Monday, December 16, 2013
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Ontario Providing Free Dental Care to More Kids
Ontario is expanding eligibility for free dental care to 70,000 more children and youth in low-income families, to help break down barriers and provide them with more opportunities for success.
Starting April 2014, the province will increase access to oral health services such as cleanings, diagnostic services and basic treatment by expanding eligibility for the Healthy Smiles Ontario program. The province will also streamline six existing dental programs into one starting in August of 2015, making it easier for families of eligible children and youth to access timely dental care.
This expansion is part of Ontario's five-year Poverty Reduction Strategy. The 2013 Annual Report released today, highlights progress made since the strategy was launched in 2008. It also outlines the results of recent consultations that will help shape a new five-year strategy, to be released in early 2014.
Ontario's progress on poverty reduction includes:
- More than 47,000 children and their families were lifted out of poverty and 61,000 were prevented from falling into poverty between 2008 and 2011.
- Over one million children in 530,000 families are being helped by the Ontario Child Benefit.
- Almost 184,000 four- and five-year-olds and their families have benefited from full-day kindergarten at approximately 2,600 schools across the province.
Providing free dental care and helping to break down barriers for low-income children and youth is part of Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy and delivers on Ontario's Action Plan for Health Care, by providing the right care, at the right time, in the right place. This is part of the government's plan to invest in people, build modern infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate.
Quick Facts:
- The child poverty rate in Ontario fell from 15.2 per cent in 2008 to 13.6 per cent in 2011.
- Though preventable, tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease, affecting 57 per cent of children and 59 per cent of adolescents.
- In young children, cavities can contribute to poor nutrition, affect their ability to speak clearly, and impede the growth of healthy adult teeth.
- Last year, an estimated 300,000 children and youth were enrolled in or were treated by Ontario’s low-income programs.
Learn More:
Quotes:
"Good oral health is an important component of good overall health. That’s why we have taken important steps to increase access to free dental services for more kids in low-income families and to make it easier for families to access oral health services."
— Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
"I am proud of our government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy over the past five years that has helped children, youth and families in communities across our province. Only by working together with community partners and other levels of government can we continue to break down barriers, provide opportunities and create more prosperity for all."
— Teresa Piruzza, Minister of Children and Youth Services
"At Toronto Public Health, we see firsthand the difference it makes for children, youth and families to have access to affordable, preventative and emergency dental care. I am very pleased the Ontario Government is making it easier for residents to access this essential care under one streamlined program."
— Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health, Toronto Public Health
Media Contacts:
David Jensen
Communications and Marketing Division
416-314-6197
media.moh@ontario.ca
For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline
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(Toll-free in Ontario only)
Media Line
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media.moh@ontario.ca
Samantha Grant
Minister’s Office
416-326-4905
David Mullock
Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Minister’s Office
416-212-3394
Courtney Battistone
Communications Branch
416-325-5156
For Public Inquiries:
Call toll-free
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