NDP celebrates new dental care for kids, turns focus to teens and seniors

OTTAWA — NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is celebrating the launch of dental care funding for children by immediately re-focusing on the next step: dental care for seniors, people living with disabilities and everyone under 18.

"Starting now, kids under 12 will no longer have to live with cavities, toothaches, or the lifelong damage that comes from years without seeing a dentist," said Singh.

"I'm incredibly proud that the NDP used our power in parliament to deliver dental care for kids. But I’m celebrating by immediately focusing on the next step in the NDP’s plan — dental care coverage for seniors, people with disabilities and everyone under 18. We’re going to keep fighting to make sure it happens in 2023.”

The dental care funding — up to $650 per person per year in families earning less than $90,000 — was negotiated by Singh in exchange for not forcing a snap election. That agreement came after both the Trudeau Liberals and the Conservatives voted against dental care twice.

“No one should have to rack up credit card bills to see a dentist,” said Singh. “When I’m prime minister, we’ll finally start treating dental care like health care.”

Families can apply for dental care funding at canada.ca.