21 Jan 2009
Financial support for dental needs expands
Financial assistance covering dental costs for children has been given a $520,000 boost in Simcoe and Muskoka, allowing the program to reach teens up to their 18th birthday for the first time.
The expansion of the Children In Need of Treatment program came into effect on Jan. 1. It expands coverage from the previous age limit of 13.
CINOT funding is available for low-income families that could not normally afford the dental care their children need. The program provides coverage for dental work as well as for general anaesthetic. It is administered through the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
Provincially the additional investment totals $28.3 million over three years, with an objective to double the number of children served by CINOT.
In 2007-2008, the CINOT program in Simcoe and Muskoka reached 2,153 children, at a cost of $571,939.
“CINOT is extremely important for children in low-income families where dental care is beyond their means,” said Dr. Dick Ito, the oral health care consultant for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
“The health unit’s oral health program screens more than 25,000 children each year, and of the children we identify with unmet dental needs, at least half are treated through CINOT.”
Plea to province: stick to anti-poverty strategy
The Simcoe Muskoka District Board of Health is calling on Premier Dalton McGuinty to stick to a 2008 budget commitment of $45 million per year over three years for dental programs to help low-income residents. The commitment was part of the Province’s poverty reduction strategy announced last year.
The board approved sending the letter to the premier as well as Health Promotion Minister Margarett Best after being shown the results of a report on the oral health status of residents in Simcoe and Muskoka. It shows local children’s dental health is among the poorest in the province. It also indicates people of other ages are avoiding getting the dental care they need, often because they can’t afford it.
Roughley returned as board chair for 2009
Dennis Roughley has been returned to the chair of the Simcoe Muskoka District Board of Health for his fifth year. Roughley accepted the nomination to the post at the inaugural meeting of the board on Jan. 21. He is the appointee of the County of Simcoe on the board, and also serves as deputy mayor of the town of Bradford West Gwillimbury. City of Barrie council appointee Barry Ward was also returned to the position of vice chair. Board members are appointed for the full term of municipal councils, but elect the chair and vice chair annually.
The board welcomed a new member as well, with the introduction of City of Orillia appointee Joe Fecht, who replaces Michael Fogarty.
Healthy School Recognition awards
Local schools are invited to join in the provincial Healthy Schools Recognition Program, which provides awards to schools that meet requirements for staging healthy activities.
The health unit will be able to help schools participate in the program, which has seen 1,700 schools across Ontario get the awards over the last two years.
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