The Canadian International Dental Foundation Inc. (CIDF) was founded by a Canadian dentist, Dr. Stewart Gillies, in response to the Haiti earthquake of 2010. The Foundation has been active in Haiti during the last decade, travelling extensively around that country, assessing needs and delivering care through mission trips involving up to 15 dental professionals per trip. Canadians have a long history of peace keeping and foreign aid. Yet Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere, continues to face significant economic and social challenges. “By any standards it had been a long day. Our recent arrival in Haiti after the earthquake was, to put it mildly, very difficult. We were there as two Canadian dentists interested to see what could be done. We had arranged a series of meetings with charities, journalists, international aid organizations and lastly with the Minister of Health and the Vice Dean of the Dental School”. (extracts of commentary from Dr. Stewart Gillies upon the inception of CIDF). For 10 years the CIDF has participated in the prevention of dental deterioration, pain, and suffering for people in need throughout the world. The CIDF aims to participate in the provision of dental services and dental equipment to places of need.
Read MoreLending a hand in Haiti just doesn’t benefit the locals. The volunteers who spend time in this country of roughly eleven million, the most populous Caribbean nation, return with a different perspective. “For everybody who goes there, they come back changed”, says Dr. Gillies. “There is a quietness about them. We never complain about anything again.”
We are always looking for motivated and caring individuals to help aid those in need.
The CIDF prides itself in bringing positivity and hope where ever it goes. By joining the CIDF you’re not only giving to a good cause, but you’re becoming an ambassador to a better way of life, for those receiving and those providing the aid.
Because here at the CIDF it’s not about one specific cause or crisis, it’s about all of them. It’s about bringing capability and possibility together by operating within diverse cultures and areas with the common goal of happiness and prosperity.
See below to contact us and find out how you can get involved!
Read MoreWith a financial donation to the CIDF you can be certain that your funds are being used to support our efforts on the ground.
The thought of helping fund such a task can be daunting, but in places of extreme misfortune, as little as one Canadian dollar can go a long way to helping provide for people who are struggling on a day to day basis.
Your donation will go to helping solve gaps in health and general prosperity of those who are less fortunate.
To assist with a financial contribution, please click on the above “DONATE” button now!
CIDF operates in places where nothing is taken for granted. In the field, quality equipment and instruments are paramount in providing aid that would be otherwise out of reach.
The donation of equipment and supplies is just as important than any dollar amount or hands on contribution. In places such as Haiti, the challenges around specialized equipment were severe, and in our case required the creating an entire clinic from scratch in order to house and service these advanced pieces of technology.
Due to the unique challenges, it is not just dental equipment that is needed, in places where power can be scarce, a donation of a simple extension cord that runs from a generator can be the difference that allows countless people to receive that care they so desperately need.
Nothing is taken for granted. If you think you can help by providing supplies or equipment, please provide information about what you have available to donate in the “How To Get Involved” section below and we will get back to you.
