The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, introduced an Expression of Interest process for the second funding stream of the OHAF. This initiative targets enhancing access to oral health care in rural and remote regions and for underserved populations. It also focuses on raising public awareness about preventing oral diseases and maintaining good oral health. The funding is open to various organizations, including non-profit, for-profit, and government agencies.
Non-profit and for-profit organizations, along with government entities, are encouraged to submit their applications for the OHAF funding by consulting the form on the OHAF webpage before July 31, 2024. Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal for funding in Fall 2024. The first stream of the OHAF, launched last month, aims to address competency gaps in oral health training institutions to improve the treatment of targeted populations and provide hands-on training opportunities for students.
The OHAF initiative complements the Canadian Dental Care Plan by investing in targeted measures to bridge oral health gaps among vulnerable populations. It focuses on reducing non-financial barriers to accessing care, particularly in rural and remote communities. The funding provided through the OHAF will support projects that explore innovative ways to connect more individuals to quality oral health care and address specialized needs in oral health services.
Minister Mark Holland emphasized the importance of improving access to oral health care for individuals facing challenges beyond financial constraints, such as those residing in rural and remote areas. The OHAF aims to collaborate with community partners to implement innovative solutions that enhance oral health access for vulnerable populations. This initiative aligns with the Canadian Dental Care Plan's efforts to expand access to dental care for millions of Canadians and bridge oral health disparities among underserved communities.
The OHAF received $250 million over three years in the 2023 budget, with ongoing funding of $75 million. The funding under both streams of the OHAF will commence on April 1, 2025, following the review of proposals and negotiations on funding agreements. The initiative reflects the government's commitment to promoting oral health equity and addressing the diverse needs of individuals across Canada.
