Why does it cost nothing to mend a broken arm, but break the bank to fix a toothache?

Dental Health is one of the most important aspects of health, yet remains outside of Canadian health coverage. If you hurt your arm and go to the doctor’s office you don’t get charged a dime, but if you get a toothache it’s a different story.
Many families simply cannot afford to have dental work done.

 

Studies have also linked poor dental health to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, dementia, respiratory infections, diabetic complications, renal disease complications, premature birth and low birth weight. And numbers cannot quantify the pain, social impacts and economic losses suffered by those with untreated dental problems.

32 per cent of Canadians have no dental insurance at all, and six million Canadians avoid visiting the dentist every year due to cost.

The omission of dental coverage from our universal health-care system is both a pressing public health concern and a social justice issue.

 

In fact, at present only six percent of Canadians have public dental coverage. That means that many low income, and even middle income, Canadians suffer from pain, discomfort, disability, and loss of opportunity because of poor oral health.

No Canadian should have to go without dental care simply because they cannot afford it. 

Canadians have waited long enough. Access to medically necessary dental care should be a right in this country, not a privilege.

 

You can also sign our petition here.