(The Canadian Press)

By Derek Craddock

NATIONAL DENTAL BENEFIT

Canada Dental Benefit could mean fewer patients in dental school clinics says College of Dentistry

May 31, 2023 | 5:00 PM

It’s now been a few months since Canada’s National Dental Benefit came into force and while it’s a big benefit for families and young children, there’s some concern for aspiring dentists.

The federal government implemented the Dental Benefit late last year which, provides money for dental care to eligible families making less than $90,000 annually. This comes in the form of tax-free payments between $260 and $650.

While there is no data yet on how much these payments have saved Canadian families, Dr. Walter Siqueira with the University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry said it has resulted in more children going to the dentist.

However, he noted that those using the Dental Benefit go to private offices rather than dental school clinics like the one at the University of Saskatchewan.

“In the long term, the training of the next generation of dentists or dental assistants or dental hygienists in Canada could be affected by the lack of patients in the dental schools,” he said adding that one of the main reasons for this is the time it takes to complete dental procedures between private offices and the college.

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“In the dental school, because it’s a training process, maybe you take one and a half hours, two hours to make the same procedure. So, what do you prefer? Of course, you want to prefer to go to the one that takes half an hour.”

The College of Dentistry in Prince Albert is currently closed as the university is revamping its dental program. It’s expected to re-open in August of this year with the Dental Therapy Program and funding of $2.1 million from the federal government.

That money will help pay to train 21 people per year in Saskatchewan and hopes to address a shortage of dental workers in remote areas.

Three campuses, one in Prince Albert, one in Regina and one in La Ronge, will train seven students per year in each location.

While many surveys show an overall positive response to the dental plan, many Canadians still have their concerns.

The Institute For Research on Public Policy noted that some Canadians are concerned that the benefit will result in higher taxes. As the benefit only covers a few hundred dollars, the Institute also mentioned that it will still leave parents with hundreds, if not thousands more paying out of pocket.

Last year, the Parliamentary Budget Officer worried the new benefit would be susceptible to fraud if verification measures aren’t put in place.

The legislation would only require Canadians to attest that they have received or plan to receive dental services and are not covered by an insurance program.

Despite the concerns, Siqueira says the program is beneficial for Saskatchewan residents but hopes for a long-term plan that benefits dental students and patients.

“The government is going in the right direction. Of course, this was just the first step to implement this plan,” he said.

“What we want as educators and as dentists and healthcare providers that have a plan that supports the Canadian population.”

-With files from The Canadian Press