Canada’s Health Minister recently engaged in discussions with dentists to tackle their hesitations about the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which is set to commence for seniors in May. The Alberta Dental Association remains skeptical about sufficient participation from dentists due to unresolved concerns about the terms of engagement.
Starting in May, seniors who are eligible will be able to access oral health care through the CDCP, with application opportunities having opened in December for those aged 87 and older. This has gradually extended to younger seniors, and by May, those aged 65 to 69 will also be able to apply.
Dr. Jenny Doerksen, president of the Alberta Dental Association, expressed frustrations about the lack of clarity from Ottawa regarding the contractual obligations for dentists under the new plan. The concerns primarily focus on the introduction of registration processes and contract terms that are not yet well-defined.
Dentists are wary of the additional administrative burdens and the potential impacts on patient autonomy, fearing that the contract stipulations might limit patients’ ability to choose their own dentists freely. Dr. Doerksen supports the idea of a national dental care program but criticizes the current approach as flawed due to its ambiguous contractual demands.
A spokesperson for Health Minister Mark Holland described the discussions as “productive,” emphasizing the government’s dedication to collaborating with dental professionals to minimize barriers. The spokesperson clarified that the contentious ‘contract’ mentioned by Dr. Doerksen pertains to a standard claims and payment processing agreement, which is common in direct billing practices.
Despite these assurances, Dr. Doerksen remains uncertain about the plan’s implementation and its implications for dental practices and patient care. She stressed the ongoing lack of additional details about how the plan will unfold, which continues to leave many in the dental community in doubt.
Laura Woods, an independent dental hygienist in Calgary, continues her work at long-term care centers, unaffected by the current debates surrounding the new federal plan.