Dental benefits for low-income Ontarians needed sooner rather than later

January 29, 2015
For Immediate Release

Simcoe – Access to proper dental and oral health care improves lives and reduces costs on our health care system.

Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett said it’s time the Wynne government start making good on its commitment to extend dental benefits to all low-income workers by 2025. This was a commitment in last year’s budget.

“Nearly a year has gone by and the government hasn’t taken any steps forward on this issue,” Barrett said. “And it’s one that impacts so many people. In our area there are people who go to work every day but have trouble making ends meet let alone spend hundreds of dollars on their teeth.”

Barrett went on to say that this past December Premier Wynne proposed to lower the income-based eligibility for preventative dental services by half – she eventually backed down but this move would have disqualified thousands of children from publically-funded dental care they currently receive.

“Premier Wynne has a majority government and therefore the ability to make dental care for low income earners a top priority,” Barrett said. “Ontario must address the patchwork of programs for children and adults and work with the dental community to find the best possible solutions.”

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For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 905-765-8413 or 1-800-903-8629