Press Releases 2008

For Immediate Release April 14, 2008

KLEES: Prioritize Approval of CT Scans for Dental Offices

(Queen’s Park) Wait lists at local hospitals for medical CT Scans can be reduced and patient care can be enhanced – all without costing the government one red cent.

That’s what Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees called on the Minister of Health to do during the legislature’s question period.

Klees was following up on a letter he personally delivered to the Minister of Health on March 25th in which he asked that the Ministry clear the way for Ontario dentists to use a new CT Scanning technology in their practice. Klees pointed out that Ontario is the only jurisdiction in North America that has not approved the technology.

"Denying Ontario dentists access to this technology, which is approved in every other province, means their patients must be referred to local hospitals for medical CT Scans - which also means they must be subjected to up to 10 times the radiation exposure," Klees said while questioning the Minister.

"Approving this technology represents no additional cost to the government, takes patients out of the line-up for hospital CT Scans and will improve the quality of care for patients,” Klees said.

The Minister promised to look into the issue.

"This is just one example of how our health care system can be improved without additional cost to the government. This is a positive proposal that was brought to my attention by a Newmarket dentist, Dr. Rod Stewart,” said Klees. “A simple directive from the Minister would expedite the approval that has been held up in the bureaucracy for years.”

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Hansard attached:

Frank Klees, MPP

Newmarket-Aurora

416 509 8999