Saturday, October 13, 2007

President of CMA - Include dental coverage in public health care

I like this idea - probably because I'm in the 40% without dental coverage - Extend dental coverage, doctors urge. (Post)

Dr. Brian Day also recommends making sure all Canadians have prescription coverage.

20% have to pay out of pocket. What good is it for a doctor to tell you you need antibiotics if your budget is too tight to afford them?

Back to the dental care - Infection in the mouth can easily spread to other areas of the body, costing much more in health coverage than some preventative screening would demand. I think this would be a very cost-effective measure.

However, according to the article, this type of suggestion often meets with resistance from the unions:

...In his first major address since taking over the CMA in August, Dr. Day also said the opposition to his most contentious ideas comes chiefly from unions and union-backed organizations, concerned mainly about safeguarding their members' jobs...

Well, the article seems to contain some opposing viewpoints on the union issue, but I still think this idea should be considered.

I know. It's not very conservative, and likely to stress our already fragile health care system, but looking at it long-term, I think it has potential. Healthy gums, healthy teeth, happy people make more productive workers.

And it's really a matter of equal access to public health care. Isn't that what everyone wants?

11 comments:

Swift said...

Over one million Ontario residents are now paying (through taxes) for a family physician that they can't get. At least if you don't have a dentist you are not paying for one.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

At least if you don't have a dentist you are not paying for one.

Ouch! There's a painful reality check!

Möbius said...

Not very conservative at all. Do you really want the government involved in another system that works pretty well, for the majority? Right now, I can pay a dentist to fix my teeth, if I so desire. Under denticare, I could go on a waiting list for the same thing.

It might then lead to government run daycare, and possibly close-dancing.

Joanne (True Blue) said...


It might then lead to government run daycare, and possibly close-dancing.


O.K. then. I'm convinced! You guys are right. It would ultimately cost a whole lot more than the $1,000 or so I have to pay out of pocket each year.

Anonymous said...

Ontario - the official socialist province of Ontario.

Did you all read about the young man in Waterloo who died at the hands of his dentist getting his wisdom teeth our this week???

Tragic.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Yes, I heard about that. It is indeed tragic.

Not sure of all the details.

Anonymous said...

take a close look at the curriculum that's being taught our kids these days.

We're socially engineering our future to be dependent on the gov't for just about everything.

On Sandy's blog there's discussion about teaching parents how to make lunches for their kids because "they" think it's contributing to obese kids.

Anonymous said...

Dental care? I'd be happy if Dalton would let us go to the eye doctor again!

Joanne (True Blue) said...

I'd be happy if Dalton would let us go to the eye doctor again!

Another short-sighted cut!

Badda-bing.

Ben (The Tiger in Exile) said...

Doctors: "Hey, we have to suffer through socialized medicine. Why does Jimbo over there get to run a private practice. HEY! DALTON! Go get him, too!"

Dentists run to the American consulate, figure out how to emigrate.

Brian in Calgary said...

Another short-sighted cut!

Badda-bing.

Joanne, don't quit your day job.