(L. to r.) Dr. Aaron Burry, CDA CEO; Dr. Lynn Tomkins, CDA immediate past-president; Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; Dr. Heather Carr, CDA president; and Dr. Joel Antel, CDA president-elect. Photo: Adam Scotti, Office of the Prime Minister DENTAL DIGEST In April, representatives of CDA went to Parliament Hill to meet with members of all political parties for discussions on a range of oral health issues, including the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). The highlights included a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to celebrate the historic funding for dental care in Canada and to discuss a viable path forward to improve the oral health of Canadians. As the federal government considers implementation of the CDCP, it is important that they continue to consult and collaborate with Canada’s dentists and other stakeholders on the design of a long-term program that will provide highquality care to those who need it most. As such, CDA has created a policy roadmap with recommendations to deliver a program that is sustainable, effective, and accessible to all Canadians, while minimizing disruptions for those that already have dental coverage. CDA on Parliament Hill for Discussions on Federal Dental Care Alliance for a Cavity Free Future Policy Lab In 2022, CDA was invited to attend a policy lab, organized by the Alliance for a Cavity Free Future (ACFF) and the Oral Health Policy Lab Network (OHPLN), focused on trying to answer the following question: Given recent developments in oral health care policy and practice in Canada and internationally, what else is needed in terms of investments or other conditions to maximize caries prevention and care amongst infants and children? This policy lab brought together professionals from diverse fields including dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, academics, as well as government and health services representatives, economists and others to discuss and create a range of policy recommendations for the proposed question. The resulting “menu” of policy options from the lab can then be adapted for use by governments, international bodies and health organizations, as needed. These events encourage rapid and creative interprofessional thinking to develop novel responses that are practical and grounded in the existing evidence base. The results of the November 2022 policy lab are now available as a full report, executive summary and infographics. See: acffglobal.org/projects/policy-network 24 | 2023 | Issue 3
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