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BY CHRIS man Staff Writer York Region council has approved the expansion of the Chi!- dren in Need of Treatment program for 2009, with the help of $138-mil- lion from the Minisz of Health Promotion. Since 1989, the program has been providing financial existence to eligiblechildmnuptoage l4who require preventative, urgent and essential dental neatment. The expansion will increase access to dental services for eligible youth up to age 17. Inveéting in oral health of lower- income families is part of the prov- ince’s' poverty reduction strategy. Teens get access to dental program SCHELI. Building Centres OVER 87 YEARS. IN YOUR TOWN! Stouffville 905-640-3440 33 Edward St, Pravincialfundingto expand the 2009 program is a positive move, regional chairperson Bill Fisch However, the current fundâ€" ing arrangement does not allow for adequate stalling nor does it address the increase in the cost to York Region for program implemen- tation after this year, he said. Beginning in 2010, the expand- ed program costs will move to the current 75/25 per cent cost-shar- ing formula between the province and York Region. Using 2008 data, this would cost the region an extra $350,000 annually. Older youth in the expanded program will not receive in-school screening and preventative or mu- tine follow-up services from public health staff. Instead, they will need to access these services through community dentists. Public health dental clinic loca- tions have also been re-allgned in response to geographic demands and to increase screening availabil- ity. The expanded program could provide care to an estimated addi-‘ tional 2,200 York Region youth living in low-income families, Mr. Fisch In 2008, more than 2,000 children under the age of 14 living in York Region benefited from the Children in Need of Treatment program. 20971 Dalton Rd. Sutton 905-722-6561 Since 1922 â€" WWWWWM withconunmfly-buodhomlng.trdmdlntorvmflon DeafBlind WWlmmMeW ONTARIO SERVICES . www.deafbllndontarlo.co ‘ Markham Soccer Club 1 fl Wp arp YOUR (nmmunitv Snrrpr (luh W > Touching the Ilvoéai‘g‘? deafblind in Ontario Stoufl'ville Sun-'Ih'bune I Thursday. Feb. 26. 2002