Red Deer dental clinic helping low-income, uninsured patients – CBC
Many of clinic’s patients struggle with mental health and addiction
Oct 26, 2023
A public health dental clinic opened in Red Deer is growing in demand.
The clinic, which opened in June, has seen almost 150 patients.
Many of them struggle with addictions and mental health, said Dr. Heidi Rabie, the chief of public health dental clinics in Alberta and the medical lead.
Treating dental problems can help people avoid sinking deeper into addictions, she said.
When a person feels severe dental pain, Rabie said, they might be inclined to seek medication on the street, “with disastrous outcomes.”
High-needs population
The clinic collaborates with hospitals, community services, mental health and addictions services, and shelters, which refer patients to the clinic, Rabie said.
