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the NDP's Pledge for Dental Care in Canada - Savanna Dental
8Jun
Dental care in Canada continues to be a topic of debate. In a recent development, the NDP has filed a motion aimed at improving access to dental care for those who are unable to afford dental care. There is a strong need for an improvement in access for dental care across Canada.

Dental care in Canada is a rather controversial subject and is often a talking point during political party addresses.

Now, Canada’s fourth biggest political party – the New Democratic Party (NDP) – is making an effort to improve access to dental care among Canada’s low-income citizens.

Canada’s public healthcare system has neglected dental care for several years, though recent developments suggest that this might soon change.

The statistics in Canada are alarming – with the cost of dental care providing a significant barrier to the wider population accessing the treatment that they badly need.

The NDP’s Vision

The NDP’s leader Jagmeet Singh has consistently voiced his support for an improvement in access to dental care.

In 2019, Singh said “no one should have to deal with the pain or lifelong damage of going without dental care”. He went on to state “millions of Canadians don’t have any dental coverage at all” [1].

Singh remains vocal in his support for further access to dental care. Just last week, the NDP MP Jack Harris put forward a motion in the House of Commons, which asked the Federal Government to create a dental care plan for uninsured Canadian families with a household income of less than $90,000 [2].

The motion was seconded by MP Don Davies. However, with the NDP being Canada’s fourth-largest party, there will be difficulty in implementing this plan, though these steps may be part of a long-term change.

This plan would involve a fund being distributed across the Canadian provinces. The provinces would then need to arrange coverage for families with a low-income, and arrange reimbursements with dentists.

The NDP have suggested that a sliding scale could be used, with either full or partial dental costs being covered – the exact amount of which would depend on household income.

The NDP have pointed out that this amounts to 4.3million Canadians – a colossal amount. Despite the costs involved in this plan, the NDP have justified their proposal by highlighting that emergency room-based dental emergencies cost taxpayers at least $155million annually [3].

Research has long-shown that an income-related inequality exists in Canada in relation to receiving dental care [4].

The Worrying Statistics

There are several alarming statistics that suggest there is a strong need for change. One study found that 16.5% of the Canadian population have declined recommended dental treatment on the basis of cost [5].

Recent statistics suggest that many Canadians are badly in need of help that they can’t afford. A study showed that in a 12-month period, just 75% of Canadians visited a dentist, with 23% of Canadians being put off from visiting the dentist due to the cost involved [6].

Moreover, the Covid-19 pandemic has led to dental care being largely disregarded, which has created “a dental disaster”, according to the President of the FDI World Dental Federation [7].

Poor oral hygiene (including avoiding regular dental check-ups) can cause gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath. Eventually, treatment will be required.

Poor oral health is also linked to physical health problems, and can also cause mental distress – both of which add further strain to Canada’s healthcare system.

The NDP have suggested that the most marginalized people – “indigenous people, children, single parent families, young workers, women and low-income Canadians” – are those that are worst affected by the current format [2].

These statistics appear to back up the arguments put forward by the NDP, and shows the need for lower dental costs in Canada.

Savanna’s commitment to cost

Our dental clinic Savanna Dental is located in Calgary, Alberta. We are based in a convenient area of Calgary, and care deeply about our patients.

Looking on a more localised level, research in 2012 found that over 90% of Calgary residents have decayed, missing or filled teeth – which shows the importance of regular visits to the dentist [8].

With Calgary’s population largely needing oral health improvements, and concerns existing over costs – it is useful for the population to be aware that our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental adheres to the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which allows us to provide affordable care to our patients across our wide range of services.

For those with concerns regarding the cost of dental care, the Alberta Dental Fee Guide provides accurate information on the nature of costs, and what is involved in each treatment type.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Here at Savanna Dental, we offer a range of services. It is important to remember that with good oral hygiene, a nutritious diet and avoiding certain foods and drinks, most dental problems are preventable.

But when problems do arise, it is important for them to be treated as soon as possible. We cannot understate the importance of early detection. If left untreated, what might start out as a small filling may morph into a problem that requires a more complex procedure like a root canal.

Therefore, attending regular dental check-ups (at least twice a year) is very important. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly and avoiding sugary snacks are all important measures to protect our oral health.

When treatment is required, we provide a personalised treatment plan for each patient, and ensure that they receive a high standard of care at all times.

Summary

While it is unknown if the NDP’s motion will secure much support, there does appear to be a growing realisation that the current dental care system in Canada is potentially unsustainable in the long-term.

But for now, it is crucial to maintain strong oral health. We would love you to visit our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental! We are always happy to welcome new patients, and look forward to providing them with a courteous and comfortable experience. Click here to visit our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca, where you can see the range of services we provide.