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Volume 2 Issue 5
CDA
at
W
ork
The main focuses of this year’s meetings,
held on May 5 and 6, were the review of
the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
program and oral health standards for
veterans in long-term care (LTC) facilities.
The CDA delegation held 35 meetings with
parliamentarians over the course of two
days in May, including ministers, officials in
the Prime Minister’s Office, senior officials,
senators, and other Members of Parliament.
Other key topics of discussion were food
labelling as it pertains to sugar consumption
and prescription drug issues.
CDA was joined by representatives of the
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) to discuss
the review of the NIHB program with key
parliamentarians. “We wanted to reiterate
our strong support of the current joint
review of the program by AFN and Health
Canada, which we are hopeful will lead to
an effective and patient-focused program,”
says Dr. Alastair Nicoll, CDA president.
“We also emphasized that the program
review must be seen through to its
conclusion to ensure it is both adequately
funded and administratively efficient. First
Nations and Inuit populations need and
deserve an NIHB program that is based
primarily on client needs and focused on
improving client outcomes.”
With regard to the oral health care needs
of veterans in LTC facilities, CDA wanted
to underline the capacity of Veteran
Affairs Canada (VAC) to show leadership
on standards of care for seniors. “The
Department plays a vital role in providing
care for a segment of Canada’s elders. And
because of its contractual relationships with
close to 200 care facilities across the country,
VAC can positively influence the quality of
oral health care offered to all seniors in LTC
facilities,” explains Dr. Thomas Raddall, chair
of CDA’s advocacy committee.
CDA’s Days on
the Hill event—an
annual initiative
that connects
dentists with federal
parliamentarians to
discuss issues affecting
dentistry—was
an opportunity to
advocate for policy
change to help
improve the oral
health of Canadians.
Dentists Meet with Parliamentarians on
NIHB and Seniors Issues
DAYS ONTHE HILL
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