Six Million Canadians Cannot Afford Dental Care: Report

According to a study from Health Canada, an overwhelming six million Canadians cannot afford proper dental care. As a provider of general dentistry and emergency dental services in Etobicoke, Princeview Dental realizes that many of our patients may not have dental coverage or their insurance may only partially cover the cost of many procedures.

That's why we offer affordable care for patients who may not be lucky enough to have insurance. Unfortunately, dental care is not part of Canada's universal health care and many procedures such as dental implants are still considered to be cosmetic. If you're contemplating a dental procedure, such as implants, but hesitating because you're concerned about the cost, or your insurance will not cover it, we offer affordable payment plans.

The Health Canada study found that the six million Canadians who cannot afford to go to the dentist are the most vulnerable; namely children, the elderly, new comers to Canada, the poor, the working poor, First Nations and people with disabilities. As a provider of general dentistry and emergency dental services in Etobicoke, we provide dental care for everyone, regardless of their income or whether or not they're insured.

The report titled Improving Access to Oral Health Care for Vulnerable People Living in Canada was issued by Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and published as part of the Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry in Saskatoon. It is available to read by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page. The study compiles three years of data on the state of oral health care in Canada.

The study found that the vulnerable groups are less likely to have dental insurance and avoid going to the dentist because of this, leading to a variety of health issues. They are also far more likely to have dental decay, tooth loss and tooth pain. They are also far less likely to eat fruits and vegetables due to pain with their teeth.

The cost of not having any insurance, or partial insurance, are the main reasons why many Canadians do not go to visit the dentist despite being in pain, but some of the other factors include a lack of transportation, a fear of visiting the dentist as well as dealing with a system that includes navigating multiple levels of government in order to get some form of coverage.

As a provider of general and emergency dental services in Etobicoke, our offices on the Kingsway are easily accessible by public transportation and we will provide you with the best way to reach our practice for your appointment or if you need to reach us in an emergency. We also realize that visiting the dentist can be an intimidating prospect for many patients. We pride ourselves on providing gentle dental care and we will set your mind at ease. We even offer nitrous gas and sedation to do dental work. We will also help you with any forms you may have to fill out for coverage.

However, the study doesn't paint a completely grim picture of dental care in Canada; 70 to 75% of Canadians can afford quality dental care, which we provide as a trustworthy Etobicoke general dentist. Experiencing oral pain can lead to missing time off work and school as well as affecting your academic or job performance. What's more, leaving issues until they get worse can lead to missing time off work and school to have them treated, regardless of whether or not you have insurance. Regardless of your situation, whether it’s a regularly scheduled appointment or you’re experiencing oral pain, visit Princeview Dental, for affordable general or emergency dental services in Etobicoke.

Source:
Janus, Andrea, "High Cost Keeps 6 Million Canadians From the Dentist Each Year: Report," CTV News, September 13, 2014, http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/high-costs-keep-6-million-canadians-from-the-dentist-each-year-report-1.2004438.