The BC Dental Association says while it is pleased to see Canada’s new dental plan, there are some dentists in the province who are still unsure how the program will work.
Speaking on NL Mornings, BC Dental Association President Dr. Rob Wolanski, says dentists are also not yet sure what will – and won’t – be covered by the new plan, even though seniors over the age of 87 will be able to starting applying for coverage on Monday.
“We don’t have those details as of yet. The provincial and territorial dental associations are speaking with Health Canada,” Wolanski said.
“We are the people – the dentists – who will be providing the vast majority of care, so we’re trying to give them the best advice that will allow the best accessibility and the best care.”
Wolanski also says the new plan – which is modelled after a federal health benefits program for First Nations people – has some distinct differences from a typical employer insurance program, in particular when it comes to eligibility and the administrative burden on oral health-care providers.
“There is no question that there are going to be limitation on what people will receive,” Wolanski added.
“In one sense this is really, although we’ve heard politicians and other people refer to this as a dental insurance program, its really not. It’s really a social health benefits program.”
Wolanski though says he’s pleased to see the new plan in place, which the government says will help up to nine-million Canadians with annual household incomes under $90,000 who otherwise don’t have access to dental coverage.
“As dentists, we are extremely happy that there might be an opportunity and potential for this cohort of people that have issue in terms of being to find the resources to look after their dental care so,” he said.
“We’re very much pleased about the potential possibilities moving forward.”
The Federal Government says once eligibility is expanded to all qualifying Canadian residents in 2025, the new plan – which is expected to cost $13 billion over the next five years – will be the government’s largest social program.
People who are enrolled in the program will be able to start accessing care in May of next year.
