According to the head of the Canadian Dental Association, over 60 percent of dentists are hesitant to participate in the federal government’s $13 billion Canada Dental Care Plan. Many dentists find the plan overly complex based on a recent survey of 4,000 dentists. Aaron Burry, CEO of the Dental Association, testified before the House Finance Committee on April 18, revealing that 61 percent of dentists stated they would not partake in the program.
The Dental Association is not currently in negotiations with the federal government regarding the plan. They are solely providing advice on the plan’s structure. Dentists express concerns about the program’s complex terms and conditions, misalignment of fee schedules with provincial rates, and burdensome bureaucratic requirements.
Burry highlighted the program’s complexity and disruptive authorization processes that could impede patient care.
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Burry clarified that the plan does not offer free dental care but only covers a portion of standard fees, leading to confusion among dentists about coverage boundaries.
Dentists are uncertain about how coordination of benefits with provincial programs will function and the preauthorization levels for meeting patient needs.
To qualify for the program, households must earn less than $90,000 annually, lack dental insurance, be Canadian tax residents, and have filed the previous year’s tax return.
Covered services include dentures, extractions, x-rays, cleanings, root canals, and other dental procedures.
The initial cost estimate for the Dental Care Plan was $6 billion over five years, but it was later adjusted to $13 billion. While approximately nine million Canadians could benefit from the program, the reluctance of dentists to participate may limit patient access to care.
According to the association, some provinces could experience up to a 20 percent gap in reimbursement rates.
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