(OTTAWA) The Canadian government’s approach to universal dental care should include preserving private dental insurance programs and using existing clinics, according to the Canadian Dental Association.
The association released a guidance document on Tuesday following consultations with federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and dental associations in provinces and territories across the country.
She made several recommendations to the Liberal government, urging it to have a national oral health strategy in place by April 2025.
Dentists across Canada could have up to nine million new patients due to the government’s new universal dental care program, the report says, but warns new policies are needed.
Among other things, they recommend using existing dental practices, addressing staffing shortages so people don’t have to endure long waiting lists, ensuring treatment costs are fully covered, and achieving an oral health survey.
The association also wants the government to consider encouraging employers to continue offering dental insurance to workers.
“We are concerned that whatever the government brings in will not disrupt the current ecosystem of employer-sponsored third-party health benefits,” said Lynn Tomkins, President of the Canadian Dental Association in an interview with The Canadian Press.
“We wouldn’t want to see you lose your dental insurance. »
The association also recommends that the federal government conduct a legislative review of dental care every five years and work with the provinces and territories to roll it out.
A program still in development
Universal access to dental care should be fully implemented by 2025. Children under the age of 12 from low-income families are currently eligible for a child dental benefit through the Revenue Agency from Canada.
This year, coverage is expected to be extended to teenagers, the elderly and people living with disabilities.
The Liberals said the benefit is intended to provide low-income Canadians with cost-of-living relief.
The current benefit is available to families with household incomes below $90,000 per year and ranges from $260 to $650 per child depending on net income.
The New Democratic Party has pushed for a universal dental plan as part of a deal to back minority Liberals on key legislation and confidence votes through 2025.
Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer says current dental benefits are superficial and handing out cash could contribute to inflation and drive up the cost of living.