A shortage of dental staff is preventing more New Brunswick dentists from enrolling in the federal dental plan, according to the New Brunswick Dental Society.
“Many dentists have not enrolled in the plan because their clinics are already at capacity and cannot take on new patients,” said Rene Comeau, Marketing Communications Specialist at the New Brunswick Dental Society (NBDS).
“We have a serious shortage of dental staff in NB,” he added.
Due to this shortage, many dentists are opting to participate in the plan on a “claim by claim” basis rather than fully enrolling.
On August 7, Health Minister Mark Holland announced a significant increase in the number of dentists agreeing to provide services under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). According to Holland, approximately 16,612 dentists are participating, representing about 75% of all dentists and dental specialists in Canada. The plan aims to serve around 2.3 million patients who have quickly enrolled.
“We are waiting for data from Health Canada on how many claims have been submitted on a ‘claim by claim’ basis in NB,” Comeau noted. “Our early predictions suggest uptake among dentists, but we are awaiting data to confirm this.”
Spending Extra Time Addressing CDCP Inquiries
Another challenge facing the CDCP is the need for greater public awareness. A NBDS recent survey indicates that the average clinic in New Brunswick spends an additional hour each day handling calls and answering questions about the CDCP. This is largely due to “misconceptions” among the public about the plan’s details and how to find enrolled providers.
“We receive several calls daily from patients who do not understand the details of the plan and how to find a provider who is enrolled,” Comeau said.
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) reported in June that some clinics are also struggling with this issue.
For example, seniors have been unaware of the income-based co-payment requirements under the CDCP, leading to confusion. To address these misconceptions, the CDA, along with the Provincial and Territorial Dental Associations (PTDAs), launched a public education campaign in June called “Know Before You Go.”
“There are ongoing efforts to improve the CDCP,” Comeau said. “The CDA continues to advocate on behalf of dentists, making us optimistic about working with the government to create the best possible plan for Canadians and providers.”
Aging Workforce Compounds Challenges
New Brunswick’s aging workforce further complicates these issues. “About 40% of dentists in NB are over the age of 50. The aging workforce and capacity issues make it difficult to meet the increased demand for services under the CDCP,” Comeau explained.
CDCP: A Historic Opportunity with Challenges
Despite these challenges, Comeau views the CDCP as a “historic” opportunity to improve dental care accessibility in Canada.
“The CDCP can help many Canadians receive dental care they otherwise may not have been able to afford,” he said. “The key is managing expectations.”
According to Statistics Canada, only about 4% of Canadians have access to provincial dental plans, while 32% have no dental insurance at all.
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