The Government of Canada’s strategy for universal dental care should include protecting private dental insurance plans and utilizing existing dental clinics, according to the Canadian Dental Association. On Tuesday, the Association released a policy paper after consulting with federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, provincial and territorial dental associations, and dentists from across the country.
The report suggests that up to 9 million new patients could be seen by dentists in Canada due to the government’s universal dental care program, but new policies are necessary. Dr. Lynn Tomkins, the Canadian Dental Association president, said in an interview with The Canadian Press, “It’s a massive undertaking and we are pleased to see that this attention is being given to oral health care because we know there’s a sizable number of Canadians that don’t access regular dental care because of cost.”
The recommendations made by the Association include using existing dental offices, addressing staffing shortages to reduce wait times, fully covering treatment costs, and conducting a survey on oral health. They also suggest that the government explore incentives for employers to continue offering dental insurance to their employees. Dr. Tomkins said, “We are concerned that whatever the government brings out, it does not disrupt the current ecosystem of third-party employer-sponsored health benefits. We wouldn’t want to see you lose your dental plan.”
The Association also recommends that the federal government review dental legislation every five years, and collaborate with provinces and territories on the rollout of the universal dental care program. Universal access to dental care is planned to be fully implemented by 2025. Currently, children under the age of 12 from lower-income families are eligible to receive a children’s dental benefit through the Canada Revenue Agency. This year, it is expected that the coverage will be extended to teens, seniors, and those living with a disability.
The NDP pushed for a universal dental care program as part of an agreement to support the Liberal minority government on major legislation and confidence votes until 2025. However, Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer believes that the current dental benefit is superficial, and that handing out cash could lead to inflation and make the cost of living worse.