More than 70% of dentists across Canada are now participating in the new public dental insurance program, known as the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). This marks a significant rise from the 50% participation reported just a month earlier.
The federal government credits this increase to new changes implemented on July 8, which allow dental clinics to submit claims without needing to officially register as CDCP providers. These adjustments enable dentists, denturists, and independent hygienists to treat patients covered by the CDCP and receive reimbursement from the federal government on a case-by-case basis.
Health Minister Mark Holland announced that over 6,500 oral health-care providers have joined the program since the rule changes. “The level of participation has exceeded our expectations,” Holland told CBC News on Tuesday. Currently, 16,612 dentists, 1,746 denturists, and 857 independent dental hygienists are accepting CDCP patients. This totals over 19,000 oral health-care providers out of an estimated 25,170 potential participants.
Holland noted that more than 75% of all eligible oral health-care professionals are now involved, with dentists participating at a slightly lower rate of over 70%. He assured that efforts are ongoing to address any concerns from hygienists, denturists, and dentists, aiming for full participation. “We are committed to resolving any issues and achieving 100% enrollment,” he said during a press conference at an Ottawa dental clinic.
Initially, there were concerns about the program’s ability to meet patient demand due to low registration numbers. Dental associations raised issues with the required paperwork and contracts. In response, the federal government allowed clinics to treat patients on a case-by-case basis, thus retaining existing patients without needing full registration.
Holland has promoted this approach as a trial option for dentists and has assured that the case-by-case claim submission will remain available permanently.
In the first three months of the program, the Canadian Dental Association reported that 450,000 Canadians received dental care through the CDCP. The association expressed support for the program and acknowledged improvements made in response to initial concerns. “We are committed to working with the government to enhance the CDCP,” the association stated.
The CDCP represents a major expansion of Canada’s universal health-care system, costing taxpayers $13 billion over the next five years. It aims to cover one in four low- and middle-income Canadians lacking private dental insurance. Currently, applications are open to seniors, children under 18, and those receiving the federal disability tax credit. Applications for the broader eligible population will begin in January 2025.
Meanwhile, Conservative health critic Stephen Ellis has criticized the program, calling it “botched” and labeling Health Minister Holland’s remarks as “wacko.” Ellis’s statement, provided through a party spokesperson, argues that the program fails to serve most Canadians and may still result in out-of-pocket expenses for some. “The program is plagued by chaos, red tape, and higher costs,” the statement reads.
Holland responded to the criticism by dismissing it as misleading. “It’s ironic that the Conservatives are criticizing the program for confusion when they are a primary source of misinformation,” he said. Holland invited debate on the program’s merits and challenged critics to identify providers experiencing issues with the CDCP.