Dentists are facing further challenges with the federal dental plan roll out. Arne9001/Dreamstime.com

By Adrian St.Onge

Federal dental plan adding challenges for Alberta dentists

Jul 23, 2024 | 3:52 PM

Costs for dental work are notoriously high and to combat the high costs, the federal government released a national dental plan to try and curb costs.

Dentists across the country, as well as those in Medicine Hat and across Alberta, have voiced their concerns about the program and the challenges seem to increase with every new roll out administered.

The federal government in June announced the expansion of the Canadian National Dental Plan, with tens of thousands of Canadians signing up.

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The expanded plan now includes all seniors aged 65 and older, patients with a valid disability tax credit and all peoples under the age of 18.

Dr. Jenny Doerksen, president of the Alberta Dental Association, said that the government marketed the program as free, leading to confusion.

“There’s a lot of confusions about this program,” Doerksen, who practices in Red Deer, said.

READ: Alberta plans to opt out of federal dental care plan by 2026

When the NDP and Liberals announced this program, it almost sounded like it was a free dental care. However, this is a subsidized dental care based on a patient’s income.”

One Medicine Hat dental provider said on the condition of anonymity that there was significant challenges with the roll out.

Another clinic, River City Dental, said in a statement that it is “still accepting Canadian National Dental Plan patients.”

“The government has made it difficult for both patients and dental providers to navigate the new plan and we are hoping for more clarity.”

Doerksen said that a plan is needed, but needs to be rolled out more effectively.

“We all wanted to improve the access to care to those people that didn’t have a dental program. One-third of Canadians do not have dental care and have maybe difficult challenges or barriers to see a dental professional,” Doerksen said.

“So the idea was good, however, the delivery and the design of the program was flawed.”

The plan is expected to expand once again in 2025, rolling out coverage to all Canadians at varying income levels including full coverage under CDCP fees for households with $70,000 annual income.

The Alberta government said in a statement that it will withdraw from the federal plan in 2026.