Association president Dr. David Stevenson says the plan doesnt address the needs of seniors
The Ontario Dental Association is poking holes into a provincial plan to provide free dental care for low-income seniors.
During the budget last week, the province announced the program would be available for seniors 65 years and older.
It would apply to a senior with an income under $19,300 or couples with a combined income of under $32,300.
But the President of the Ontario Dental Association believes the proposed program falls short and doesn't address the needs of seniors.
Dr. David Stevenson tells AM800 News, senior dental patients should remain with their current dentist.
"Doesn't appear to have addressed the need for continuation of care with the senior patient in the dentist of their choice."
He says their care is very different.
"The senior population today is very different to a senior population of 30-40-50 years ago. A lot of seniors now have a lot of their teeth, they have different dental problems than seniors of before."
Stevenson believes there should be a plan to cover senior patients, but not this one.
"They are in need of significant treatment, they are in need of significant care and significant preventative care and then again this brings back the importance of knowing that history of that individual."
He says treating low-income seniors on mobile dental centers or public institutions isn't the answer.
It is expected the program would cost $100-million but it would also eliminate 60,000 emergency room visits for dental issues per year.
— with files from AM800's Kristylee Varley