathered from this study may help policymakers work towards a universal dental care program for Canada that provides access to dental care for all Canadians.