The Niagara Community Foundation is granting $100,000 to support Niagara College’s expanded dental teaching and community care clinic.
The grant to the College’s Together campaign is from the NCF’s David S. Howes Fund and helps increase community access to low-cost dental care, while also allowing more dental students to enter the workforce.
The expanded Dental Clinic is part of the 75,000 square foot Health Education building under construction at the Welland Campus. When complete in 2027, the new space will allow for a doubling of enrollments for Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs, and will provide dental care for 3,000 community members, up from the current 1,500 patients who receive treatment each year.
The NCF grant fully equips a dental operatory, including an automated dental chair, modern delivery systems, sink, instruments, storage and specialized clinical equipment. The new clinic will have 40 operatories, an increase from 24.
“NCF is honoured to support the expansion of the Dental Clinic at Niagara College,” said NCF Executive Director, Bryan Rose. “The priorities of the David S. Howes Fund specifically outline healthcare and post-secondary education as top priorities. This type of program alignment not only fulfills the philanthropic wishes of the late Mr. Howes, but supports the pressing needs of our community.”
“Niagara College is deeply grateful to be among the beneficiaries of the Niagara Community Foundation’s David S. Howes Fund,” said Gord Arbeau, NC Vice President, External Relations. “By supporting this meaningful initiative, NCF is helping more students access dental programs and enter the workforce to address chronic workforce shortages. At the same time, the expanded clinic will allow NC to double the number of patients it serves each year meeting an area of great need in our community.”
NC’s Dental Clinic offers vital hands-on training for students in the Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs, while providing essential low-cost dental care including preventative services – examinations, x-rays, cleaning, scaling, fluoride treatments and more – and basic restorative services to a range of community clients. Patient care is delivered by students under the supervision of dental professionals as part of NC’s applied learning approach.
“We are very excited about the future of our growing dental programs and community dental clinic,” said Michelle Thibault, Associate Dean, School of Allied Health Studies. “The new facility will support increased enrolment, enhance the learning experience for our students, and strengthen our ability to provide essential dental care, promote oral health, prevent oral disease, and improve the overall well-being of individuals and families across the Niagara region.”
NCF is a long-standing partner of the College, supporting trailblazing projects through its granting opportunities. Recent funding has supported NC’s Feed the Community initiative, led by the School of Culinary Arts, as well as a student- and faculty-led ecological restoration project from the School of Environment and Horticulture to improve Six Mile Creek tributary water quality and riparian function.
To learn more about NC’s Health Education building and the priorities of the Together campaign, visit niagaracollege.ca/together.
Established in 2000, Niagara Community Foundation has raised over $100 million and has granted in excess of $41 million to charities working in the arts, heritage, environment, social services, health, education and community development sectors. NCF connects donor to causes and communities to resources, turning intent into impact.
A leader in applied education, Niagara College offers diploma, bachelor degree, post-graduate and apprenticeship programs at specialized campuses in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Welland. Consistently ranked among Canada’s top research colleges, NC is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world that provide students with important hands-on-experience. NC welcomes students from across Niagara, Ontario, and around the world who are studying in in-demand programs that support key sectors and industries in Niagara and beyond, with graduates making important contributions in all corners of our community. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.
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Media inquiries, please contact:
Elyse Howarth
Communications Writer
905-329-4910
[email protected]
JoAnne Krick
Director of Grants & Community Initiatives
905-684-8688 x 23
[email protected]