The Legault government is putting $10 million per year toward offering residents in the province's nursing homes proper dental care.
The program, announced by the CAQ's seniors minister Marguerite Blais, is aimed at seniors living in government-run long-term care facilities, known as CHSLDs, where dental care is often overlooked.
It will offer checkups and daily dental health care for all residents, make sure dental hygiene products are available, and make sure dentists and hygienists are on hand to provide dental treatments.
Dr. Barry Dolman, the head of the Order of Dentists of Quebec, says it's welcome news.
"It's important, because for the first time, the government has recognized the importance of oral health care [for seniors]," Dr. Dolman says. "It's the first time that I've seen a significant new program being adopted by the government, and for the CAQ to be able to do this early on in its mandate, it's fantastic."
He suggests the program is the first one of its kind in the country, and Dr. Dolman says he hopes other jurisdictions in the country follow Quebec's lead.