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Senior's dental care coverage is long overdue.

I am a 85-year-young senior. I had a stroke three years ago and I use a walker, but I am doing well. I don't have a wife but I have a caregiver. I am currently applying to Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care for long-term care.

I had a visit with a dentist a few weeks ago. It was roughly a hour's visit. He told me at the end of the session he was giving me a 20 per cent discount. I thanked him. Then his receptionist gave me a bill for $425. I told her there must be a mistake. She spoke to the dentist and the bill reduced to $375. The work done was for two fillings and finishing of a root canal job I had done with a specialist. It all took about 55 minutes.

His regular fees were to be $531.

Medical general practitioners and most specialists don't earn $531 per hour. Dental fees today are currently expensive and excessive. With all the problems of rising costs, seniors need a helping hand. OHIP could do the job. A fair average price could be determined for fillings, cleanings and other dental jobs. Seniors could pay a reasonable premium for this dental plan. It would make life a lot easier for seniors in our final years with fixed or no incomes at all.

Don Schelew