Dr. Heather Carr president@cda-adc.ca Will the GovernmentGet It Right? As I write this in early November, I’m thinking about the pending government announcement of details on the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). How will it affect my patients, myself and my colleagues across Canada? The federal government’s timeline indicates that CDCP dental benefits will be available to some Canadians at the beginning of 2024. With delays in an announcement, speculation and unofficial reports have arisen to fill the void. As CDA president and a practising dentist, I want to know whether this plan will help our most vulnerable patients. In early 2023, CDA published a policy paper for the federal government and the public that outlined what we—the dentists that provide dental care to Canadians every day—know would best serve the people who need it most. To improve the oral health of Canadians, a plan must provide patient-centred care, prioritize preventative care, not cause an undue administrative burden on dental offices, and be sustainable. I care for patients who could benefit from a well-designed plan, and I know what kind of oral health care they need. I know you do as well for the patients you see at your practice. Throughout the year, CDA and the provincial and territorial dental associations (PTDAs) have provided the federal government with critical data, information and insights about how dental care works at the practice level to meet patient needs. We have stressed that the CDCP must avoid unintended consequences, such as employers dropping their existing dental benefit plans. Such a loss could increase the number of patients eligible for CDCP from an estimated 9 million to 17 million. The associated costs would impact the sustainability of any federal oral health plan. We’ve done everything possible in providing the federal government with information and advice. I sincerely hope that they carefully consider these submissions and have listened to what we’ve been saying as they developed their plan (p. 15). Our goal has always been to ensure that you can focus on what you do best—caring for Canadians. In October, the PTDA presidents sent an open letter to MPs expressing their concern that dentists, patients and taxpayers still had no details about the government’s plans. The letter reiterated that it’s dentists, “who will be expected to deliver on the government’s promises” of increased access to care in an environment where there are still significant obstacles for many patients as well as staffing challenges in dental offices. CDA and the PTDAs synergistic efforts have a common goal, yet we serve our profession in two important, but parallel, ways. As the national voice of dentistry, CDA must maintain a relationship with the federal government to provide information on the needs of dentists and advocate for the oral health of vulnerable Canadians. No matter the makeup of parliament, CDA will always provide frank counsel, while reminding the federal government that oral health care is largely delivered through private dental offices at the provincial and territorial level. We’ve also strongly encouraged Health Canada to engage in meaningful consultations with the PTDAs. The PTDAs are taking the lead in preparing you, their members, for what is to come and advocating strongly and publicly for what dentists need from this plan. When details on the CDCP are announced, the PTDAs will be your best support in determining how it affects your community. Our collective efforts will persist once details of the plan are released. CDA and the PTDAs will continue to work with governments for changes that will improve access to care and ensure the best possible oral health outcomes for Canadians. From the President 7 Issue 6 | 2023 | CDA atWork
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