Dentists, hygienists still in the dark on details of federal dental-care plan
With just months to go before patients can start making appointments, dentists, hygienists and other dental-care providers are still waiting for crucial details about how the federal government's new dental-care plan will work and how much they will be compensated.
The government began accepting applications in January and eligibility for different groups is being phased in over time, with more than 400,000 seniors over the age of 72 enrolled so far.
But dental providers say they still don't have details about how the program will work, how much the government will pay for services or how providers can sign up.
"I think that we are running out of time, and we need to get these details wrapped up very soon," said Dr. Heather Carr, president of the Canadian Dental Association.
It's still possible dentists will be able to get the information they need and register in time, but it will be challenging, she said, and the details dentists are waiting for will be critical to the success of the program.
"Dentists really want to care for these patients, but we just need to know exactly what the criteria are that we'll be working under."
Health Minister Mark Holland is expected to meet with the association later this week, and said he will be ready to reveal those crucial details soon.
"There's some difficulties and challenges in some of those conversations, but we're ready, imminently, to be able to share information with all providers, with all dentists," he said at a press conference outside the House of Commons on Wednesday.
The Liberals agreed to deliver federal dental coverage to uninsured Canadians with an annual household income under $90,000 in exchange for the New Democrats' support on key votes in the House of Commons as part of a political pact.
Last year, the government budgeted $13 billion to get the plan off the ground.
"I think it's time that they were made well aware of the details of the plan, as we all should be, because we expect people to be in dental chairs in May," said NDP health critic Don Davies, who has worked closely with the health minister on the development of the program.
Davies has advocated for dentists and other oral health-care providers to be compensated at the same rates they receive when they treat people with regular employer-provided insurance plans.
"I don't expect dental professionals to have to subsidize this dental-care plan," he said.
A common theme among dental programs that have failed over the last 100 years in Canada is that the government hasn't paid dental health professionals appropriately, he said.
Each province has its own guide to how much dental services cost.
"It's only appropriate to respect the different provinces and territories' fee guides," said Dr. Brock Nicolucci, president of the Ontario Dental Association.
The government modelled many aspects of the plan on the non-insured health benefits plan the government runs for First Nations and Inuit people, and government officials have said the fees will likely match the ones offered under that program.
The plan for First Nations and Inuit communities doesn't offer the same compensation as private insurance programs, but usually comes within 85 per cent.
Holland said he wants to make sure the compensation for oral health providers is fair and that they have the information they need.
Many dentists in Ontario are frustrated by the lack of information at this stage, Nicolucci said, and they want to make sure people are able to have their choice of oral-health providers when the program is up and running.
Holland said he can't promise the program will run perfectly right away, but it will be an improvement over the current situation.
"We cannot allow perfection to be the enemy of progress here," Holland said.
Providers are also still unclear about the administrative burden associated with the program, but dental hygienists have been assured that the government is looking to minimize it as much as possible, said Angie D'Aoust, director of communications for the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association.
Health Canada estimates the program will be available to nine million Canadians when it is fully implemented.
On Wednesday, the government opened enrolment to people aged 72 and older, and it plans to extend it to all seniors by May.
In June, the program will open to people under the age of 18 and people who qualify for a disability tax credit.
"It should be about half a million people a month being enrolled in this plan for every month this year, and that's very exciting for the millions of Canadians that are going to be able to go to the dentist for the first time," Davies said.
The Conservatives have been silent, offering no position on the dental-care program.
When asked about it Wednesday outside a Conservative caucus meeting, Tory MP and finance committee member Adam Chambers shouted over his shoulder about the administrative cost, but wouldn't stop to elaborate.
The government signed a $750-million contract with Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada to administer the claims late last year.
Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos had previously announced a $15-million agreement with the company to lay the groundwork in September.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 31, 2024.
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lindholm scores the winner for Canucks in OT
Just over a minute into overtime, Elias Lindholm scored, bringing the Vancouver Canucks to victory over the Nashville Predators in Game 4.
CDC says it's identified 1st documented cases of HIV transmitted through cosmetic needles
Three women diagnosed with HIV after getting 'vampire facial' procedures at an unlicensed medical spa are believed to be the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure using needles.
All London Drugs stores closed across Western Canada due to system issue
All 79 locations of pharmacy and retail chain London Drugs are shut down Sunday, and there is no estimate on when they will be back open.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
Australian prime minister describes domestic violence as a 'national crisis' after protests
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday described domestic violence as a 'national crisis' after thousands rallied around the country against violence toward women.
Casey DeSmith won’t start Game 4 for the Canucks
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Vancouver Canucks when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series Sunday.
Putin likely didn't order death of Russian opposition leader Navalny, U.S. official says
U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely didn't order the death of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny in February, according to an official familiar with the determination.
Tornadoes kill 4 in Oklahoma, leaving trail of destruction and thousands without power
Tornadoes killed four people in Oklahoma and left thousands without power Sunday after a destructive outbreak of severe weather flattened buildings in the heart of one rural town and injured at least 100 people across the state.
Local Spotlight
Haida Elder suing Catholic Church and priest, hopes for 'healing and reconciliation'
The lawyer for a residential school survivor leading a proposed class-action defamation lawsuit against the Catholic Church over residential schools says the court action is a last resort.
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
DonAir force takes over at Oilers playoff games
As if a 4-0 Edmonton Oilers lead in Game 1 of their playoff series with the Los Angeles Kings wasn't good enough, what was announced at Rogers Place during the next TV timeout nearly blew the roof off the downtown arena.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Fergus, Ont. man feels nickel-and-dimed for $0.05 property tax bill
A property tax bill is perplexing a small townhouse community in Fergus, Ont.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
'I'm committed': Oilers fan skips haircuts for 10 years waiting for Stanley Cup win
A local Oilers fan is hoping to see his team cut through the postseason, so he can cut his hair.
'It's not my father's body!' Wrong man sent home after death on family vacation in Cuba
A family from Laval, Que. is looking for answers... and their father's body. He died on vacation in Cuba and authorities sent someone else's body back to Canada.