The Canadian Federal Government has released data on usage and participation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan. This is the first time that statistics have been provided. Moreover, the data offers an insight into how different provinces and territories are using and interacting with the plan.
The Canadian Federal government has released interesting information on participation data for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for the first time [1].
The information outlines data on both patients and healthcare providers in each province. Interestingly, participation ranges from province to province.
So which province has the highest rate? It turns out that Ontario is currently leading the way in terms of patient participation rates [1].
Background
The Canadian Dental Care Plan was first rolled out in December 2023. Over 2 million people have applied for the plan in the last nine months [1].
The intention of the CDCP is for those from low and medium income families to receive financial assistance with dental costs.
Eligibility for the CDCP has gradually increased since the initial rollout of the plan. So far, those aged 65 and over, adults with a disability tax credit certificate and children under 18 are eligible [1].
However, from 2025, applications will open for those aged 18 to 64. Therefore, this will mean that everyone who meets eligibility criteria – regardless of their age – will be able to apply for the plan [1].
Overall statistics on the CDCP
The CDCP has received applications from 2,356,882 eligible patients. A total of 517,491 patients have received care [1].
Therefore, the total rate of participation across all Canadian provinces and territories is 21.96% [1]. This means that just over 1 in 5 eligible applicants have received care.
This number produces mixed feelings. It is positive to see that over 500,000 people have received care under the CDCP. Hopefully, this has resulted in improved oral health for these patients.
However, this figure also means that almost 2 million eligible applicants have not received care under the CDCP [1]. While some will have upcoming appointments, there are a huge number of people potentially neglecting their oral health.
The exact treatments that are available under the plan vary depending on the province. General check-ups and dental restorations are among the services offered.
How do provinces and territories compare?
Patient participation ranges significantly in the various provinces and territories. Participation ranges from 27.36% to 2.68% [1].
Ontario is the province that has the highest participation rate [1]. Their rate is at 27.36% – meaning over a quarter of eligible patients have received care under the CDCP.
Other provinces with a participation rate of above 20% include Newfoundland and Labrador (22.60%), British Columbia (22.57%) and Quebec (20.29%) [1].
Conversely, other provinces and territories have low participation rates. For example, the Northwest Territories/Nunavut/Yukon have just a 2.68% participation rate – representing the lowest participation rate [1].
This is unsurprising, given that there is an ongoing concern regarding the dental challenges facing indigenous people – who have a high population in those areas [2].
Other provinces and territories below 10% include New Brunswick (7.53%) and Prince Edward Island (8.50%) [1]. There is certainly room for improvement in these areas.
Manitoba (14.71%), Saskatchewan (14.55%), Alberta (14.53%) and Nova Scotia (12.84%) all have similar participation rates [1]. Despite these being promising figures, these provinces also have scope for an increase in participation.
Healthcare providers
The government has also released figures on the providers of the CDCP. Enrolment into the CDCP is optional for dental clinics.
The highest percentage of provider participation is in Ontario – where 43.36% of dental providers offer care under the CDCP [1]. This means that almost half of dental clinics offer care.
The lowest rate of participation is in Price Edward Island, where just 0.22% of providers offer care under the CDCP [1].
It should be noted that the number of providers vary greatly between provinces and territories. Moreover, data for some provinces and territories is not available.
Summary
The statistics are very interesting. There are many positives, with many people receiving oral care. But there are also some concerns.
Perhaps the biggest concern involves the differences in the number of providers in some areas. This creates a situation where some eligible patients do not have access to a dental provider that offers the CDCP.
The next major milestone for the CDCP will be in 2025, when the eligibility of the CDCP increases further. This is likely to result in a rise in the number of applications.
The figures are accurate as of August 2024. The government has announced that they will be updating the data on a monthly basis. It will be interesting to see if these figures change over the forthcoming months. Hopefully we will see patient participation rise further.
Thinking points…
[1] While eligibility for the CDCP will increase further in 2025, you shouldn’t wait if you need dental care! We strongly recommend that you attend a dental clinic soon for a check-up. At a check-up, a dentist can take a look at your oral health, provide advice, and suggest treatment if necessary. We recommend that you book an appointment now!
[2] One of the leading factors in the creation of the CDCP is that many people find the cost of dental care to be too high. However, here at our Calgary dental clinic, Taradale Dental, our prices are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This means that our fees are transparent, reliable, and trustworthy! If you wanted to find out more about us, we recommend you take a look at our website – https://taradaledental.ca/!
What we offer at Taradale Dental
Taradale Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. At our Calgary dental clinic, we provide a range of services for our patients.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.
Here at Taradale Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
Moreover, the fees of our treatments at our Calgary dental clinic Taradale Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing, with no hidden costs.
We hope to see you soon at our Taradale Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://taradaledental.ca/!
References
[1] Government of Canada. (2024). Canadian Dental Care Plan Statistics. Available: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/statistics.html. Last accessed: 14th September 2024.
[2] Hussain, A. (2022). Key Challenges for Indigenous Peoples of Canada in terms of Oral Health Provision and Utilization: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Dentistry. 7511213. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155%2F2022%2F7511213.
