ENHANCED DENTAL PROGRAM BENEFITS BRITISH COLUMBIANS

VICTORIA – Government is investing over $47 million over three years to improve access to dental treatment for young children and low-income families, Health Services Minister Shirley Bond and Human Resources Minister Susan Brice announced today.

“Our government is committed to helping British Columbians achieve and maintain excellent dental health through its focus on children and the more vulnerable members of society,” said Bond. “These dental programs will focus on providing services based on prevention of disease, promotion of health and reduction of barriers to oral health services.”

“Dental services are so very important for B.C. families and we want to be sure low-income families have better access to dental care,” said Brice. “We know this funding will make a healthy difference in people’s lives.”

Dental decay is the most common chronic condition of childhood and is directly related to a person’s wellbeing. A range of measures to enhance dental health is being launched, including:

· Placing post-graduate dental residents in communities where access to dental service is a challenge, through a partnership between the Ministry of Health Services and UBC faculty of dentistry

· Funding to support dental treatments for children who have a severe genetic condition, (ectodermal dysplasia) affecting the teeth, through a partnership with the Ministry of Health Services and Provincial Health Services Authority, through Children and Women’s Health Centre of B.C.

· Launching an educational campaign in partnership with the B.C. Dental Association to inform parents and caregivers on how best to prevent dental decay in young children.

· Increasing dental coverage for children in families on income assistance as well as those receiving MSP premium assistance (Healthy Kids Program).

“We’re very pleased that the ministry has decided to partner with us on this enormously important community initiative” says Edwin Yen, dean of the faculty of dentistry. “By expanding our number of resident positions, we will be able to provide increased dental care to B.C.’s most vulnerable communities who do not have access to regular dental care while also enhancing the learning experience for the dental residents who treat these patients.”

“We appreciate government’s recognition of the importance of good oral health in children,” said Dr. Ed O’Brien, president of the B.C. Dental Association. “Preventive programs will save tax payers money and more importantly save young smiles.”

Dental conditions that affect children such as tooth decay and gum disease are fundamentally preventable. Once they occur, they are treatable. Lasting oral health can be built on a solid foundation of prevention.

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1 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:	Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Health Services 250 952-1887	Richard Chambers Communications Director Ministry of Human Resources 250 387-6489

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