The Ontario Dental Association Congratulates Ministers, Associate Minister, and Parliamentary Assistants on their New Roles

TORONTO, July 2, 2014 /CNW/ - The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) congratulates the Honourable Dr. Eric Hoskins, MPP St. Paul's, on his recent appointment to Ontario's Cabinet as the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, along with Associate Minister of Health and Long-Term Care (Long-Term Care and Wellness) the Honourable Dipika Damerla, MPP Mississauga East-Cooksville.  Congratulations also extend to John Fraser, MPP Ottawa South and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health (Health), and Indira Naidoo-Harris, MPP Halton and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care (Long-Term Care).

With a focus on access to care for low-income Ontarians, the ODA looks forward to working with the Honourable Dr. Helena Jaczek, MPP Oak Ridges-Markham and Ontario's Minister of Community and Social Services, and Parliamentary Assistant Soo Wong, MPP Scarborough-Agincourt.

The ODA wishes the Honourable Deb Matthews, MPP London-North Centre, Deputy Premier and President of the Treasury Board, and the Honourable Ted McMeekin, MPP Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, well in their new roles. The ODA thanks Ministers Matthews and McMeekin for recognizing the importance of oral health for all Ontarians and hopes to continue working with both as the ODA seeks to implement solutions to resolve current access to care issues for patients covered by Ontario government-sponsored dental programs.

"As dentists, we know the importance of oral health to overall health. I look forward to working with Ministers Hoskins and Jaczek, and Associate Minister Damerla as well as Parliamentary Assistants Mr. Fraser, Ms. Naidoo-Harris, and Ms. Wong as we work together to attain the optimal oral health for all Ontarians," said Dr. Gerald Smith, President of the Ontario Dental Association. "It is my hope that we can work together on access to care issues for patients as the government proposes implementation of an integrated dental program by August 2015, and on the approval of the Bill 70 regulation by Cabinet in a timely manner."

The ODA promotes the attainment of optimal oral health for the people of Ontario. Ontario dentists and the ODA are active partners with all levels of government in the promotion of the oral and overall health and well-being of all Ontarians.

For more information visit youroralhealth.ca.

SOURCE: Ontario Dental Association

Janiece Walsh, ODA Public Affairs and Communications, 416-355-2275, [email protected]