Dr. Derval Clarke says the introduction of a national dental care program is long overdue and should improve the dental health of millions of Canadians.

A local dental office plans to give away $1,000 a month for 10 months to an individual or family in need, or an organization that has been supporting the community during the pandemic.

Every year for the past five years, dentist Derval Clarke has travelled from Thunder Bay to his home country of Jamaica to volunteer his services. But this year, he instead visited Wunnumin Lake First Nation, a remote fly-in community 360 kilometres northeast of Sioux Lookout.

Dr. Derval Clarke has been practicing dentistry for more than five years, and while he prides himself on helping make people smile a little brighter, he can’t help but smile himself when he is helping those who may not have regular access to dental care.

As far as he can remember, U of T Scarborough alum, Dr. Derval Clarke always wanted to help people. “Helping people is just part of me,” he says. “Whatever career I chose, it would have been one that helps people.”