The Opposition member for Harbour Main has presented a petition in the House of Assembly seeking the reinstatement of subsidized dental care for seniors.

Helen Conway-Ottenheimer says she’s been contacted by seniors who cannot access needed dental care.

She cited one example involving a 70-year-old man. The low-income senior, who receives less than $20,000 a year after working his entire life, requires ten extractions, is in pain, and has been on antibiotics almost continuously for a year.

Health Minister John Haggie acknowledges that while there’s room for improvement, there are “a variety of mechanisms” to have dental issues dealt with.