Canada’s health minister recently met with dentists to discuss concerns surrounding the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), as the Alberta Dental Association questioned whether there would be enough dentists to deliver care when the plan is implemented for seniors in May. Eligible seniors will have access to oral health care through the plan, with applications opening in December for those 87 and older, and extending to additional age groups since then. As of this month, those 70 and above are eligible to apply, with those aged 65 to 69 able to sign up in May. Dr. Jenny Doerksen, president of the Alberta Dental Association, expressed concerns about the lack of details provided by Ottawa regarding the plan.
Dentists are hesitant to sign contracts in order to join the program and are worried about additional paperwork for administrative staff. Doerksen stated that while dentists support the idea of a national public dental care plan, the current plan is flawed. One of the main concerns is that dentists are being asked to sign a contract without knowing the terms and conditions, which can interfere with patients’ autonomy to choose their own dentist. Health Minister Mark Holland’s spokesperson noted that the contract referred to by Doerksen is a standard claims and payment processing agreement in the industry, necessary for direct billing.
Independent dental hygienist Laura Woods has been advising seniors to consider hygienists who can offer a wide range of services under the program. She has been informing seniors at care facilities about the program and ensuring that they are aware of the multiple oral health care providers available to them. Woods highlighted the importance of the program, especially for seniors who may struggle to afford dental care due to rising costs. Jeannette Provo, the executive director for Confederation Park 55+ Activity Centre in Calgary, echoed this sentiment, expressing disappointment that dentists are not signing on and emphasizing the need for clarity before moving forward with the plan.
To be eligible for the CDCP, Canadians must not have access to dental insurance, have an annual adjusted family net income of under $90,000, be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, and have filed a tax return from the previous year. Eligible Canadians aged 70 and above have received letters inviting them to apply to the program, with a co-pay for households with net incomes between $70,000 and $90,000. The national program aims to cover one quarter of Canadians and is being rolled out gradually, starting with seniors. An interim dental plan is currently in place to cover children under the age of 12.
Overall, the Canadian Dental Care Plan has been met with both support and concerns from dentists, seniors, and healthcare professionals. While there is agreement on the need for a national public dental care plan, there are issues regarding the lack of clarity in the current plan and the requirements for dentists to sign on without knowing the terms and conditions. It is essential for all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the CDCP is effectively implemented and provides much-needed oral health care to seniors and other eligible Canadians. Communication and collaboration will be key in addressing these concerns and ensuring the success of the program in the long term.
