Liberal government hopes changes to dental care program will increase uptake
CTV
Less than one year after federal Liberals announced a new dental care program to mixed reviews, the government is making changes in hopes to get more providers on board.
Less than one year after federal Liberals announced a new dental care program to mixed reviews, the government is making changes in hopes to get more providers on board.
Since its launch, the federal government says the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has seen 11,800 dental care providers sign up with Sun Life Financial to officially take part. To grow that number, Ottawa is now allowing providers to seek reimbursement from Sun Life on a claim-by-claim basis, dropping previous requirements to sign up for the program itself.
Speaking in Dartmouth today, Health Minister Mark Holland said the government heard from many dental professionals who wanted another way to participate given “bad experiences” with other programs in the past.
Speaking about the changes, Holland said he hopes the ability to take part in the program on a claim-by-claim basis will rapidly increase the number of dentists who accept CDCP patients.
“One of the things I hear is that, you know, they have been burned by other programs, that they didn't have positive experiences,” he said about why some dentists have been hesitant to sign up. “Making sure that they see and feel that this program is really listening to them and is responding to their needs and is there for them, is a fair partnership, is extremely important.”
Before today's change, clients seeking coverage under the plan could only seek treatment from participating dentists and other providers that were listed on the insurance company’s website. Officials speaking on background say they hope the change will make it easier for clients to see the dentist of their choice.
"There are providers, and we wanted to listen to them, who had concerns about the need to sign up formally to Sun Life but wanted to see CDCP clients," said one Health Canada official speaking on background during a technical briefing. "As of today, they can submit a claim and it will be processed by Sun Life."
