Tom Harle, BSc, DDS, D(Pros), MSc, FICD(C) - Prosthodontic Dental Care

Dr. Tom J. Harle

CM, CD, BSc, DDS, D(Pros), MSc(Pros), FICD(C), FACD, FPFA

— [email protected]

With gentle hands and a kind heart, Dr. Harle is devoted to giving his patients the highest quality of dental care. He has committed a considerable measure of his professional life to enhance access to dental health for impoverished people in Canada and abroad. Early in his career, he spent time helping disadvantaged indigenous people receive needed dental care in Ontario’s Northern Communities (Sandy Lake and Pikangikum). Concerned with the levels of poverty in developing countries over the years, he has volunteered abroad to work in some of the most impoverished and dangerous areas of the world including North Korea, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

Continuing his commitment to the wider community, in 2001 he lent his creativity and vision to found and lead Health Teams International (Canada) – a non-denominational Christian missionary organization which seeks to share hope and help to those in need through the provision of short-term healthcare teams.

Motivated by his faith, in 2006 Dr. Harle initiated a volunteer-driven “No-Cost” Dental Centre at The Ottawa Mission that focuses on improving the dental health of Ottawa’s homeless community and those living in local shelters suffering from mental illness, poverty and substance abuse.

In 2012 he launched a Portable Ottawa Dental Service (PODS) to help coordinate free dental care to meet the oral health needs of low (or no) income parents and their children at various support centres across Ottawa (St. Mary’s Home, Youville, Centre and Bethany Hope Centre).

Dr. Harle graduated first in his class in both his undergraduate BSc. degree at Carleton University (1976) and in his Dental program of studies at the University of Toronto (1980). He went on to complete Prosthodontic Specialty training and a Master’s of Science in 1990 in which he received a UofT “Scholarship for Excellence”. Blessed with energy and commitment, he has several papers to his credit in the fields of dental health and implant rehabilitation.

In 2005, he was honored with induction as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists of Canada and in 2012 was recognized with the “Oral Health Promotion” award from the Canadian Dental Association as well as a “Community Service Recognition Award” from the Ontario Dental Association. In 2014 he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada in acknowledgement of his efforts to mobilize the natural compassion of the dental profession.  In 2016 his efforts were honored with an “Alumni of Distinction Award” from the University of Toronto and induction a a Fellow of the American College of Dentists in 2017. In 2018 he was selected for Fellowship into the Pierre Fauchard Academy.

He has also lent his support to professional groups including the Ontario & Canadian Dental Associations, the Christian Medical-Dental Association, and the Association of Prosthodontists of Canada. His efforts have earned him a reputation of credibility and integrity among the dental profession. Continuing to awaken the social consciousness of others, he encourages Canadians to assume responsibility for aiding their fellow citizens in building a more inclusive and caring society.