The Canadian Dental Industry urges the federal government to ensure that the expansion of dental care does not affect coverage under workplace plans or sharply reduce dentist fees for visits. The Liberal government promised in its spring budget to fund a program that would eventually ensure dental coverage for children under 18, the elderly and people with disabilities. The promise is a key part of a power-sharing deal between the Liberals, who hold a minority of seats in Parliament, and the NDP, which holds the balance of power. The government is consulting industry stakeholders to design its plan, with the aim of tabling legislation this autumn. Industry groups say they agree with increasing access to oral care, but much depends on how the program is designed. The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association said it hopes no new government insurance will affect the majority of Canadians who have plans through their workplace. “Government programs must be designed to ensure that no Canadian loses access to current coverage or access to dental services,” said Susan Murray, vice-president of government relations and policy at the insurance lobby group. Ottawa working hard to meet dental deadline, but delivering new services ‘complicated’: Freeland One of the main concerns for the Canadian Dental Association is how much the plans may pay to reimburse dentists for the procedures. Aaron Burry, CEO of the CDA and a practicing dentist in Ottawa, said the cost of an exam for a dentist can be $200, but a provincial plan can only pay $70. If more patients came under state coverage, he said, that could put pressure on a dentist’s bottom line. “What we’re looking at is a fairly significant number of people covered by these programs,” said Dr. Burry. “And these programs must cover the cost of the care provided.” A key design question for the federal program is whether it will be a new national program or an augmentation of existing provincial plans that cover low-income Canadians and other underserved groups. CDA is pushing the federal government to work with the provinces so they don’t add another layer of programs for dentists to worry about. The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, however, is pushing Ottawa to create its own plan so it can ensure there are national standards for access to oral care. Donna Wells, director of professional practice at CDHA, said there are too many holes in the provincial plans. He said that in some provinces, regular cleanings are not covered, which can cause patients serious problems, such as cavities, down the road. “The program will cost money up front but, if we can get preventative care there, it will save money in the long run,” Ms Wells said. “It will prevent emergency room visits, which cost a lot of money.” Feds seek ideas for dental care programs from industry, without details on what form it would take Emeliana Titarenko, spokeswoman for federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, said the government is committed to ensuring the federal plan complements existing provincial ones. The federal government says its plan could eventually see seven to nine million more Canadians get dental insurance. Sina Amiri, a dental industry consultant and vice president of revenue at Zentist, said he is concerned about whether the industry will be able to absorb the extra demand. Work challenges and COVID-era guidelines requiring breaks between appointments have made it difficult for dental practices to even see their existing patient base. “The question is: where are we going to find all the dentists and hygienists to serve them?” said Mr. Amiri. The Liberals’ spring budget put $5.3 billion over five years toward the program, although a recent costing by the Parliamentary Budget Office estimated the price would be closer to $9 billion. Guy Amini, chairman of Dentalcorp, told analysts on an earnings conference call Friday that he did not believe the plan would materially affect his company, which is part of a growing consolidation of dental practices. But he said he believes the government should direct its dollars to other urgent health care priorities because Canada has relatively high rates of access to oral care compared to other countries. “There is a degree of confusion on the part of the industry and the profession that billions of taxpayer dollars are being spent to address what is not — what the data shows — is not an access to oral care problem in Canada,” he told analysts. . “But, again, the government will prioritize what it wants to prioritize.” Your time is valuable. Have the Top Business Headlines newsletter conveniently delivered to your inbox morning or night. Sign up today.
