Oral health is a vital part of overall health, and all Canadians have a right to good oral health. We support efforts to improve access to dental care for those who need it most, such as seniors, children, those with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, racialized Canadians, and low-income families. The single best way to quickly improve … Read more
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) applauds today’s announcement by the Prime Minister of an agreement reached between the Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party that prioritizes a new oral health care program for low-income Canadians, including seniors. “Improved access to oral health care for seniors in Canada tops our list of … Read more
A lack of insurance coverage is forcing more than a third of people in Canada’s largest city to go without dental care, a new report says. About 35 per cent of residents don’t have dental insurance, forcing many to avoid the dentist altogether due to the cost, according to the report from the Toronto Foundation, an organization … Read more
Ontario intends to develop a “portable benefits” system for workers who don’t have health, dental or vision coverage, with the package intended to move with the individuals if they change jobs. The concept was recommended in a recent report from an expert committee tasked by the government with addressing labour disruptions from the pandemic. It’s … Read more
Health equity advocates see President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to provide dental coverage to those on Medicare, nearly half of whom did not visit a dentist in 2018 — well before the pandemic paused dental appointments for many people. The rates were even higher for Black (68%), Hispanic (61%) and low-income … Read more
About 600,000 young Scots can now get dental care free of charge, the Scottish Government has announced, as ministers pledged more cash to help the sector recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Dentists are to receive a further £7.5m of funding, with the government cash allowing practices to buy new drills, which do … Read more
More seniors in the Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland areas are now eligible to access free dental care, thanks to recently announced new income limits. The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is promoting new income limits that increase eligibility for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP). The publicly-funded program covers the cost of … Read more
The Canada Life Assurance Company (Canada Life), a subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco Inc., has reached an agreement to acquire ClaimSecure Inc. (ClaimSecure), an industry-leading healthcare management firm that provides health and dental claim management services to private and public businesses in Canada. This transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals, and … Read more
Many working-age people assume that Medicare covers just about every kind of health care that an older person may need. It doesn’t. Some of the biggest gaps involve dental, vision and hearing services. Medicare does not cover dental cleanings or root canals. It doesn’t cover everyday eyeglasses and contact lenses. It doesn’t cover hearing aids. Now … Read more
The Liberal government indicated on Tuesday that it’s uninterested in supporting an NDP motion calling for the creation of a federal dental care program, and that, instead, it wants a parliamentary committee to study the idea. M-62, the dental care motion that was first debated in the House on Tuesday, was put forward by NDP … Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised Canadians’ anxiety levels: anxiety about contracting the virus, financial hardship and isolation. But one thing Canadians don’t have to worry about is how they’ll pay for essential health care if they need it. For that, at least, all we need is our health card. Actually, that last part is only partially … Read more
A Penticton mom has started a petition hoping to see better dental coverage from the government, after finding out that her seven-year-old daughter’s cleft palate surgeries weren’t covered by medical care either through the provincial or federal governments. Arrin Morcombe, her husband Riley and their three children live in the South Okanagan. They found out … Read more
Jagmeet Singh is calling on the prime minister to implement free dental care in Canada for the “millions” of Canadians who have no coverage. In a tweet shared on February 2, the NDP leader urged the Liberal government to “introduce comprehensive dental care as part of our healthcare system.” He went on to say that millions of Canadians can’t afford dental care right … Read more
As the province develops its first oral health strategy, new numbers show that fewer and fewer Nova Scotians are taking advantage of existing oral health services for children. The Department of Health and Wellness expanded dental coverage for children 14 and under last year, but that program is being accessed three per cent less often … Read more
The largest payer of dental services in Alberta says a 4.4 per cent increase in fee guide rates for dental services is out of touch and encourages Albertans to save money with out-of-province treatment. “While we appreciate our close working relationship with Alberta dental providers, we are surprised and disappointed that the dental association would … Read more
The New Democrats are pressing Justin Trudeau’s government to scale back a broad tax cut to free up money for a national program to ensure dental care for Canadians who can’t afford it. Finance Minister Bill Morneau on Monday tabled legislation to make good on the tax break that was promised by the Liberals in the election which they … Read more
Dr. Kim Hansen says there’s a lot of confusion about the new Ontario Seniors’ Dental Care Program. The Prescott dentist and President of the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) noted public Health Units have been tasked with administering the program. Dr. Hansen explained rural areas will be served by a dental bus and seniors may have … Read more
Accessing good dental care is not easy for thousands of low income New Zealanders, and for one woman, it is an unaffordable dream, as she cannot take on more debt. Work and Income is funding at least $20 million a year in dental work for low-income workers and beneficiaries. More than half of the grants … Read more
Everyone will be entitled to a “free teeth MOT” in England under a Labour government, the party says. Labour is proposing to scrap band one dentistry charges, which cover a check up, a scale and polish, and any X-rays that may be needed. It believes patients are put off going because of the fee – … Read more
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his party could vote against the upcoming throne speech if it doesn’t offer commitments to parts of the party’s platform, including a universal pharmacare plan. “We are absolutely open to voting against the throne speech if it doesn’t include some of the priorities we know Canadians need,” he told reporters this afternoon. … Read more