Ahead of the upcoming federal budget announcement, the New Democratic Party have urged the Liberal Party to invest in expanding dental coverage. This would include helping teenagers, seniors and those living with a disability. Increased investment would have a very positive impact on many people.
The New Democratic Party (NDP) have urged the ruling Liberal Party to invest in expanding dental coverage to teenagers, seniors and those living with a disability [1].
The request comes as part of the confidence and supply agreement between the NDP and Liberal Party.
This agreement provides the NDP with leverage, and it will be interesting to see how the Liberals react, with the next federal budget being released soon.
Dental care in Canada: The current situation
Currently, many Canadians have dental coverage. But not everyone has this – meaning they are often deprived of crucial dental care.
The recent National Dental Benefit is helping children from low-middle income families to have more access to dental services. While it is due to be extended to adults in the future, for now it has a limited number of beneficiaries.
Moreover, many people face barriers to dental care. Cost is a big barrier, and puts off a lot of people. Moreover, studies show that people with disabilities are also less likely to attend the dentist compared to people without [2].
With these facts, it is unsurprising that the NDP have urged the Liberals to extend dental coverage to more people, so that there won’t be disadvantages for those facing barriers to dental care.
The NDP’s Request
Leader of the NDP – Jagmeet Singh – has long-championed improved access to dental care. He is aiming to use the aforementioned confidence and supply agreement as leverage to push for expanding dental coverage.
This request comes at a time when the Liberals are preparing to release the next federal budget – which is currently due to be on March 28th [1].
When asked about this, Singh said “we want to see commitment to the dollars necessary for it to roll out to that national program” [1].
Furthermore, Singh has said that there are “some signals Liberals were open to it”, but that the NDP must “continue to apply pressure to make it happen” [1].
Singh appears to believe that such changes are realistic, suggesting he is “confident” that the Liberals will follow through with his requests [1].
Meanwhile, the Conservatives – who have traditionally opposed changes to the dental care system – have requested different changes to the budget, including lower taxes [1].
The potential impact
If there was increased funding for dental care in Canada, it would provide significant help for many people around the country. As mentioned earlier, many people face barriers to receiving dental care.
By not having regular check-ups, a person runs the risk of missing out on crucial treatment. Inevitably, their oral health will worsen, leaving them in excruciating pain and discomfort.
Therefore, by having increased funding, more people will have access to dental care. This would hopefully result in improved oral health for Canadians, and lessen the burden placed on healthcare establishments.
Overall, there are many positives to this request. But as the NDP are not the ruling party, there is no guarantee that their request will be sanctioned. We will need to wait and see how the federal budget looks when it is released soon.
Thinking points…
1) In the article, we mention the importance of having regular dental check-ups. By neglecting your oral health, it can put you at risk of intense pain and result in further complications in the long-term. Therefore, remember to attend dental check-ups on a regular basis, as this will provide a dental professional with the chance to review your oral health. We recommend booking an appointment now!
2) We discussed above how there are numerous barriers to accessing dental care – with cost a big factor for many. However, here at our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental, our fees are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. Therefore, our prices are fully transparent, competitive and reliable. To find out more about us, you can visit our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca. We hope to see you at our Calgary dental clinic soon!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving oral health.
It is crucial to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to floss regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is important.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.
References
[1] Djuric, M. (2023). NDP want Liberals to expand GST rebate, fund school lunches in upcoming budget. Available: https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/ndp-want-liberals-to-expand-gst-rebate-fund-school-lunches-in-upcoming-budget-1.6312478. Last accessed: 17th March 2023.
[2] Rouleau, T., Harrington, A., Brennan, M., Hammond, F., Hirsch, M., Nussbaum, M., & Bockeneck, W. (2011). Receipt of dental care and barriers encountered by persons with disabilities. Special care in Dentistry. 31 (2): p63-67. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1754-4505.2011.00178.x.
