A New Foundation: BC's Dental Sector Innovates to Secure Care for Kids

VANCOUVER, BC – June 29, 2026 – The British Columbia Dental Association (BCDA) today announced a significant strategic pivot with the launch of the BCDA Oral Health Foundation, a new charitable entity designed to fortify and expand access to dental care for the province's most vulnerable residents. This organizational innovation marks a new chapter for the 35-year-old 'Save a Smile' program, which provides urgent dental treatment for children in need, restructuring its operations to ensure its long-term survival and impact.

The new foundation will take over the administration of operating funds for 'Save a Smile,' a move aimed at creating a more robust and agile funding structure. This initiative represents more than a simple administrative shuffle; it's a calculated response to the growing pressures on community health programs and a blueprint for sustainable healthcare philanthropy in an era of increasing need and shifting donor landscapes.

A New Structure for a Proven Lifeline

For 35 years, 'Save a Smile' has been a critical safety net, operating through a partnership between the BCDA and the University of British Columbia's (UBC) Faculty of Dentistry. The program has delivered over $1.9 million in essential dental care to more than 3,000 children across British Columbia, powered by a network of over 125 volunteer dentists. However, to meet the escalating demand, a more resilient model was required.

The transition to the BCDA Oral Health Foundation is designed to provide that resilience. By centralizing fundraising and financial management under a dedicated charitable body, the BCDA aims to create what it calls a "more streamlined, flexible, and sustainable approach." This structural innovation allows for professionalized, year-round fundraising efforts specifically targeted at the program's needs, moving beyond the limitations of previous ad-hoc or grant-dependent funding cycles.

"Save a Smile has always represented the heart of our profession, ensuring every child can access urgent dental care, regardless of circumstance," said Dr. Jillian Belbin, President of the BCDA, in a statement. "This new Foundation reflects our commitment to growing that impact and strengthening the BCDA's collaboration with UBC Dentistry for years to come."

Dr. Angelique Leung, Chair of the BCDA Save a Smile Committee, emphasized the strategic advantage of the new model. "This new structure allows us to ensure funds are directed where they can make the greatest impact," she noted, highlighting the foundation's ability to focus resources with greater precision.

The Economics of a Healthy Smile

The financial stakes are clear. The 'Save a Smile' program requires approximately $180,000 annually to continue its work, a figure that reflects the growing demand for urgent pediatric dental care. In a climate where Canadian charitable giving patterns are in flux and demand for services has surged post-pandemic, securing this level of funding year after year is a significant challenge. The foundation is the BCDA's answer to this challenge.

By establishing a formal, registered charity, the organization can deploy a more diverse and sophisticated fundraising strategy, including corporate partnerships, major gift campaigns, and public appeals, all while providing donors with the transparency and accountability they expect. This professionalization is critical for building a stable revenue stream that can weather economic shifts and ensure the program's continuity.

While the new foundation focuses on securing operational funds for clinical care, the partnership with UBC Dentistry continues in a redefined capacity. UBC will remain the steward of the Alec Gunning Save a Smile Endowment Fund, a permanent fund established by a Victoria dentist's estate. This fund will now be dedicated to supporting vital education and research activities within the Faculty of Dentistry, creating a symbiotic relationship where the foundation funds the immediate care, and the university advances the underlying science and training.

"This renewed partnership between UBC Dentistry and the BCDA ensures that research, education, and clinical care continue to align in support of BC's most vulnerable children," stated Dr. Andrea Esteves, Dean pro tem of the UBC Faculty of Dentistry.

Addressing a Widening Oral Health Chasm

The launch of the foundation is not happening in a vacuum. It is a direct response to a stark and persistent public health issue in British Columbia. Despite overall improvements in dental health, significant disparities remain. Provincial data reveals a deep chasm between the province's most and least affluent children. In some regions, kindergarteners in the lowest-income neighborhoods have a cavity rate of 40%, compared to 27% in the highest-income areas. Indigenous children, meanwhile, face a cavity rate over 21 percentage points higher than their non-Indigenous peers.

For many families, the cost of private dental care is an insurmountable barrier. The consequences are severe, extending beyond pain and infection. Extensive dental decay is a leading cause of day surgery for children under five in BC, a traumatic experience for a child that costs the public healthcare system over $3.5 million annually. Programs like 'Save a Smile' intervene before such crises occur, providing essential care that prevents suffering and reduces the burden on acute care facilities. The foundation's mission is to ensure this intervention can continue and, ultimately, grow.

Beyond Pediatrics: A Blueprint for Broader Access?

While securing 'Save a Smile' is the foundation's immediate priority, its charter allows for a much broader mandate. BCDA leadership has indicated that the foundation may eventually expand to support other oral health initiatives, transforming it from a single-program vehicle into a provincial platform for tackling systemic access issues.

This forward-looking vision aligns with pressing challenges identified across the industry. The BCDA's own 2026 Oral Health Report highlighted workforce shortages and an evolving policy landscape as significant threats to care delivery. The new federal dental care plan, while welcomed, requires complementary provincial strategies and a robust workforce to be effective. The BCDA Oral Health Foundation could become a key player in developing and funding those strategies, from supporting community clinics in remote areas to initiatives aimed at improving care for seniors.

By creating a sustainable financial engine, the foundation not only protects a vital program for children but also builds an asset for the future of oral health in British Columbia. It provides a stable framework that can support the province's volunteer dentists and attract new ones, ensuring that the spirit of giving back that has defined 'Save a Smile' for decades has a secure home. This strategic restructuring is a quiet innovation, but one with the potential to reshape how critical healthcare gaps are addressed across the province for years to come.