Sage Dental Hygiene creates healthy smiles in long-term care homes

Photo: Contributed

Sage Dental Hygiene founder Jenna Smith brings oral care to care homes.

If you or a loved one live in the Okanagan, Shuswap or Kamloops region and have issues that prevent trips to a dental office, a terrific new option has arrived.

Sage Dental Hygiene is bringing vital oral health services directly to those who need it most across the Okanagan Valley, Shuswap and Kamloops regions—most notably seniors and individuals with mobility or cognitive challenges who are unable to visit a traditional dental clinic.

“Many people, including individuals with disabilities and those in long-term care, struggle to access regular dental hygiene services simply because they cannot physically get to a clinic,” Sage Dental Hygiene owner and founder Jenna Smith says.

“For clients with dementia, receiving care in the comfort of their own surroundings is particularly important in helping reduce anxiety and confusion, creating a more relaxed environment that feels safe and supportive for them.”

Smith is a longtime dental hygienist and native Vernonite whose great grandparents settled in the area in the early 1900s. After earning a bachelor’s degree in dental science from UBC and Camosun College, Smith returned to her hometown in 2010 to continue her career. After 18 years working as a hygienist, it was a conversation she had with a client in 2021 that served as the catalyst for Sage Dental Hygiene.

“He asked if I knew of any mobile dental hygienists who could visit his wife in long-term care,” Smith says. “I did some research and quickly realized there was a huge gap in accessible dental hygiene care for seniors and others in long-term care who have difficulty getting to a traditional dental office.

“That’s when I knew I could make a difference and decided it was time to step up and fill the void myself. It felt like the perfect way to make a meaningful impact.”

Sage Dental Hygiene provides comprehensive dental hygiene care, including exams, cleanings—scaling and root planing—polishing, temporary fillings, cavity prevention and individualized oral health education. By meeting clients where they are, the service supports improved well-being, dignity and quality of life.

Sage Dental Hygiene is also the only Okanagan-based mobile dental hygiene business currently accepting the Canadian Dental Care Plan, a federal program aimed at improving access to oral health care by removing financial barriers for many clients.

“Another aspect that sets Sage Dental Hygiene apart is our personalized approach to care,” Smith says. “We prioritize meaningful interactions with our clients and their families, taking the time to understand their unique needs and concerns, and creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that encourages them to prioritize their oral health.”

New clients who mention seeing this article on Castanet are eligible for a special promotion running until Aug. 31.

Learn more about Sage Dental Hygiene or sign up for an appointment on its website here.

This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.