Our Team
Our Board
Dr. Amanda Morel, Founder
As a practicing dentist in Toronto, I was surprised to discover that low-income patients often fall between the cracks when it comes to accessing dental care. In 2012, I joined a team of volunteer dentists at a low-cost clinic in Scarborough. Through this experience I was able to see the impact of our dental care on the smiles, confidence, and lives of our patients. It became clear to me that the need for this valuable service extends beyond the Scarborough area. This led to the vision for Filling the Gap Dental Outreach, enabling local access to dental care for low-income Torontonians across the GTA. My motivation stems from my Christian faith and I am excited to see the impact of this service on the lives of those most vulnerable in our city.
Paul Wismer, Treasurer
As an accountant, currently working at Norton McMullen, I am excited to be able to use my accounting skills to serve on the board of Filling the Gap Dental Outreach. I have always been passionate about helping underprivileged and marginalized individuals whom society has a tendency to neglect or overlook. I am excited to be part of the team at Filling the Gap Dental Outreach because of this organization’s Christ-like approach to caring for the practical needs of those in our community.
Ara Jeknavorian, Board Secretary
Filling the Gap provides much-needed help to those that do not have easy access to vital dental care. I am honoured to be able to contribute my skills and passion to this team to help with the vision that provides this service. I am a project manager and hold a management position at Oliver Wyman Vector, a Marsh McClennen business.
Dr. Cherry To, Volunteer Dentist
Since graduating as a dentist from Western University in 2006, I have seen how toothaches, broken teeth, and dental infections can severely impact a person’s life; add to that barriers such as not having a regular dentist, financial constraints, taking time off from work to access care and it can leave an individual overwhelmed. My hope is that people of all backgrounds would be able to receive dental care in a timely and effective manner through our work at Filing the Gap. I believe God calls us to love and care for everyone using our gifts and skills, and I am pleased to participate as a volunteer and on the board level to fulfill its mission.
Our Volunteers
It is a great privilege for me to be a part of this amazing team! As a practicing dentist in the GTA, I have learnt that there are an increasing number of people in our community who struggle to get proper dental care due to financial constraints. As a volunteer dentist, I share their burdens by providing appropriate dental services. Whether you are a fellow volunteer or a patient in need of dental care, I am looking forward to meeting you all.
Volunteering has helped me utilize my professional skills of dentistry for a wider communal impact. FTG has provided me with an opportunity to provide dental care to patients who cannot access private dental treatment. It has also provided me with a better understanding of dental problems that exist in these patients and how we can provide for them. It has been a highly fulfilling experience and I would highly recommend other dentists to volunteer at Filling The Gap
The best experience I’ve had so far working with Filling The Gap is working with like-minded and passionate individuals helping patients who are having trouble finding affordable dental care. Many of the patients need emergency dental treatment for gum disease and we often do extractions or emergency fillings to relieve them from pain. I find my time with Filling The Gap very satisfying as you can provide immediate relief for patients who usually have financial constraints and very little resources to get any help. The volunteering environment is very friendly, and patients are very appreciative of all the work we do for them.
The best thing about volunteering with Filling The Gap for me is the sense of fulfilment that comes with giving back to our profession and the people we serve. The skills that we have truly matter to the people who come to the clinic. I find that the biggest needs are basic dental care like pain management, broken teeth, extractions or periodontal therapy. Patients are in pain and distress and have limited financial resources and are unable to find clinics that can help them. So, Filling the Gap truly fills the gap for these people so that they continue with their lives and work and get the treatment they need. I find the experience overall very rewarding and its’s a great release from the busyness that comes from working in a typical dental office. The simplicity and the gratitude from the patients I serve makes my work very meaningful.