Homelessness Impacts Dental and Oral Health

People experiencing homelessness cannot easily access basic dental services due to a lack of money or insurance to cover the cost, and the inability to make and meet appointments. As a result, they have unmet restorative needs and poor hygienic care.

The longer an individual experiences homelessness, the greater the number of missing or decayed teeth and the higher the presence of periodontal disease.

Individuals experiencing homelessness is a special-needs group characterized by an increased prevalence of ill-health, chaotic lifestyles, deprivation and social exclusion. Dental fears and anxieties about the appearance of their teeth are real concerns for this client group.

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Through our onsite Wellness Centre, Haven Toronto provides elder men impacted by poverty and homeless with free access to dental hygienists.