The announcement of the 2024 Budget has resulted in positive news for dental hygienists in Canada. An expansion of the Federal Government’s Student Loan Forgiveness Program will incentivize dental hygienists to serve underserved rural and remote communities. The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association have widely praised the announcement, which will aid access to oral healthcare for many.
The 2024 Budget has been released by the Canadian Federal Government, which has provided good news for dental hygienists. As a result, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) have praised the announcement [1].
The Budget will aid dental hygienists and allow them to continue to broaden their work – which includes expanding access to dentistry for those in rural communities [1].
This is a very positive step, as it provides support for both dental hygienists and patients. Moreover, this will help more people to receive much-needed oral healthcare.
2024 Budget
The Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, the Honorable Chrystia Freeland, has revealed the federal government’s 2024 budget [1].
One of the headlines of the budget is that the expansion of Canada’s Student Loan Forgiveness Program will now include support for dental hygienists in rural and remote communities [1].
This means that qualified dental hygienists that work in underserved areas – like rural and remote communities – will be eligible for financial relief in the form of Canada’s Student Loan Forgiveness Program [2].
It should be noted that the extent of the Loan Forgiveness will depend based on numerous factors. Every individual will have their own circumstances [2].
The announcement should hopefully result in more dental hygienists working in areas that need oral health professionals. Dental practices that have typically struggled to recruit oral health professionals may find it easier to hire employees now.
Moreover, it provides an incentive for those already working in such areas [1]. They are already providing a critical service, but will now receive better benefits for their work.
Rural or remote communities are considered areas with a population of less than 50,000. Moreover, they cannot be metropolitan areas, nor can they be provincial capitals [2]. Therefore, a lot of areas in Canada are classed as rural or remote.
Research shows that those who live in underserved areas typically have worse oral health than those who live in urban areas [3]. This is often due to a lack of access to treatment and a lack of oral health professionals.
Therefore, such announcements are very helpful. The 2024 Budget will allow many people that wouldn’t normally have access to oral health services receive help.
Response of the CDHA
As mentioned, the CDHA were delighted with the news. The CDHA represent over 30,000 dental hygienists across Canada [1].
Francine Trudeau – President of the CDHA – went on record to express her pleasure with this update [1].
Trudeau has said that the Student Loan Forgiveness program’s expansion “will support dental hygienists in delivering critical oral health care to historically underserved rural and remote communities across Canada” [1].
Moreover, Trudeau has said that dental hygienists are “experts in oral health education and prevention”, and are “keenly aware of the necessity of ensuring Canadians have timely, unencumbered access to preventive oral health care, no matter where they live” [1].
Furthermore, the CDHA have said that they remain committed towards working with the federal government to continue to improve oral healthcare across Canada [1].
The role of dental hygienists
Dental hygienists play a key role in oral health. They work closely with dentists to provide oral healthcare to patients of all ages.
They often provide more targeted treatments, such as scaling, root planing and dental sealants. Moreover, they also commonly carry out oral health screenings.
Therefore, offering those that provide these critical services added extras, like being eligible for the Student Loan Forgiveness program, can help hugely. This will aid both the hygienists, as well as patients in rural and remote areas.
Thinking points…
1) It is very important that you visit a dental clinic regularly for a check-up. This is regardless of if you live in an urban area, or a remote or rural community. Make sure you attend check-ups, as these allow a dentist to take a look at your oral health and suggest treatment if necessary. We recommend booking an appointment now!
2) Have you ever thought about becoming a dental hygienist? Being a dental hygienist can offer a rewarding career. You can provide care to a range of patients, and contribute towards improving the oral health of Canadians. While qualifying to become a dental hygienist takes time, it can be a great career to have! Why not look into it now?
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set 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] The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association. (2024). Budget 2024: Improving Access to Oral Health Care in Rural and Remote Communities. Available: https://files.cdha.ca/NewsEvents/tag/2024/Federal_budget_2024_loan_forgiveness_announcement.pdf. Last accessed: 26th April 2024.
[2] Government of Canada. (2024). Canada Student Loan forgiveness for family doctors and nurses – Eligibility. Available: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid/grants-loans/repay/assistance/doctors-nurses/eligibility.html. Last accessed: 26th April 2024.
[3] Gaber, A., Galarneau, C., Feine, J. S., & Emami, E. (2017). Rural-urban disparity in oral health-related quality of life. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. 46 (2): p132-142. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12344.
