Whereas dental health is a critical component to health and a key indicator of healthy childhood development, and poor dental health contributes to speech impediments, lower nutritional absorption and growth development, pain, learning inequality, and other health and quality of life issues; And whereas dental care is not a universally accessible service in British Columbia and low income and financially-restricted families and individuals do not have the same access as others to dental care; And whereas fluoride contributes to the healthy development of enamel and the use of fluoride toothpaste by toddlers and preschool-aged children can be challenging: Therefore be it resolved that the Ministry of Health add basic dental care to Medical Services Plan coverage.
Ministry of Health Under the Canada Health Act, each province, as a condition of federal funding, is required to offer its residents health care insurance for medically necessary hospital and physician services. While federal cost-sharing is available for these services, coverage for the services of other health care practitioners is provided entirely at the cost of individual provincial governments. This is not a comment on the value of these services, but rather reflects the limits of available public funding. The services of dental practitioners are covered by the MSP only under very limited circumstances. Under the Medicare Protection Act and Regulations, MSP provides payment only for those surgical dental procedures such as complex extractions andor fractures of the jaw that require hospitalization in order to be performed safely. There is no provision for coverage of general dentures, appliances or prostheses, or orthodontic services when provided in a hospital or in a private dental office. Through the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, assistance may be available for some low-income adults, and more extensive treatment for children under the age of 18 whose parents are receiving premium assistance. Additional information is available on the website at: http:www.hsd.gov.bc.cafactsheets2005dental.htm. They can also be reached by calling 1866 866-0800. The British Columbia Dental Association can provide information on the location of Reduced Cost Clinics, dental clinics that provide services at reduced rates. The following is their contact information: British Columbia Dental Association 400 1765 W 8th Ave Vancouver BC V6J 5C6 Telephone: 604 736-7202 or 1 888 396-9888 Facsimile: 604 736-7588 Email address: postbcdental.org The Ministry of Health is working in collaboration with the First Nations Health Authority to identify opportunities for improving the dental health of Indigenous youth. Government recognizes that tooth decay in children can be reduced if fluoride is added to or is found naturally in a communitys water supply so long as levels do not exceed the Health Canada Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality Maximum Acceptable Concentration MAC for drinking water. While the Province endorses fluoridation of community water supplies, the decision to fluoridate a water supply system is made by each community under B.C.s Community Charter through electoral assent of a local government bylaw.