On Day 1, only about 15% of B.C. dentists have signed on to new federal plan
CTV
As of May 1, the new federally-run Canadian Dental Care Plan provides coverage for nearly two million low-income seniors. But finding a provider in B.C. could be tough.
As of May 1, the new federally-run Canadian Dental Care Plan provides coverage for nearly two million low-income seniors.
Joining the program is optional for dentists.
Dr. Robert Toews at Foundation Dental in New Westminster didn’t hesitate to sign up.
“As soon as I heard the program was going to happen, I realized we are going to help a lot of people in the community who don’t get access to care on a regular basis, and that's inspiring,” said Toews, who saw his first patient who was covered under the new plan on Wednesday.
Dr. Jordan Galpin at Burrard Dental Clinic in Vancouver also signed on right away.
“When you have a patient come in and you know they need certain work, and the biggest limiting factor is they can’t afford it, it’s frustrating for the patient and frustrating for the clinician,” said Galpin. ”So I’m excited that when we see cases that need to be done, we can offer that, and price is no longer a major limiting factor.”
But those two clinics are in the minority. According to the BC Dental Association, only about 15 per cent of providers in the province have signed onto the new program.
