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, who do not have dental benefits, will qualify for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program.
Care will be provided through public health units, community health centres and Aboriginal Health Access Centres across the province by a new publicly-funded dental care program that will begin in late summer.says Christine Elliott, Minister of Health.
It's expected to cost $90 million annually when fully implemented.
In 2015, there were almost 61,000 hospital emergency visits for dental problems, at a cost to Ontario’s health care system of approximately $31 million.Once the program is launched, seniors will be able to get an application form from the ministry’s website or public health unit. Applications will be assessed, and eligible clients will be enrolled in the program.
Two-thirds of low-income seniors do not have access to dental insurance.
