Martin Samoiloff recently completed his appointment at the Manitoba Dental College and was pleasantly surprised to learn that his entire treatment was free. Having turned 65, he became eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which is designed for seniors without dental insurance and with a family income under $90,000 per year.
The University of Manitoba’s Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry operates seven teaching clinics at its Bannatyne campus. Here, final-year students practice their skills under the supervision of experienced faculty members. The clinic offers a wide range of services, from general dentistry to sleep apnea treatments and radiology, with fees that are 30-50% lower than those at private practices. Samoiloff has been a loyal patient since the late 1970s. He stated, “I have been happy to support the dental college over all these years because it has actually provided a very consistent service which is nothing short of excellent.” However, with many seniors now accessing the new dental coverage, fewer patients are visiting the college.
Federal Health Minister Mark Holland recently announced that over one million people have utilized the dental program in the past six months. Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis, dean of the College of Dentistry, mentioned that they are currently collecting data on how the CDCP affects their program.
The training provided at the College of Dentistry is crucial for students, most of whom tend to remain in Manitoba after graduation. “Because we train students, and they need to be trained to a competency level, having fewer patients can become an issue,” Kelekis-Cholakis explained. She is also concerned about potential delays in procedure approvals due to the full implementation of the CDCP, which could impact the graduating class of 2025.
Kelekis-Cholakis emphasized the importance of patient participation in training future oral health care providers. “We are very appreciative of our patients. Once they come here and interact with students, they understand what it means to participate in educating future professionals,” she said.
Samoiloff expressed his commitment to continue attending the college’s clinics despite having CDCP coverage. He values the opportunity to help train the next generation of oral health care professionals while receiving quality care.
In response to these challenges, the College of Dentistry is exploring solutions such as increased funding, sending students to external clinics, and offering other incentives to attract more patients.
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