Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliott says her government is setting aside $90 million for dental care for low income seniors.
Elliott says this is part of their campaign to end hallway medicine because many seniors with dental problems end up in hospital.
She notes “Ontarians aged 65 or older with an annual income of $19,300 or less, or couples with a combined annual income of $32,300 or less, who do not have dental benefits will qualify.”
It’s estimated 100,000 low-income seniors in Ontario will benefit from the new program, including 518 in the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area.
Elliott says seniors can apply to the new program on-line at https://www.ontario.ca/page/dental-care-low-income-seniors
You can also access the program through the Northwestern Health Unit, community health centres or aboriginal health access facilities.
Services covered include: dental exams, cleanings, fillings, x-rays, extractions, root canals, periodontal services, and dentures.
For more information, call 1-855-407-6452 and press #1.
