by the plan and what needs to be paid out-of-pocket. A senior may be eligible for care but unable to travel independently to a dental office. A person living in a rural or remote community may technically have coverage but still face limited provider availability. Someone with low health literacy or limited English may not know how to apply, renew or even make use of the plan. In each of these cases, coverage exists, but access remains incomplete. This is why the real measure of success for the CDCP is not simply how many people are enrolled in the program. It’s more about whether the program is reducing long-standing barriers for those who have historically gone without care. This is especially important for seniors and other vulnerable groups. For healthier, mobile older adults living independently, the CDCP may open the door to long-delayed care. But for frail seniors, those living in long-term care (LTC), or those with mobility, cognitive or medical challenges, the reality is more complicated. Even a well-designed program may need ongoing refinement to better reach those with the greatest oral health needs. The same caution applies more broadly. If the CDCP is to succeed as a public health program, it must work not only for those who are easiest to reach but also for those who face multiple and overlapping barriers. That includes low-income families, rural residents, people with disabilities, newcomers and older adults whose oral health needs are often linked to broader medical and social vulnerability. How to Measure CDCP Success There is also an implementation story that deserves more attention. In its current form, the CDCP is essentially a stand-alone dental care benefit, with some level of coordination with existing social assistance programs in some provinces. But even a strong public program depends on how well it is understood and supported at the point of care. Patients need clear information. Providers need confidence in how the plan works. Administrative processes need to be manageable. When uncertainty persists, even a well-intentioned policy can lose momentum where it matters most: in dental offices, community clinics, dental schools or LTC settings. Public programs achieve their full impact when patients can use them easily, and providers can work with them effectively. This is why, as the CDCP matures, it will be increasingly important to consider not only participation numbers but also meaningful access indicators. Are people receiving preventive care earlier or only coming in once the disease is advanced? Are those with the greatest burden of untreated disease actually receiving care? Are patients able to maintain continuity or are they receiving one-time treatments? Are frail seniors, rural residents and others facing structural barriers benefiting to the same extent as healthier and more mobile enrollees? Are access gains being felt equally across communities? These questions go beyond application counts and participation totals and will be important for understanding the program’s longer-term impact. As the program evolves, so too should the way its success is measured and understood. The good news is that Canada is finally in a position to ask them. Public dental policy is no longer a theoretical discussion. The CDCP has brought oral health to the forefront of national conversations about access, prevention, aging and equity. That alone is a major achievement. It has created momentum, public awareness and an opportunity to build a more inclusive oral health care system. These will be the real measures of success. The real measure of success for the CDCP is not simply how many people are enrolled in the program. It’s more about whether the program is reducing long-standing barriers for those who have historically gone without care. We love to hear from our readers— the dentists of Canada. This commentary was submitted to CDA Essentials. Please send any articles, editorials, commentaries or opinion pieces and we will review and consider your submission for publication. Email: publications@cda-adc.ca The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions and official policies of CDA. 24 | 2026 | Issue 3 Issues and People
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