GUELPH – A new seniors’ dental program is coming to Wellington County.
Associate medical officer of health Matthew Tenenbaum prepared a report for the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) board meeting on Oct. 2 about the new Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program.
“This is a new program for public health, but it’s responding to a need that’s existed in our community and other communities for some time,” Tenenbaum told the Advertiser.
“We know that people’s oral health … is really a very significant determinant of their overall level of physical health, mental health, social wellbeing.”
He added people over the age of 65 are less likely to have dental coverage through insurance and, “We are hoping that this program helps to address their oral health needs.”
Income eligibility
The new program, fully funded for 2019 and 2020 by the Ministry of Health, will offer free dental care to seniors who:
– are aged 65 or older;
– reside in Ontario;
– meet income eligibility requirements of less than $19,300 per year after tax for single seniors or less than $32,000 combined per year after tax for senior couples; and
– have no access to private or public dental benefits.
In 2019 WDGPH will receive $869,100 to fund the program, which is expected to serve 1,541 seniors, based on a ministry estimate that 40 per cent of eligible seniors will use the service.
Eligibility will be assessed on a yearly basis and is based on an application form accessible on the Ministry of Health website.
“That being said, as a public health unit, we also have a role in making sure people who are eligible are able to become enrolled,” Tenenbaum said.
“We have staff in the health unit who will be able to work with eligible clients to make sure that they have the paperwork they need and are in the process to get their eligibility confirmed by the Ministry of Health, so they can begin accessing services.”
The final service schedule has not yet been released.
Range of services
The ministry has indicated the following will be eligible:
– examinations/assessments;
– preventative services, including polishing, fluoride, sealants and scaling;
– restorative services such as temporary fillings, permanent fillings and crowns;
– radiographs;
– oral surgery to remove teeth or abnormal tissue;
– anaesthesia;
– endodontic services (eg. root canals) to treat oral infections and pain;
– periodontal services to treat gum disease and other conditions; and
– prosthodontic service, including manufacture and fitting of dentures with a 10% client co-payment.
Tenenbaum said individual health units can tailor their seniors’ dental program to the community, but what is covered and when it’s rolled out will be determined by the ministry.
Common system
“We are working together with each other to make sure that we have a common system where people can access dental care as seamlessly as possible, regardless of where they live,” he said.
Seniors in Wellington face another challenge: the program is offered only at WDGPH offices in Guelph and Orangeville.
“Just to be 100% clear that doesn’t mean that people in Wellington County aren’t eligible or aren’t able to access services at those locations,” Tenenbaum said.
Two locations
“Those two offices are for all of WDG clients.”
He indicated the health unit is looking at working with community partners to deliver services in different areas.
WDGPH is also working with neighbouring health units so residents can access clinics wherever it’s easiest, regardless of jurisdiction.
“We know that people who aren’t able to access oral health care, do have poor health as a consequence, and I’m glad that we’re going to be able to address this,” Tenenbaum said.
The staged implementation will run into the winter of 2020 according to the report.
The program’s launch date is expected to be before the end of 2019.
