Gift from dentalcorp to support critical skills shortage

By College Relations | August 27, 2021
           

Gary and Sharmaine Powell in the dental clinic at Okanagan College's Health Sciences Centre.
Sharmaine and Gary Powell, founders of Carrington Dental Centre and members of dentalcorp, inside Okanagan College’s dental clinic. (Note: photos were taken prior to current health restrictions on masks.)

With shortages of Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs) across Canada, dentalcorp is investing in a local solution with a gift to the Our Students, Your Health campaign.

Canada's leading and fastest-growing network of dental practices, dentalcorp is giving $35,000 in support of a new dental clinic inside Okanagan College's Health Sciences Centre. The modern clinic will educate CDAs for the Okanagan and beyond.

“It’s important to our network and our industry as a whole to foster innovative, best-in-class professional development, among our next generation of clinicians,” explains Guy Amini, President, dentalcorp. “We know that working with cutting-edge technology under the guidance of industry-leading instructors will attract talented, ambitious individuals to dentistry and help fill the many current and emerging roles we have today.”

With a network of over 430 practices across Canada, dentalcorp has four clinics in Kelowna and 12 across the Okanagan. dentalcorp's gift will support a dental operatory and a new panoramic X-ray room for students. Okanagan College has been educating CDAs since the 1970s.

“We are so excited to welcome students to this state-of-the-art clinic in September,” says Joanne Gibbons-Smyth, Chair of Okanagan College’s CDA program.

“Support from organizations like dentalcorp is making it possible for our students to receive a world-class education and fill in-demand roles in our community. Thank you to dentalcorp for investing in students. It’s a gift that pays incredible returns.”

The Okanagan College Foundation is $1 million away from reaching its $5-million fundraising goal for the new Health Sciences Centre. The foundation is inviting businesses and the public to give in support of health-care students and ensure the Centre is equipped for face-to-face learning when students return to campus in the fall.

To learn more or to give, visit www.OurStudentsYourHealth.ca.

About dentalcorp:

dentalcorp is Canada's largest and fastest-growing network of dental practices, committed to advancing the overall well-being of Canadians by aiming to deliver the best clinical outcomes and unforgettable experiences. dentalcorp acquires leading dental practices, uniting its network in a common goal: to be Canada's most trusted health-care network. Leveraging its industry-leading technology, know-how and scale, dentalcorp offers professionals the unique opportunity to retain their clinical autonomy while unlocking their potential for future growth. Learn more at http://www.dentalcorp.ca.



Tags: OC Foundation, Health Sciences Centre, Health and Social Development, Certified Dental Assistant, Inside OC

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