It's full of holes, and needs repair...

...our dental care system in Canada, that is.

TOPHC's Friday luncheon speakers, Dr. Garry Aslanyan of the World Health Organization and Dr. Carlos Quiñonez, of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto presented findings from the paper:  "Putting Our Money Where Our Mouth Is: The Future of Dental Care in Canada," from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

They presented some sobering statistics:

• Of an estimated $12.6-billion spent on dental services across Canada in 2009, only 5 per cent was publicly funded. 
• That's an incredible contrast in terms of health care spending, which received $182-billion in funding, of which 70 per cent was publicly funded.
• A steady increase in per person spending on oral health care:
• In 1975, the average person spent $135 on oral health care. In 2010: $379.  
• And in terms of public dollars invested in oral health care: $11 in 1975, compared to $19.50 in 2010.

• In 2010, 62 per cent of Canadians had private dental insurance, and 6 per cent were covered by publicly funded programs - mostly the poorest people in Canadian communities.  That means almost a third of Canadians had neither public nor private insurance to address their oral health care.
• No jurisdiction in Canada has a comprehensive oral health strategy.

Why this report - why now? The authors cited two main reasons: Firstly, the 'signs' of change in Ontario, with $45-million allocated to dental care. Secondly, the timing with the renegotiation of FTP health accord.

The CCPA brought various groups from across Canada together to discuss the issues. Their conclusions are noted in the report. And from the report, Aslanyan and Quiñonez highlighted some points of convergence for policy action:

• Save money and improve health - put money where our mouth is.
• Save money in long term and improve quality of life of those in need
• Re-allocate spending to 'upstream' solutions
• Make better use of all oral health care providers
• A need for oral health policies both on provincial and national levels