Alberta Election Candidate Promises Free Dental Care for all Children
The leader of the New Democratic Party, Brian Mason, has pledged free basic dental care for all children in Alberta.
Mason was on a campaign visit in Edmonton when he stated that all children in Alberta would receive basic dental care free of charge should his party be elected.
The Child Dental Care Plan, which would cost around $50 million per year, would provide dental cover for children in the same way as visits to doctors and hospitals are currently covered.
Mason said that thousands of children are missing out on regular dental appointments as a result of cost; he added that the cost of dental care is too high, especially if a patient requires a complex course of treatment and stated that dental visits are essential.
The NDP plan would come into force over the course of three years, with children under the age of 6 covered in the first year, followed by children aged between 6 and 12 in the second year and those over the age of 12 in the third year. The cost of the programme has been calculated based on a similar programme in Ontario. The NDP estimates that costs will be higher initially, with expenditure falling as the standard of oral health improves.
The policy is likely to be welcomed by families across the region, with many parents admitting that they struggle to afford dental care.
Join this Discussion
