Approximately 30% of dentists in British Columbia have enrolled in the new federal dental insurance plan, according to reports.
Dr. Robert Wolanski from the B.C. Dental Association explained to Global News that the implementation of the program, which would normally take five to seven years, was expedited to just 18 months. However, he noted that the complexity of the contract has been a deterrent for many dentists.
Wolanski clarified that there is a misconception among the public that the plan covers all dental expenses with a simple card swipe, which isn’t the case. He highlighted billing issues and bureaucratic challenges that dental providers have encountered since the program’s launch.
Federal Health Minister Mark Holland acknowledged these concerns, stating that dental professionals are now allowed to bill on a case-by-case basis to ease into the program gradually. Many dentists are cautious and prefer to test the program before fully committing to it, Holland added.
Despite claims by the government that the plan offers comprehensive services, Wolanski disputed this, asserting that there are co-payments and coverage limitations that patients may not fully understand.
Since its launch in May, the federal government reported processing 250,000 claims under the new dental insurance program.