Health Minister Mark Holland rises during Question Period on April 16, 2024 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian
Health Minister Mark Holland of Ottawa unveiled modifications to the government's recent dental-care initiative on Wednesday, aiming to encourage more dentists, hygienists, and oral health providers to join. Despite 1.7 million seniors enrolling, dental and hygienists' associations report slow sign-ups due to concerns about reimbursement rates and administrative burdens.
The Liberals report that 5,000 dental-care providers, including dentists, hygienists, and denturists, have registered thus far. To address enrollment challenges, the government will allow providers to bill for services on a claim-by-claim basis without committing to the program starting in July. Holland anticipates a significant increase in participation as a result of this change.
The $13 billion dental program is a critical component of the agreement between the Liberals and the NDP, aimed at averting an early election two years ago. It is expected to extend dental coverage to up to 9 million low- and medium-income families by 2025.
The slow enrollment of dentists has prompted criticism from the Conservatives, who have previously remained silent on the dental program. Conservative health critic Stephen Ellis condemned the "dental-care debacle," highlighting the low number of enrolled dentists in certain provinces. Holland asserts that the latest adjustment will not require dentists to be registered for the program to be successful.
