Back in February 2019, two police officers intervened during a dental-fee dispute and are now being suspended for their actions. Leveesa Lessey, a 38-year-old mother, took her son to a dentist appointment to have cavities filled. She agreed to amalgam fillings, typically covered by insurance, but the dentist used composite fillings which were going to … Read more
While dentists and patients alike are happy to see practices reopening, the new normal carries some harsh realities. One of the most notable is the increased cost of doing business. Increasing prices and usage of PPE (personal protective equipment) is just the tip of the iceberg. Dentists across North America are investing small fortunes in … Read more
As businesses and services such as dentists, mechanic shops and salons reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic; some places are passing on the cost of personal protective equipment to customers. Not everyone is happy about having to pay the extra fees. Stephanie Platero is heading to the dentist next week, but was surprised to find out … Read more
Dental offices across the province closed during the COVID-19 shutdown have been reopening their doors to the public this past week, but not everyone is smiling. As people return to visit their dentists for dental work put off during the pandemic, some patients are being informed they must pay an extra fee for the use … Read more
At the offices of Dr. Taras Konanec, patients can expect to see an extra charge on their next dental visit, thanks to COVID-19. The Montreal dentist is adding a set fee to visits as suggested by his professional association to compensate for increased expenses. Most of his colleagues are doing the same. “Patients who are … Read more
After nearly two months at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Erica Schoenradt was making plans in May to see her dentist for a checkup. Then she got a notice from Swish Dental that the cost of her next visit would include a new $20 “infection control fee” that likely would not be covered by … Read more
At Barry Dolman’s Côte-des-Neiges dental clinic, contractors are working around the clock putting in glass doors to seal off his two examination rooms and installing a new ventilation system that will vacuum the air from around patients’ mouths and pump it outside. Many dentists who have open-concept operatory layouts are resorting to using plastic tarps … Read more
Manitoba’s dentists are trying to reopen their practices after being closed for several weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, but increased safety measures come with added costs, supply chain issues, and less capacity to treat patients. “It’s a much more stringent protocol because the virus is so communicable,” said Dr. Alan Grant, who owns Kildonan … 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
Alberta’s dental association and college has released its 2020 guide for dental fees, outlining a roughly 4.4 per cent increase across a suite of services offered by dentists. “As overhead increases the fees must also increase in order for practices to remain viable,” said Dr. Randall Croutze, CEO of the Alberta Dental Association and College … Read more
It’s just not enough. That’s what local non-profit and community assistance programmers are saying about the first dental fee guide to come out in Alberta since 1997. Pushed by the provincial government, the Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA&C) updated the guide, which lowered prices by an average of 8.5 per cent. The recommended cost of a … Read more
Stay on top of the competition. A good place to start is to know who and where your competition is, yet 17.4 per cent of Canadian dentists* don’t know how their fees compare to other dentists in their area. While there are many factors (region, practice size, etc.) to determine if this should be a … Read more
The Alberta government has come to an agreement with the Alberta Dental Association and College on a new fee guide. Health Minister Sarah Hoffman announced Wednesday morning the guide recommends an 8.5 per cent drop in dental prices for 60 procedures. Hoffman said the fee guide can serve as a tool for consumers to compare … Read more
Alberta’s health minister isn’t happy with prices coming down by just three per cent in the new fee guide published by the Alberta Dental Association and College this month, according to the CBC. With Alberta having the highest dentistry fees of any province, the college published its first fee guide since 1997 two weeks ago. But the guide wasn’t enough … Read more