Key Issues in Canadian Dentistry

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is delivering positive results for patients, with strong public support, high patient satisfaction, and growing support among dentists.

However, some challenges continue to limit access to care and create an administrative burden for dental offices. Key challenges include preauthorization denials and gaps in patients' understanding of program coverage, which are causing delays, confusion and barriers to timely treatment. Addressing these challenges will help ensure the CDCP functions more effectively for both patients and providers and improve access to timely oral health care for Canadians.

CDA urges the federal government to improve the transparency and predictability of the preauthorization process, provide better guidance and education to support accurate and efficient preauthorization submissions, and strengthen patient communications so Canadians clearly understand their coverage, costs, and how the CDCP works before receiving care.

Canada is experiencing significant workforce challenges in the oral health profession making it difficult for dental offices, especially in rural and underserved areas to hire and retain dental assistants and dental hygienists. Across Canada, there are thousands of vacancies of dental assistants and dental hygienists. These vacancies have been persistent for years and are now being significantly worsened by the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which expands access for millions of new patients.

Without targeted action to strengthen workforce planning, recruitment, and retention, workforce shortages will constrain the program’s ability to improve access to timely and affordable oral health care for Canadians.

CDA urges the federal government to provide $2 million over two years to establish a pan-Canadian oral health workforce data framework to support workforce planning, forecasting, and modelling, and for the inclusion of dental assistants in Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program, Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, and the Canada Student Grant Program. 

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has significantly expanded access to dental care, but it is creating challenges for dental education. Many patients who previously relied on dental school clinics are now choosing private practices covered by the CDCP, reducing patient volumes in teaching clinics. This loss of patients limits dental students' ability to complete the required clinical procedures for graduation.

Simultaneously, administrative barriers within the CDCP, such as preauthorization denials, are making it difficult for students to treat the patients who do remain in dental school clinics. As a result, students are missing essential hands-on training opportunities, sharing cases, and facing potential delays in graduation.

The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) is urging the federal government to streamline CDCP preauthorization processes, provide short-term funding to support dental school clinics, and work with provincial, territorial, and education partners to develop a sustainable long-term training model. 

Oral health is an essential component of overall health and well-being, yet Indigenous peoples in Canada continue to experience disproportionately higher rates of oral diseases. These disparities are closely linked to broader social and structural determinants of health, such as limited access to care, geographic barriers, historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism, and inequities in access to preventive services.

CDA supports Indigenous led approaches to improving oral health outcomes and advocates for policies that enhance access to timely, preventative, and comprehensive oral health care for Indigenous communities. This includes continued improvements to the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program, increased access to appropriate surgical suites for dental procedures, and sustained action to ensure Indigenous communities have access to clean drinking water.

CDA emphasizes the importance of meaningful collaboration with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners, governments, and health care organizations to support culturally safe care, and community-driven programs.

Healthy eating plays a critical role in oral health and overall well-being, particularly for children. Poor nutrition contributes not only to dental caries but is also associated with broader chronic conditions, including obesity and diabetes. Diets high in free sugars and ultra-processed foods significantly increase the risk of tooth decay and other health concerns, underscoring the need for preventive approaches that address nutrition early in life.

CDA supports measures that promote healthy eating, such as limiting the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children and the establishment of a permanent national school food program. CDA emphasizes the importance of cross-sector collaboration among health care providers, governments, educators, parents, and community organizations to foster healthier food environments for children.

Smoking and the use of tobacco, cannabis, and vaping products remain significant risk factors for oral disease and broader chronic health conditions. Growing evidence indicates that using these products in combination may further increase the risk of oral cancer, periodontal disease, delayed healing, and other adverse health outcomes.  

CDA recognizes the evolving landscape of nicotine and cannabis use in Canada and supports evidence informed public health policies that prevent initiation, particularly among youth, and promote smoking cessation as a key component of disease prevention and overall health.