1. Need for a Provincial Oral Health Program for Ontario Adults & Seniors Anna Rusak Health Promoter Oral Health Department

2. New Canadian Report 6 million Canadians cannot afford to visit a dentist. Canada provides less publicly funded dental care than the United States & internationally, is among the lowest funders of dental care programs. A problem for low income and middle income Report: Improving Access to Oral Health Care for Vulnerable People Living in Canada (August 2014)

3. The Ontario Picture OHIP pays to treat infection in every part of the body except for the mouth Cost is the most common and serious barrier to accessing dental treatment 1 in 5 Ontarians do not visit a dentist due to cost Source: August 2012, Public Health Report

4. Access to dental care Dental care programs available for most children 17 and under Children In Need of Treatment (Health Unit) Healthy Smiles Ontario (Health Unit) Ontario Works (Health Unit in CKL/Hal only) Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) No provincial program for low income working adults and retired seniors Exception: Ontario Works offers discretionary program, ODSP offers basic dental program for adults

5. What’s available for adults in HKPR Port Hope Community Health Centre – Low Cost dental clinic City of Kawartha Lakes Community Health Centre – Low cost dental clinic Haliburton Volunteer Dental Outreach (VDO) Clinic

6. Mouths of Haliburton Residents (before treatment at VDO)

7. Northumberland Oral Health Coalition (NOHC) A community based coalition made up of representatives from health and social service agencies, along with oral health professionals and concerned members of the public Working together since 2005 Member of Ontario Oral Health Alliance (OOHA)

8. Ontario Oral Health Alliance (OOHA) Province wide group of dental coalitions, health and social service providers & members of the public Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Brock partnership Makes oral health advocacy accessible to local groups across Ontario

9. Postcard Campaign

13. Dental Related Emergency Room Visits 59,000 visits in Ontario in 2013 Reason for visit: In pain & cannot afford dental treatment Only painkillers/antibiotics offered in ER…Not treatment Estimated cost per visit: $513  >$30 million spent in Ontario An expensive ‘Band-Aid’ solution Sources: IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO: Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (2013); St. Michael's Hospital

14. Local numbers 599 visits to Campbellford (293) and Northumberland Hills Hospital (306) 1187 visits to Ross Memorial (715) and Haliburton Highlands Hospital (472) Over $916,000 spent in 2012 on Dental Related ER visits within HKPR area hospitals Sources: IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO: Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (2012); St. Michael's Hospital

15. Current OOHA Campaign 2014 Ontario Liberal Budget Promise: To develop a provincial dental program for low income adults in 2025 OOHA Ask to Ontario Minister of Health: To make this promise a reality during Liberal’s four year term Advocacy Strategy Letters requesting support from local, municipal, provincial and federal politicians Media releases Online electronic action

16. Thank you for your time. Any questions?