Queen's Park has announced an additional $25 million to expand access to the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program. The money was announced Tuesday by Premier Doug Ford, health minister Chrstine Elliott and seniors minister Raymond Cho.
"Our government made a promise to Ontario's low-income seniors that we would provide them with free, routine dental care ― and we are keeping that promise," said the premier. . "As part of the next phase of the program, we are enhancing our commitment, which includes more mobile dental clinics. We are bringing critical dental care right to the doorstep of our seniors and allowing for better treatment in underserviced areas.
The province said the additional funding will be used to build new dental clinics and make upgrades and expansions to existing clinics at public health units, participating community health centres and Aboriginal Health Access Centres. These projects are expected to be completed by March 31, 2021.
The news release said the money will be distributed to nearly 80 different clinical projects across the province, as follows.
-50 projects will receive $11.6 million to support existing clinics with upgrades and expansions;
-28 projects will receive $13.3 million to build new clinics that will help provide dental services in underserviced areas, which includes eight new mobile dental clinics.
The specific amounts of money for specific parts of Ontario have not yet been revealed.
"Our government is investing in dental infrastructure projects across Ontario to ensure low-income seniors will have better and faster access to the services they need, no matter where they live," said Minister Elliott. "The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program is a key part of our plan to end hallway health care by providing seniors with access to quality dental care and keeping them out of hospitals."
Eligible seniors can apply to the program online, or by picking up an application form at a local public health unit.
Ontario is investing approximately $90 million annually in the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program, said the release from Queen's Park. The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program provides free routine dental care for eligible low-income seniors across the province who do not have dental benefits. Ontarians aged 65 and over with an income of $19,300 or less, or couples with a combined annual income of $32,300 or less will qualify for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program.
Once fully implemented, the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program will serve approximately 100,000 low-income seniors annually. Two-thirds of low-income seniors do not have access to dental insurance, said the release.
