To help design an integrated approach to care at the new Elizabeth Fry Health Centre in Surrey, the UBC Faculty of Dentistry brought patients, students, and practitioners together for a multi-stage engagement process. The goal was to break down traditional clinical silos and figure out how oral health care can seamlessly fit into a community space that supports marginalized women and children. To make sure everyone felt comfortable speaking freely, the project was split into two distinct focus groups. For the first session, Tanya joined virtually to record the experiences of patients and students, while the second session moved in-person with local practitioners and service providers.
The drawings intentionally moved away from sterile or intimidating dental imagery, focusing instead on warm, person-centred themes like safety, dignity, and being truly heard. After capturing the individual sessions, the client brought us back for a final integrated workshop to weave the insights from both groups into a single, comprehensive summary graphic. This final visual serves as a strategic roadmap for the centre’s new advisory group as they build a more holistic model of community care.