Since its inception in May, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has enrolled just 9,000 oral health care providers to provide services to seniors aged 70 and above. Dental hygienists have highlighted their crucial role in the plan, particularly for individuals whose dentists have not yet signed up. Ron Bedu, a 77-year-old Calgarian, expressed his gratitude for the CDCP and the role of dental hygienists, stating, “Dental hygienists are awesome. Whether they work at a dental office or an independent clinic they’re fantastic.” He has been a patient at The Edge Dental Hygiene Centre in Calgary since its establishment in 2008 and continues to visit a dentist for more complex procedures. In Alberta, dental hygienists have been able to operate stand-alone practices since 2007 due to changes in the Health Professions Act, which eliminated the requirement for dentist supervision. Dental hygienists in the province can provide a range of services, including oral health assessments, oral cancer screenings, X-rays, scaling, teeth cleaning, fluoride application, and sealants. Some even operate mobile units to reach seniors in their homes. Melanie Johnston-Dore, a dental hygienist and co-owner of the Edge Dental Hygiene Centre, said, “In Alberta, we can prescribe to patients who need prescriptions, and under the CDCP, we can also provide cavity arresting treatments using silver diamine and do temporary filling restorations.” She has received positive feedback from patients and expressed satisfaction with the rollout of the federal plan. “The processing and the claim submission has been very quick. Payments have been very fast from Sunlife. We have had a lot of seniors who have not been seeking dental care in the past – people who have, with the rising cost of life in general, had to put oral care last. They are very thankful,” Johnston-Dore added. However, provincial dental associations across Canada have expressed concerns about the CDCP, arguing that the national program imposes unnecessary terms and conditions on dentists. Jenny Doerksen, President of the Alberta Dental Association, said, “We were very disappointed when the program rolled out in May because there are 1.3 million patients who are waiting but not much participation from providers and that’s because the program has been rushed.” As of July 8, 2023, oral health providers will be able to bill SunLife Insurance directly for services on a claim-by-claim basis without formally signing up for the CDCP. “We did a recent survey among our members last week and there is still the majority of dentists not participating because there’s a lot of information not being given to us,” Doerksen explained. The association recommends that patients rely on dentists for oral health diagnoses rather than hygienists due to their more extensive training. “We strongly recommend patients to get a checkup or examination diagnosis by a dentist who has the ability and training to provide the solution for their problems,” Doerksen advised. “Hygienists have a limited scope of practice. It also reduces confusion because patients can hear something from the hygienist and when they come to see the dentist we can say different things.” The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) recognizes the essential role of a diverse range of oral health professionals in the success of the CDCP, with independent hygienists playing a particularly critical role in providing preventive care services. CDHA President Francine Trudeau stated in a news release, “The participation of large numbers of oral health professionals will be integral to the success of the plan.” Doerksen emphasized that dentists are committed to providing affordable dental care to Canadians. “I think it’s important to understand that this program has been rushed,” Doerksen concluded.
Seniors Seek Dental Care under the CDCP, Independent Hygienists Play a Vital Role
