Alberta has officially declined to participate in the federal dental plan, Premier Danielle Smith communicated to the Canadian government on Tuesday, as reported by CTV News.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Smith argued that the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) encroaches on provincial jurisdiction. She emphasized the importance of full collaboration with provinces and territories before implementing new health programs, stating, “Unfortunately, this collaboration did not occur.”
Instead, Alberta intends to uphold its existing provincial dental programs and negotiate terms for accessing federal dental funding. Smith outlined plans to use this unconditional funding to expand dental coverage for more low-income Albertans, aiming for full withdrawal from the federal plan by 2026 after a two-year negotiation period.
Last December, the federal government committed $13 billion over five years to the CDCP. Eligibility criteria include having filed a tax return last year, lacking dental insurance, and earning under $90,000 annually. The program currently covers children under 12 and seniors over 65, with future expansions to encompass all children under 18 and individuals with a valid disability tax credit certificate.
Hans Herchen, president-elect of the Alberta Dental Association, expressed concerns over increased paperwork and uncertainty about coverage. He noted that 60 to 70 percent of Alberta dentists have not enrolled in the program, highlighting worries about misinformation and potential out-of-pocket expenses for patients.
Contrary to misconceptions, Herchen stressed that the program is not entirely free, and patients may still incur costs. Joel Antel, president of the Canadian Dental Association, echoed these sentiments, noting that dental offices spend considerable time explaining the program to patients, diverting attention from clinical and administrative duties.
Antel also cautioned that the plan could restrict patient choice, as individuals need to verify whether dental offices participate in the program.
In response to criticisms, Canada’s health minister assured that dentists were consulted during the plan’s development and efforts are ongoing to increase participation. “We anticipate that soon, more than half of oral health professionals across most provinces will participate,” Minister Mark Holland stated.
Christopher Aoun, press secretary to Minister Holland, highlighted that over two million seniors, including over 100,000 Albertans, have already enrolled in the program. He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable oral health care through the Canadian Dental Care Plan, expressing a willingness to collaborate with Alberta to ensure residents receive necessary dental care.