WHEREAS access to basic dental health care in the Province of British Columbia and government funding for basic dental health care is inadequate for low income individuals and families; AND WHEREAS there is a discrepancy between the coverage provided by existing government dental programs and the actual costs charged by dentists: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities lobby the provincial government to take immediate steps to remove access barriers to dental health care, allocate more funding for basic dental health care insurance for low income individuals and families in the Province, and work with the BC Dental Association to resolve the discrepancy between the BC Dental Fee guide and the actual fees charged by dentists.
Ministry of Housing and Social Development Ministry of Housing and Social Development is committed to building the best system of support for those most in need. The health and well-being of British Columbias children, and most vulnerable is a top concern. The provincial government spends about 44 million each year to provide dental services for about 130,000 income assistance clients, persons with disabilities, and children in lower income families who are enrolled in the BC Healthy Kids Program. Since 2006, the Ministry has provided 1.2 million to enable community dental clinics throughout the province to provide dental care for low-income British Columbians. The BCDA publishes a fee guide which is used by dentists to assess fees for dental services provided to British Columbians. The BCDA fee guide is reviewed annually and over the past 10 years there has been a fee increase of approximately 3 percent, per year. Currently, the fee for each dental service set by the Ministrys schedule of fee allowances is, on average, 72 percent of the fee set by the BCDA fee guide. The Ministry has a positive working relationship with the BCDA. In the past few years the Ministry has provided grants to the BCDA in support of community dental day which provides free dental care for low-income individuals. The Ministry has also provided 300,000 to the BCDA for a community dental clinic in the northeast part of the province.