Québec solidaire (QS) is not giving up on its promises of universal dental insurance. As in 2018, the party undertakes to assume a share of the dental costs of Quebecers, but this time the state would pay less.
In 2018, the solidarity team made universal dental insurance one of its flagship commitments. At the time, QS had estimated the costs associated with this promise at $950 million a year.
But the context has changed. The federal government of Justin Trudeau has promised to “soon” introduce its own pan-Canadian dental insurance plan. By exercising its right of withdrawal with full compensation, a Québec solidaire government would pay $790 million annually.
In practice, the solidarity program provides for reimbursement of all dental expenses for those under 18, social assistance recipients and seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement. For the rest, a united government would pay 80% of the cost of cleaning and preventive care, as well as 60% of the cost of fillings and root canal treatments.
“Quebecers spend an average of $515 per household, per year, to go to the dentist, on bills or to pay insurance,” said Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois on Thursday. press conference in Gaspésie. One out of four Quebecers goes without dental care every year because it costs too much. »
“We have the “sun card” for the health system, we offer a “smile card” for dental care”, he continued.
In order to “improve access to dental care in the region”, QS took advantage of its visit to eastern Quebec on Thursday to promise a plan for the distribution of the workforce of dentists, a bit like in medicine. The party also wants to raise the salaries of hygienists in the public sector and review the fee schedule for dental care.
Further details will follow.