April is Oral Health Month in Canada, an opportunity to highlight the essential role oral health plays in our overall health and well-being. This month also provides an opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding care provided by Canada's six regulated oral health professions including dental therapists, dental assistants, denturists, dental technologists, dental hygienists, and dentists and thank them for the exceptional services they provide every day.
No matter your age, it's important to maintain good oral health as part of a healthy lifestyle, including:
- brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day;
- flossing daily;
- drinking fluoridated water;
- avoiding tobacco, cannabis, e-cigarettes, alcohol, sugary beverages and foods; and
- checking your mouth regularly for any signs of oral diseases and conditions.
Regular visits to an oral health professional have proven to reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease and other serious health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and stroke. One in four Canadians have reported avoiding visiting an oral health professional because they could not afford it. To help Canadians, the Government of Canada launched the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), a new federal plan that will help make dental care more affordable for up to nine million eligible Canadian residents who do not have dental insurance. Check out our website to find out if you are eligible to apply.
We want more people to be able to access the outstanding oral health care that oral health professional provide to Canadians. More than 1.7 million Canadians have been approved to receive dental care services through the CDCP. By May 2024, many Canadians will be eligible to begin to receive oral health care through the plan.
The science is clear that good oral health is vital to overall health. I want to thank oral health providers for all they do to keep Canadians healthy, and look forward to continuing to work together so all Canadians can get the oral health care they need.
