Beyond Coverage: The Real Measure of Success for the Canadian Dental Care Plan The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has changed the national conversation about oral health. Anil Menon, BDS, MBA, MSc, FRSPH, FRCD(C) Dr. Menon is the division head of Dental Public Health and Community Dentistry and an assistant professor at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry at the University of Manitoba. For decades, dental care in Canada occupied an uneasy place: clearly important to health and well-being, yet still largely financed outside of public health care. Although it’s still not formally part of the Canada Health Act, the federal CDCP has now begun to change this perception and reality. Millions of Canadians have now been approved for coverage under this plan, millions have already received care and tens of thousands of oral health providers are participating in the plan. I believe it’s one of the most significant developments in Canadian oral health policy in generations. That progress deserves recognition. But it also raises a more important question: how should success really be measured? Coverage is a start, but it is not the finish line. A public dental program can expand eligibility and approve applications but still fall short of providing true access for many of the people it is meant to serve. Qualifying for coverage does not automatically mean being able to get care in the real world. Some patients may still struggle with transportation, mobility, taking time away from work, finding a participating provider, understanding what the plan covers or navigating administrative requirements. Public expectations may also exceed what any federal program can realistically include, creating frustration among practitioners and eligible patients alike. That distinction between coverage and getting access is not just semantic. It goes to the heart of whether the CDCP is achieving its intended goal. Early evidence suggests that financial support can make an important difference, especially for families in Canada who previously delayed care because of cost. But it also shows that affordability is only one part of access. There are other barriers that remain just as real: whether services are available nearby, whether clinics can accommodate patients’ circumstances, whether families understand the program and how it is structured, and finally, whether care feels attainable and acceptable in daily life. Oral Health Inequities Affordability matters, and for many Canadians, the CDCP addresses the long-standing cost barrier. But cost was never the only driver of oral health inequities in Canada. Although enrollment is an important early indicator, it should be complemented by measures of how well the program is working for people who continue to face other barriers. A parent may welcome public dental benefits and could still struggle to book and keep appointments due to lack of adequate transportation, childcare, work schedules, or even confusion about what is covered A public dental program can expand eligibility and approve applications but still fall short of providing true access for many of the people it is meant to serve. by Dr. Anil Menon 23 Issue 3 | 2026 |
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