Time to talk teeth. Group lamenting lack of denture funding

Time to talk teeth. Group lamenting lack of denture funding
2007-12-05
By Lindsey Cole
mykawartha.com

Paul Pennington feels his human rights were violated.
At 43, he has a speech impediment and has to rip his food apart before he can bite.
He wants nothing more then a bright smile, filled with shiny, new teeth.
However, his top teeth are missing and his hope of getting new dentures is quashed, he says.
And that's why he, along with the Peterborough Coalition Against Poverty (PCAP), will participate in the Dentures Kickoff Campaign at the Argyle Centre tonight (Wednesday) from 7 to 9 p.m.
ÏI've had my human rights totally violated by City Council,Ó he says, adding he was denied dentures from Ontario Works because he was seen as unemployable.
After writing more than 10 letters to Peterborough Mayor Paul Ayotte, Mr. Pennington says it's time to speak out, he says.
ÏHe responded to my oranges with political apples,Ó he said about Mayor Ayotte's written responses.
Mayor Ayotte says his hands are tied.
ÏIf the Province wants to fund that and determines that then I have no problem with that,Ó he says.
ÏThey've got the resources to do it, we don't. He didn't qualify under the guidelines approved by council.Ó
ÏLike I've told them all along the municipality doesn't have money to throw at this. One of the biggest challenges we have is lobbying the higher governments to accept responsibility.Ó
MPP Jeff Leal also adds both the City and Province have identified dental care as a priority and are currently looking into the issue.
ÏWhat's happening right now, they're (City Council) going through this review as we speak and are looking at the gaps.Ó
Mr. Pennington was also denied dentures because Ontario Works acts on behalf of the City, which only gives out the one-time benefit of $1,500 to people they feel are actively pursuing jobs.
Mr. Pennington says he can't work, which means he can't get dentures.
ÏIt's things that we can help people with in getting a job,Ó says Nancy Fischer, the manager of social assistance at Ontario Works.
ÏCity council sets this up. They make the principles. The denture policy is restrictive.Ó
This restriction frustrates Mr. Pennington and he's not alone.
Representatives from the Peterborough Dental Coalition as well as people directly effected by this policy will discuss the issue. They will also show two films at the event.
However, one of the key elements behind the forum is to raise money for Sharron Fowler, a single mother of four who can't afford to have her teeth replaced.
She also wasn't granted dentures because she isn't actively seeking employment.
Elisa Wynne-Hughes of PCAP says the definition of employment under the policy is unclear.
ÏThe policy itself is highly limited,Ó she says.
ÏIt fails to recognize the work done in the home. Sharon who is raising four kids is working. She's not able to get the benefits she requires.Ó
While the program is currently under review now, Ms Fischer says it is a social and health issue.
ÏIt's been a real struggle,Ó she explains, noting one of the options for people who can't get dentures from Ontario Works, is that they can go to George Brown College to get dentures from students at a cheaper price.
ÏIt's less convenient but it is one of the options. It is not a simple process but it is one of the options out there,Ó Ms Fischer says.
ÏIt's case by case, step by step.Ó

Contents © Copyright 2006-2007