Pediatric Dentistry Outreach Program: transforming lives through smiles
Thanks to the partnership between the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry at the University of Alberta, hundreds of kids receive essential oral care they need each year, for free.
During a recent visit to the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry, the dentistry students had the opportunity to share some key highlights that show the remarkable effect of the Foundation’s support for the Pediatric Dentistry Outreach Program.
From September to November 2024, the School treated 421 kids, performing a total of 2,722 procedures—all at no cost to the patients or their families, including:
- 213 kids treated through the School Visit Program
- 149 kids from the Metis Nation of Alberta
- 59 kids through the SHINE Program (Student Health Initiative for the Needs of Edmonton)
These groups reflect kids who may not have access to necessary dental care without the Foundation’s support due to financial barriers, knowledge gaps or logistical challenges making it difficult to schedule and keep appointments.
With continued support from the Foundation, the School of Dentistry looks forward to continuing to grow the Pediatric Dentistry Outreach Program over the next four years, providing more than 2,000 kids with full oral health assessments, customized treatment plans, education and overall well-being.
Through this partnership and donor support, lives are being changed and smiles are being restored—one kid at a time. The School is grateful for the Foundation’s continued dedication and looks forward to making an even greater impact together in the future, with plans to expand the program’s reach even further in the coming months and years.
