To combat myths about the program, CDA and the PTDAs launched a public education program in June, called “Know Before You Go,” to address misconceptions Canadians still have about the CDCP. far, no public plan is perfect and there is still work to be done in the medium- to long-term to benefit Canadians over time. CDA will continue advocating for these changes and looks forward to working in partnership with the federal government.” The federal government has modified the CDCP, and CDA recognizes these efforts, including simplifying the terms and conditions providers must agree to and improving what treatments will be covered for eligible patients. The federal government addressed some of CDA’s other key concerns about patient privacy, agreed that unilateral changes will not be imposed on dentists, and provided details around how the CDCP will work. CDA and the provincial and territorial dental associations (PTDAs) have expressed concern about the federal government’s communication with the public about the CDCP. Public opinion research conducted by CDA found that 61% of seniors have not heard about the co-payment requirement based on income for the CDCP, and 60% of the public think communication about what services are covered is not clear. This research also showed that some dental offices are spending close to 1 hour per day explaining the CDCP to patients. To combat myths about the program, CDA and the PTDAs launched a public education program in June, called “Know Before You Go,” to address misconceptions Canadians still have about the CDCP. The program is intended to help patient have the best possible experience when visiting a dental office. In the coming months, CDA, in collaboration with the PTDAs, will continue to advocate for mitigating the potential loss of insurance coverage for those with existing employer-provided dental benefits, improving CDCP service coverage, and addressing health care human resources challenges. 10 | 2024 | Issue 4
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