$73-million Investment in to Early Childhood Health Screening

March 3, 2005

The launch of a new $73 million program to provide universal hearing, dental and vision screening for every child under age six will give B.C. children the best possible start on a healthy, happy life.

“The earlier we detect hearing, vision, and dental problems, the more effectively we can treat them and help ensure every B.C. child has the opportunity to realize their full potential," said Premier Gordon Campbell. "Early screening and detection is one of the best investments we can make in preventative health care and in the children who are the future of our province."

The BC Liberal government will invest about $73 million over the next three years in new infant and early childhood screening and intervention programs, the first project of this scope ever in B.C., including:

A Sound Start, a program to ensure children born with congenital hearing loss will receive early screening, diagnosis and treatment ($19 million).
Vision screening, including increased coverage for eyeglasses for children from low-income families and families on income assistance ($19 million)
Dental screening and support programs, including increased dental coverage for children in families on income assistance and those receiving MSP premium assistance ($35 million).

“B.C. is stepping forward to improve access to programs that will identify and treat problems relating to hearing, vision and dental health,” said Health Services Minister Shirley Bond. “Now, all children under the age of six in British Columbia will have access to hearing, vision and dental checks with appropriate treatment and support when there are problems, and all before they start grade one.”

“There are nearly a quarter million children under age six in B.C.,” said minister of state for early childhood development Linda Reid. “Our job is to give them the best possible start in school by detecting early hearing loss, vision impairment and dental problems that can affect a child’s language skills and ability to learn and socialize.”

The increased dental and eyeglass coverage represents a $7.5 million annual commitment to the health of over 203,000 children in low-income families and will take effect on April 1, 2005.

“Screening will identify more children needing dental and optical treatment and we want to make sure low-income families have access to the health services they need,” said Human Resources Minister Susan Brice. “With this funding we are ensuring that more B.C. children will have better access to dental and vision care.”

This program will include participation from a variety of health providers including public health nurses, hygienists and certified dental assistants, dentists, doctors, audiologists, optometrists and clinical counsellors. Specialty services will be available by referral when a need is identified through the screening, and may be provided by the health system, the school system, or the Ministry of Children and Family Development for children with special needs.
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