A dental program set up and funded by the province to help children in low-income families isn't reaching many children in the Kenora-Rainy River area.
CAO of the Northwestern Health Unit Mark Perrault says stiff criteria has limited access the Healthy Smiles program to just sixteen children.
"It doesn't include people on social assistance," says Perrault. "It doesn't include First Nations people who have non-injured health benefits. So the criteria eligibility is such that you create a program that nobody can use."
The province had suggested at least 880 would be eligible when it provided funding to the Heath Unit last fall.
