Some dentists are questioning the long-term sustainability of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) as more than two million people have received care under the program, out of at least four million approved.
The Prince Edward Island Dental Association remains concerned about the program’s viability, its president Matt Gilchrist told SaltWire this week.
“Providers are getting a little bit frustrated with delays and issues associated with the approval and administrative processes of the plan,” he said. “Adding more patients to an office could make things worse and consume more resources.”
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While a 2023 survey by the association found 90 per cent of dentists in the province did not plan to participate, Health Canada says 85 per cent of P.E.I. dentists have now submitted at least one CDCP claim.
Meanwhile, dental surgeon Dr. Thomas Detert based in Blind River, ON told CBC Radio that while the program has helped patients who haven’t seen a dentist in years, it’s straining capacity. He compared it to the wider Canadian health-care system, where patient demand often exceeds provider availability.
Still, a national Survey of Oral Health Care Providers released in May found that most dentists reported being able to see new patients within one month.
So far, the total number of oral health providers participating in the CDCP is 25,668 as of May 23.
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