A full dental care program will be available to Canadians by 2025. The new program was unveiled in the federal budget.
President of the Canadian Dental Association Dr. Richard Holden applauds the move, “A little surprised initially, but very excited. I mean, at the Canadian Dental Association, we support any effort by the government to improve oral health of Canadians and increase access to dental care and as a as a dentist.”
He says three quarters of the population have access already through other plans, but there are still many who are without, “Seniors, children, people living with disabilities, Indigenous and racialized families and low income Canadians they all need better access, so certainly there is more room to improve.”
Dr. Holden says dental decay is the most common childhood disease in Canada, and better access to care will help that, “People might end up with dental infections and can end up in the emergency room and they would be much better treated in a dental office. Better access to care will help that.”
He adds the Association is hoping to collaborate with the federal government, “We do know that the federal government, provincial and territorial governments already have plans in place, but there’s a myriad of programs that are in place. We do know that they’re underfunded, and our hope is to collaborate.”
The government expects it will spend $5.3 billion on dental health care over the next five years.
Children under the age of 18, and seniors and persons with disabilities will be eligible for the plan in 2023.
It is expected to be fully implemented by 2025, at a cost of $1.7 billion for the year.
