News Release Archive
HEALTH--SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN'S DENTAL PROGRAM ----------------------------------------------------------------- Changes announced today to the children's dental program are aimed at providing quality, sustainable oral health services for children, said Health Minister Bernie Boudreau. "The new Nova Scotia children's oral health program focuses on oral health promotion, education and prevention for our children," said Mr. Boudreau. "Private practice dentists will continue to provide annual exams for children up to their 10th birthday and, for children who meet the new guidelines, selected preventive services such as sealants. The program aims to improve oral health status over time," said Mr. Boudreau. Changes to the program will take place in two steps. In the first step, the eligibility age changes to cover children up to age 10 instead of age 12, effective Nov. 1. In the second step, to begin on Jan. 1, 1997, the specifics of the new program will be implemented. Some important features of the new program include: * continuation of annual examinations for all children up to their 10th birthday * preventative services such as fluoride treatments, will continue to be offered to all children up to their 10th birthday, but on a targeted basis, based on program guidelines * sealants, an effective method for disease prevention, are being introduced and will be available to all children up to their 10th birthday, based on program guidelines * treatment services such as fillings will be provided for only the financially disadvantaged, and children with special medical or dental conditions. Parents will be asked to sign declaration forms in dental offices if their incomes fall below a certain level, which varies by family size. The new program covers the education and prevention components of the Nova Scotia's public health services dental hygiene program and the treatment services offered in the MSI children's dental program, both developed in the 1970's. The Department of Health developed the new combined program in consultation with the Nova Scotia Dental Association and the Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry. "Nova Scotians should be proud of this province's continued commitment to children's dental health in a time when many other provinces do not have an integrated and comprehensive program, or even a program that covers an entire province," said Dr. Amid Ismail, professor and chair of Department of Dental Clinical Sciences, faculty of dentistry at Dalhousie University. Dr. Ismail represented the faculty of dentistry on the program review committee. Restructuring and refocusing the former programs means a more effective and efficient way of meeting established oral health goals and an estimated $3 million cost savings annually. Annual expenditures on this program are estimated at about $7 million. -30- Contact: Lori MacLean 902-424-5025 trp Oct. 01, 1996 - 1:55 p.m.