Oral Health Month

SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2024 • SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS Oral Health Month 3 Those requests include a plan for patients to choose their dental care provider along with the ability to access providers within their community. "We want to see a plan that enhances healthcare coverage for all Canadians. So, that would also mean protecting coverage for patients with existing benefits, and lowering the barriers to those who are currently uninsured." Meanwhile, other senior citizens started registering in January, February, and March, with others due to register in May. Those with a disability tax credit and children under 18 can register in June. All remaining eligible Canadians can register in early 2025. Oral health care workers were being asked to enroll in the plan starting the week of March 11-18. "That's not a design that exists in any other public or private plan in Canada," Baxter says. "So, that difference already creates a barrier. It has some terms and conditions that practitioners need to sign to participate. That's a barrier because there are some components of the registration that are unknown." For example, practitioners don't yet know how much the plan will cover for individual services. Patients must also ask their oral health care provider whether they are participating in the plan. If not, the plan will not cover any costs. According to the release, the plan will cover one hundred per cent of the cost for those with family incomes of less than $70,000. "Currently, patients choose their provider based on their needs, with their insurance covering the eligible costs of treatment. Patients have existing relationships with providers that have been built over the years. The CDCP limits that choice to only participating providers by requiring dentists to enter a legal agreement with the government, the implications of which dentists are looking to understand." Families with incomes of $70- 79,999 will get 60 per cent coverage, and those with incomes of $80,000- 89,999 will get 40 per cent of what the plan covers. Ultimately, the CDCP must do a better job of looking out for everyone's best interests. "We want to make sure that we can develop a successful program that learns f rom other areas around the world that have similar plans," Baxter says. "We want to avoid a scenario where patients can't get the care that they're looking for." For more information on the plan, call 1-833-537-4342 or Teletype 1-833-677-6262. >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 14 Pediatric & Orthodontic specialists and growing! Did yOu kNow yOur oral heAlTh imPacTs yOur overalL heAlTh? CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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