Council returned from Christmas break with their first Board of Health meeting for 2016.
Senior’s dental programs, community health promotion in disadvantaged communities, and restructuring of health care with the elimination of the CCACs were the main topics of discussion at today’s meeting.
Seniors Dental
The City is launching a pilot project to improve knowledge of oral health among caregivers for seniors who are not able to access services due to mobility or health issues.
The City will work to have personal support worker teaching institutions improve knowledge of oral health for students, increase outreach to long-term care facilities, and will work with the city-run Macassa Lodge to launch a fluoride varnish program as a preventative measure to prevent cavities in vulnerable seniors.
Many councillors, including Jackson and Whitehead, want to see a larger program in more facilities and in the community.
Staff will report back in a year on this pilot.