Canada’s dental-care plan to take claims soon, but dentists still waiting on details
Global News
Dentists, hygienists and other dental-care providers still don't have details about how the program will work or how much the government will pay for services.
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.
