Is it time to provide universal dental-care to all Quebecers?
The federal government's new dental-care legislation tabled Tuesday is prompting questions about oral health access in Quebec ahead of the election.
If granted royal assent, Bill C-31 would curb dental costs for the children of families who earn less than $90,000 a year.
A similar setup already exists in Quebec for children under 10 and families on welfare. But with a provincial election around the corner, some wonder if it's time to provide universal dental care for all Quebecers.
"It needs to be more accessible and better covered," said Lauréanne Dussault-Desrochers of the MQRP, a group of Quebec doctors that advocate for public health.
She said the first step should be providing care for seniors and all children under 18.
"There are many consequences on their health but also on their dignity."
Seniors are particularly vulnerable to dental problems and often don't have the means to pay for advanced care.
"The vast majority of seniors have lost their teeth either partially or completely," explained seniors advocate Gisele Daoust.
Only a third of adult Quebecers have access to private dental insurance, she explained.
Low income families are less likely to pay for dental care, leaving them vulnerable to long-term health problems.
The Pointe-Saint-Charles Community Clinic wants to take the fight to the political level and is asking parties to commit to providing better coverage if elected.
So far, Quebec solidaire has proposed a comprehensive plan for seniors and children under 18, with partial coverage for working adults.
The Parti Quebecois is making a similar promise, but the Conservative party, Liberals and Coalition Avenir Quebec have yet to announce specific programs improving Quebec's dental coverage.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
A candidate for Germany's key party was beaten up while campaigning for European elections
A candidate for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left party in next month's election for the European Parliament was beaten up and seriously injured while campaigning in an eastern city, the party said Saturday.
Explosion at train station leads to discovery of stolen car on Montreal's South Shore: police
Police are investigating after a BMW exploded in the St-Lambert Exo train station parking lot on Montreal's South Shore.
The pros and cons of discussing mental health issues in the workplace
A group of lawyers has written what they call a groundbreaking book about how mental health is perceived in the legal profession.