If you are living in the federal riding of St. John’s East, you may have noticed a short survey in your mailbox about dental care.
That’s because one Newfoundland and Labrador MP is trying to guage public support for the inclusion of dental care in Canada’s healthcare plan.
Jack Harris says originally, dental care was supposed to be a part of the vision for healthcare, as if you break your wrist you can get it fixed, but if you break a tooth, you’re on your own.
Harris and the federal NDP campaigned on the notion of a federal dental care program to be put in place.
They’re still supporting that, but now are looking for reaction from the public to see how many are concerned about the issue.
In February, there was an opportunity to hold a vote in the House of Commons on implementing part of the NDP’s plan, which Harris says would’ve provided free dental care to those who didn’t have an existing plan by using some of the money being given out by the “middle-class tax cut.”
Harris says he was both disappointed and angry that the Liberals, Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois voted against the amendment.
It’s a mail-out survey, and Harris is asking that people send them back, postage free, with their comments.
If a front tooth is knocked out in a sports game, Harris says it’s regarded as cosmetic and therefore not covered by the basic plans that government has for those on social assistance. He says there are many hardships caused to people health-wise, looks-wise, employment-wise, and many other ways without proper dental care.
But, the question always is how will it be paid for?
Harris says medicare is funded through taxpayer dollars, and this would be much the same. However, he believes an advantage would be the savings involved.
He says consequences to bad oral health fall already on society as it can prevent people from getting a job.
Harris says if you have bad dental care and end up in emergency at the hospital, the cost is enormous compared to preventive dental care in which somebody can get a check-up once a year.
