Canadian Dental Association releases first comprehensive assessment of dental care plan: nearly 4 million patients served

Full report

The paper, titled "From Coverage to Care," was unveiled at a breakfast event on Parliament Hill attended by parliamentarians and oral health leaders. It draws on national surveys of patients, dentists and employers, consultations with provincial and territorial dental associations, and available program data.

Among the findings: 88% of patients rate their experience positively and 75% say their care is more affordable; more than 90% of dentists now participate in the program. CDA president Dr. Kirk Preston called the CDCP "one of the most significant investments in the oral health of Canadians in our country's history."

The paper proposes more than 30 recommendations. The most pressing priorities: streamlining the preauthorization process, reducing patient confusion about coverage, making dental assistants eligible for federal loan forgiveness and the post-graduation work permit, and publishing regular CDCP data to address workforce and data gaps.

Areas still needing work include financial barriers some patients face even with CDCP support, and preauthorization denials and coverage limits that can keep patients from receiving the care their dentist recommends. CDA CEO Dr. Aaron Burry called the recommendations practical and achievable, and said the association looks forward to working with the federal government to deliver them.