More than 70% of dentists are now participating in Canada’s new public dental insurance program, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), marking a significant increase from the 50% reported last month. This surge follows a federal policy change allowing dental clinics to submit claims without officially registering as CDCP providers.
Key Developments
- Increased Participation: Health Minister Mark Holland announced that over 6,500 oral health-care providers have joined the CDCP since the rule change on July 8.
- Flexible Claims: Dentists, denturists, and independent hygienists can now be reimbursed by Ottawa on a case-by-case basis, encouraging more providers to participate without the initial paperwork burden.
- Broad Involvement: Currently, 16,612 dentists, 1,746 denturists, and 857 independent dental hygienists are part of the CDCP. This represents more than 75% of all eligible oral health-care professionals in Canada.
Government and Association Responses
Minister Holland expressed optimism, stating that the government aims to reach 100% participation. The Canadian Dental Association also showed support for the plan, acknowledging the improvements made to address initial concerns.
Program Impact
- Patient Reach: Since the CDCP began on May 1, approximately 450,000 Canadians have received dental care through the program.
- Cost and Coverage: The CDCP is expected to cost $13 billion over five years, eventually covering one in four low- and middle-income Canadians without private dental insurance. Currently, the program is open to seniors, children under 18, and those receiving the federal disability tax credit, with broader eligibility starting in January 2025.
Political Reactions
- Conservative Criticism: Conservative health critic Stephen Ellis criticized the program, calling it “botched” and filled with “chaos, backlogs, red tape, and higher costs.” He also accused Health Minister Mark Holland of distracting from these issues.
- Holland’s Defense: Holland dismissed the Conservative criticism, highlighting the misinformation and confusion spread by the opposition and defending the program’s rollout and effectiveness.
For more information on the Canadian Dental Care Plan, visit the Health Canada website.
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