CDA submitted its recommendations to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance for the PreBudget Consultation in advance of the Federal 2025 Budget. Presented in August 2024, the recommendations focused on issues impacting dental health and accessibility for Canadians. CDA’s key recommendations included: • Protecting Employer-Sponsored Dental Coverage: CDA urged the federal government to take measures to prevent Canadians from losing their employer-sponsored dental coverage due to the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). • Enhancing the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program: CDA advocates for improved accessibility of the NIHB program through enhanced access to surgical suites, a comprehensive review of the program, aligning NIHB coverage for children with Jordan’s Principle, and creating an indigenous oral health investment strategy. • Exempting Small Business Health Care Offices from Capital Gains Tax Changes: Recognizing the unique circumstances of small business health care offices, CDA recommended exempting these entities from the proposed changes to capital gains taxation announced in the 2024 federal budget. This exemption is crucial for maintaining the financial stability of small dental practices across the country. CDA Pre-Budget Submission and Key Recommendations CDA Supports Federal Efforts to Prevent Youth Access to Nicotine Replacement Therapies In August, the federal government introduced measures to reduce the access and use of nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) for recreational purposes by young people in Canada. The new measures will ban advertising, labelling and packaging that could appeal to youth. “CDA supports the federal government’s efforts to regulate and restrict the sale and advertising of NRTs, such as nicotine pouches, to youth in Canada”, said Dr. Joel Antel, CDA president. “Flavours like citrus, cool mint and cherry can attract youth. Companies must ensure these harmful and addictive products don’t appeal to children. NRTs should not target youth or be used recreationally, especially by those under age 18.” Other measures included requirements that NRTs in new and emerging formats, such as nicotine pouches, be sold only by a pharmacist or an individual working under the supervision of a pharmacist and be kept behind the pharmacy counter. Manufacturers must also submit mock-ups of labels and packages to ensure there is no youth appeal and there needs to be a frontof-package nicotine addiction warning while clearly indicating its intended use as a smoking cessation aid for adults. See: bit.ly/3XJztv0 DENTAL DIGEST • Advancing Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy: CDA emphasized the importance of prioritizing and advancing Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy, including fully implementing restrictions on food advertising targeted at children. This measure is essential for fostering healthier dietary habits and reducing dental diseases linked to poor nutrition. These recommendations reflect CDA’s commitment to promoting oral health and ensuring accessible, equitable dental care for all Canadians. 16 | 2024 | Issue 5
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