The Dental Association of P.E.I. was pleased to hear this weekend the province has cancelled a number of planned cuts to dental assistance for families.

Amongst the changes that will not be going ahead was a plan to consolidate services in Charlottetown and Summerside.

"For people that live in Alberton or Souris or Murray Harbour, or any areas that are further away from Charlottetown it's certainly easy for parents if they can take their children to the dentist that they go to," said Dental Association executive director Dr. Brian Barrett.

Barrett said making the provincial service available through all dentists provides continuity that is good for everyone.

"If they grow up through the practice they know, that because the government has paid, that they have really good teeth and they continue to have good teeth as they age. It works out really well for everybody," said Barrett.

The provincial government had also planned to bring in a income threshold, meaning only families earning less than $35,000 a year would have provincial coverage.

One of the planned changes will go ahead. Islanders with private health insurance that includes dental will not be covered by the provincial program.

The children's dental health program covers kids aged three to 17.

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