At McLevin Dental, our mission goes far beyond the walls of our Scarborough clinic. We believe that everyone regardless of geography, income level, or background deserves access to high-quality dental care. While our day-to-day work focuses on preventive and restorative dentistry for our local community, our broader purpose includes outreach efforts that extend well beyond the GTA. One such initiative has been our expanding work in rural Ontario.
This blog shares how McLevin Dental has been giving back through rural outreach programs, mobile care efforts, and collaborative missions that aim to bring smiles to underserved communities across Ontario.
The Growing Dental Divide in Rural Ontario
Many people are surprised to learn that in a developed country like Canada, access to oral healthcare is not evenly distributed. In fact, residents in rural and remote areas face significantly higher barriers to receiving regular dental services. Clinics are scarce, transportation is limited, and theres a shortage of dental professionals willing or able to serve small communities.
As a result, many rural Ontarians delay care until pain becomes unbearable, or worse until tooth loss, infections, or other complications arise. Children grow up without preventive services like fluoride treatments or sealants, and seniors often live with broken teeth or poorly fitting dentures.
Bridging this divide has become an important part of McLevin Dentals community mission.
Why We Give Back
We believe that oral health is a human right. Our founder, Dr. Mamdouh Mohamed, who began his career in international settings and later established McLevin Dental in 1997, has always held strong values around access, service, and community care. That ethos still guides our entire team.
Our work in rural Ontario is grounded in:
A desire to make dental care more equitable
A commitment to public health
An understanding that prevention saves lives
And a belief that small actions can create generational change
What Our Rural Outreach Involves
Since 2019, McLevin Dental has partnered with community organizations, public health units, and local school boards to offer dental services and education in several underserved rural areas of Ontario, including towns in Bruce County, Hastings County, and Eastern Ontario.
Heres how we support these communities:
Mobile Dental Clinics
Working with mobile dental units, we send teams of dentists, hygienists, and support staff into rural communities for one or more days at a time. These mobile clinics are fully equipped to offer:
Preventive cleanings
Fillings and extractions
Fluoride treatments
Oral cancer screenings
Pediatric check-ups
For many residents, its the first time theyve seen a dentist in years.
Oral Health Education in Schools
Partnering with local elementary and secondary schools, our team hosts oral health workshops, dental hygiene demonstrations, and Q&A sessions to promote lifelong dental wellness. Children receive age-appropriate instruction, dental kits, and a referral card if further care is needed.
Seniors Outreach in Long-Term Care Homes
Elderly individuals living in rural care homes often suffer in silence with tooth decay, gum disease, and ill-fitting dentures. Our dentists provide bedside screenings, treatment referrals, and denture assessments on-site, ensuring that vulnerable seniors are not forgotten.
Collaboration with Local Practitioners
We also work closely with local dentists and public health professionals to provide supplemental support during peak periods or where gaps in services exist. This collaborative model ensures continuity of care even after our mobile teams leave.
Support Through the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
With the recent introduction of the CDCP, more rural Ontarians are eligible for federally supported dental coverage. Our outreach programs include education on how to register, navigate benefits, and use CDCP funding to access follow-up care whether with us or a local provider.
Why This Matters
Our rural outreach program is about more than dental work. Its about building trust, providing hope, and improving long-term health outcomes in communities that have been overlooked for far too long.
The feedback we receive from patients, parents, school officials, and senior care staff is both humbling and motivating. Whether its a 10-year-old smiling with relief after their first filling, or an 80-year-old regaining their ability to eat solid food, these moments remind us why this work is so vital.
Stories That Inspire
One mother from a small town near Bancroft shared how her son had been in pain for over a year due to an untreated cavity. The family couldnt afford to travel to the nearest dentist, which was over two hours away. Thanks to McLevins mobile clinic, he received care on-site at his school pain-free, with no travel or cost. That same child now brushes twice a day, proudly showing off his “no cavities” certificate from our team.
Building a Healthier Ontario Together
At McLevin Dental, giving back isnt a campaign its a core part of who we are. We view our rural outreach efforts not as charity, but as a shared responsibility to build a healthier, more equitable Ontario.
Were currently expanding our partnerships to reach more communities in 2026, and we welcome collaboration with educators, healthcare providers, and community organizers who believe in oral health equity.