My name is Arrin Morcombe, my husband Riley and I have 3 children and are located in Okanagan B.C. Our eldest was born with a complete unilateral cleft on the right side of her lip gum and palate. The doctors were fortunate enough to detect the cleft lip before she was born which gave us time to soak in all the information surrounding it. We we were told by the health care professionals that there was nothing we could have done to avoid her birth defect. I don't smoke nor did I consume alcohol or abuse drugs while pregnant. They told us it was a fluke a 1/1000 chance; however we were also made aware that taking Zofran while pregnant especially in the early stages of pregnancy can result in birth defects such as clefts (among others). I was given Zofran at 9 weeks pregnant to help with my extreme morning sickness. I asked if it was safe to take while pregnant and was reassured that it was. This issue has become a huge legal battle in the United States over the years and is also becoming known here in Canada as well. She has had both her lip and palate surgeries done and we are currently in the process of working towards her gum and bone graft surgery. When she was born and just before, we were told all costs were covered through the government of Canada. We have sadly come to realize that this is not the case here in B.C. The Medical Service Plan only covers orthodontic treatment, nothing dental related, scans, extractions etc. (extractions due to cleft). We have so far been held responsible to cover the costs of two scans costing us $150.00 for one and $200.00 for the other. We have been informed that any extraction related fees including the consultation fees were not covered by M.S.P resulting in Riley and I to cover the costs for both.  As parents my husband and I only want what is best for our daughters development and growth. Worrying about the financial side of things and if we can afford it is not something I feel any family should have to stress about, especially when it comes to our children!

     Our goal moving forward is to help other families like our own get Dental coverage for their child(ren) just like the Medical Service Plan does for the orthodontic side. Scans alone cost hundreds of dollars and extractions can take you into the thousands. I have spoken with other families who are under the impression that everything will be covered, just like we were! Extended dental can help but what about the families who don't have extended dental or have used up their yearly costs already? These enormous fees fall in families laps who already have so much to deal with. Having Dental coverage for these families wouldn't only financially help but also relieve the stress that can come along with it.

    I am hoping that by starting this petition that we as a community can bring this issue to light and help the children get the dental coverage they need without the parents or families having to worry about whether or not they can financially afford it.