Dentists Head to Queen’s Park for Dental Program Funding

Ontario’s five dental programs are massively underfunded and that has to change

TORONTO, ON — Hailing from every region of the province, dozens of dentists are heading to Queen’s Park on Wednesday to tell MPPs the time has come for the province to finally take care of its dental programs. The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) is leading the charge for the province to step up and do their part for the most vulnerable members of our communities, even with a federal dental program on the way.

While the ODA has met with the federal health minister a couple of times since the summer to give input on the creation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan, Ontario’s five dental programs are still badly underfunded. The ODA is pushing the province to properly invest in programs like Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) for kids 18 and under from low income families to give them a better chance at having a lifetime free from dental problems.

This is especially important since Ontario has the worst dental care spending record in the entire country, investing only $4.99 per person on public dental services compared to the national average of $15.53.

ODA President Dr. Lisa Bentley says, “The Ontario government must take responsibility for their dental care programs. Even with a new federal dental plan in the works, Ontario still needs to fund its existing programs. It’s the right thing to do and will help lessen the burden on the province’s struggling health care system.”

The ODA has been Ontario’s primary source for dental information since 1867 and represents over 10,000, or 90 per cent, of dentists in the province. You can find more details on the CDCP and what it can mean for you on our website at ODA.ca.