TD Bank Group’s $1 million gift in support of Baycrest’s Alpha Omega Dental Centre for Geriatric Care and Education Centre was recognized with a reception and tour of the renovated clinic. For Baycrest, the event capped off a year of celebrations to mark 100 years of innovations in the care of older adults and the field of aging.
With older adults becoming the fastest growing dental patient population and highly vulnerable to oral disease as they age, the Alpha Omega Dental Centre at Baycrest, with support from TD Bank Group, helps meet an increasingly urgent need in comprehensive services tailored for this demographic.
As one of only two geriatric dental clinics of its kind in Canada, this state-of-the-art centre for evidence-based geriatric dentistry is designed to serve adults with cognitive impairment, complex medical conditions, or physical disability and frailty. The special equipment and space design allows Baycrest to serve a greater population of those living with a wide range of illnesses and disabilities. Staff members at the Centre are particularly attuned to the special needs of these patients and are trained to have the expertise and knowledge required to treat and care for older adults.
Julitta Burns, 83, who went several decades without seeing a dentist due to fear, visited the Centre when restoration became an urgent concern. Her fear dissipated quickly as the team’s assurances put her mind at ease. ”Excellent is not enough to describe the experience,” said Burns.
In honour of their generous support, the waiting area of the Sydney and Florence Cooper Outpatient Clinics, is now called the TD Welcome Area.
“It is only through the generosity of our donor community, and corporate sponsors like TD Bank Group, that we can create spaces at Baycrest that serve the specific needs of older adults, such as the new Alpha Omega Dental Centre. This Centre is an invaluable addition to the clinical services offered at Baycrest, providing dental care to older adults who can’t be accommodated in general dental practices,” said Josh Cooper, President and CEO of the Baycrest Foundation.
“I want to thank TD Bank Group for their impactful contribution which helped make our dental centre a reality - and helped us install a special dental chair lift for patients who need to remain in their wheelchairs, it’s an incredible tool,” added Cooper.
TD Bank Group has also made a significant impact to Baycrest’s education programs. For the first time in Canada, there are now more seniors than children. By 2025, 20% of the population will be over 65. With TD Bank Group’s support to enhance education and training offerings in 2017-2018, Baycrest can prepare the next generation of clinicians and researchers who specialize in the care of older adults.
"We know that when people are confident about their health, they feel more confident in themselves. That's why, through The Ready Commitment, TD's corporate citizenship platform, we are proud to support the Alpha Omega Dental Centre and the Education Centre at Baycrest. Our $1MM gift will help bridge the gap which exists in training, education, and delivery of older adult health care," said Andrea Barrack, Vice President, Global Corporate Citizenship, TD Bank Group.
Baycrest is one of Canada’s top geriatric teaching hospitals, training more than 1,000 students annually, and with the support of corporate sponsors like TD Bank Group, we are committed to preparing future healthcare professionals around the world to care for our aging population.