Government announces improvements to children�s dental health program  

Health and Community Services Minister Tom Osborne today officially signed an agreement with Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association�s President, Dr. David Wright, to enhance the children�s dental health program in the province.  The new agreement sets out an increased contribution by government for dental services received by all children, meaning government will remove the financial burden carried by the parents, benefiting approximately 67,000 children in the province.  

�The health and well being of the children of this province is a priority for our government and oral health is an important part of a child�s overall health.  Early dental care intervention, combined with sound oral hygiene practices, will have a positive impact on the health of our children well into their future, said Minister Osborne.  �Through an increased investment in the children�s dental health program, Government will eliminate the costs for dental services for children ages 12 and under, thereby ensuring that children have access to quality dental care, regardless of their financial situation.�  

In Budget 2006, government announced a $4.1 million investment to improve the effectiveness of the children�s dental health program.  As outlined in the agreement signed by the minister and the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association, government will significantly increase the fees under the MCP Payment Schedule, bringing them more in line with the levels in the NLDA�s own fee guides.  This will eliminate the need for �balance billing,� which was a significant financial barrier to children visiting their dentist.  

�The Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association is first and foremost pleased that government recognizes the importance of oral health and its� long term affects on the overall health of the population,� said Dr. Wright.  �We are encouraged with this first step in providing access to dental care for all children 12 and under and we look forward to future discussions with the provincial government, with an objective to include all children to the age of majority.�  

Under the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Health Plan, the children�s dental health program provides universal dental coverage for children 12 and under, and dental coverage for children 13 to 17 whose families are in receipt of income support.  For families with private insurance, government will become the payer of last resort by covering any existing co-pay.  For families without private insurance, government will cover the entire cost of dental services for children 12 and under.  

Dentists across the province will be receiving information about the improved children�s dental program within the next week.  The new agreement is effective September 1, 2006 and expires on March 31, 2010 .  Included in the agreement is a clause to increase the fees listed in the MCP payment schedule, on April 1 of each year, to address the rising costs of providing dental services.  

In addition to removing financial barriers to access dental care, Government also recently launched the Poverty Reduction Strategy.  The plan outlines goals and strategies for: improved access and coordination of services for those with low incomes; a stronger social safety net; improved earned incomes; increased emphasis on early childhood development; and, a better educated population.   Newfoundland and Labrador is the second jurisdiction in Canada to release such a plan and one of three provinces to offer universal coverage for children�s dental services.  

Media contact:

Tansy Mundon, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377, 685-1741 or tansymundon@gov.nl.ca

Anthony Patey, Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association,   (709) 579-2362 or anthony.patey.nlda@nfld.net  

2006 08 23                                                        9:00 a.m.