In the six months since the Canada Dental Care Plan began, a million people have received care, covering seniors, people with disabilities and children, for those without dental plans and an adjusted net family income of less than $90,000. Health Minister Mark Holland says on average it saves someone $730. And for those who wouldn’t be seeing a dentist unless it was an emergency, this means access to preventative care.

As of tomorrow, November 1st, the program will expand to include coverage for services like the initial placement of partial dentures or crowns. Holland says about 89 per cent of oral health providers in the country are now providing care under the Canadian Dental Care Plan.

Next on the list is pharmacare. Much like with any other health care, Holland explains that preventative actions are less costly than waiting for an emergency. He notes that doctors have told him they question why they are handing out prescriptions for people with diabetes when they know they can’t afford the medication. Holland says, “They are going to wind up with a much more serious illness. They are going to wind up blind or with a leg amputated. It’s a dumb way to do business. We must do better.” Along with the ethics, he suggests prevention is the more fiscally responsible way.