Helping Refugees Access Gentle Dental Services

Refugees and newcomers often arrive in Canada with complex healthcare needs—and oral health is no exception. Many have gone years without access to regular dental care due to financial, political, or systemic barriers. Others may carry trauma from past medical experiences, adding another layer of fear or anxiety to visiting the dentist. For these individuals, accessing gentle, trauma-informed dental services is not just a matter of health, but of dignity, safety, and trust.

At McLevin Dental Clinic in Scarborough, we serve a diverse community that includes many newcomers and refugee families. We believe everyone deserves access to compassionate dental care—regardless of background, status, or previous experiences. In this blog, we explore the unique challenges refugees face in accessing dental services and how clinics can create safer, more welcoming care environments.

Why Dental Care Is Often Delayed or Avoided

Refugees often arrive with urgent or neglected oral health needs. Many have not seen a dentist for years, and some have never received professional dental care at all. Common reasons include:

Limited access to care in their home countries

Financial constraints after resettlement

Language barriers and difficulty navigating healthcare systems

Lack of coverage awareness under government health programs

Trauma or anxiety related to medical or dental procedures

Cultural differences in communication or care expectations

These barriers create a pattern of dental neglect, where people only seek care once the pain becomes unbearable—at which point the experience may be more invasive and more frightening.

How Gentle Dentistry Makes a Difference

Gentle dental care is not just about soft techniques—it’s about creating an emotionally safe experience that respects a patient’s history, identity, and comfort level. This approach includes:

Using calm, non-judgmental language

Offering clear step-by-step explanations

Checking in frequently for consent and comfort

Allowing time for questions and emotional processing

Providing quiet rooms, breaks, or sedation options if needed

These strategies are particularly powerful for patients who have experienced trauma, violence, or forced displacement—many of whom feel vulnerable in medical settings.

Cultural Sensitivity and Communication Matter

For many refugees, navigating a new healthcare system can be overwhelming. Dental clinics can support this transition by:

Providing multilingual materials or interpreter services

Being aware of cultural norms around modesty, touch, and gender dynamics

Using visual aids to explain procedures when language is a barrier

Reassuring patients that their concerns are valid, even if they’ve delayed care

Avoiding assumptions or judgment about past health decisions

At McLevin Dental, we understand that building trust takes time—and we honor each patient’s unique journey.

Helping Refugees Understand Their Options

Many newcomers are unaware that they may qualify for dental coverage under:

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) for refugee claimants

Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

Child and youth dental programs like Healthy Smiles Ontario

Community outreach programs or clinics offering reduced-fee services

We help patients navigate these systems by clearly explaining coverage, offering cost transparency, and supporting with documentation when needed.

What Clinics Can Do to Be More Refugee-Friendly

To serve refugees more effectively, dental practices can:

Train staff in trauma-informed care and cultural humility

Create welcoming environments that reflect diverse communities

Offer flexible appointment options and allow extra time for visits

Build partnerships with local newcomer support organizations

Proactively ask patients if they need help with translation, forms, or financial planning

Even small acts of kindness—like offering tea, explaining a form slowly, or giving a patient more time to decide—can dramatically reduce anxiety and improve trust.

Final Thoughts

For refugees and displaced individuals, dental care is more than a medical service—it’s a chance to feel safe, respected, and seen in a new country. By offering gentle, compassionate dental services rooted in trauma-informed and culturally aware care, we can help rebuild more than just oral health—we can help rebuild confidence and connection.