accessible in Quebec… provided you have a dentist

Officially launched on May 1, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) was created by the federal government to allow low- and middle-income Canadians not covered by private insurance to benefit from dental insurance. It covers preventive and diagnostic care (teeth cleaning, x-rays, etc.), basic care (caries, root canal treatment, abscess treatment, etc.) and major care (tooth extraction, for example). .

Dentists invest in RCSD

At the time, it was estimated that only 15% of dentists had registered in Quebec. Six months later, according to Canadian government data, 4,075 dentists in the province have joined the program, or nearly 75% of the members registered on the roll of the Order of Dentists of Quebec, indicates Dr. Carl Tremblay, president of the Association of Dental Surgeons of Quebec.

Quebecers answer the call

And the Quebecers? They too are there: RCSD data indicates that 938,297 eligible patients have registered and that 324,672 of them have already received care.

As a reminder, you must meet the following criteria to be eligible for this plan:

• Not having access to dental insurance;
• Have an adjusted net family income of less than $90,000;
• Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes;
• Have completed a tax return for the previous year.

If you have access to dental coverage through a government social program offered by a province, territory or federally, you may also be eligible for RCSD. The reimbursement to which you are entitled varies from 40 to 100% and depends on the fees established by the RCSD and your adjusted net family income.

That said, the number of people who can benefit from the program is likely to increase considerably in 2025. Currently, registration is only open to eligible people aged 65 and over or under 18 as well as adults with a valid federal certificate for the 2023 disability tax credit.

Adults aged 18 to 65 will have to wait until 2025 to register. “We expect that there will be more than 2.5 million Quebecers covered by this plan when registration is open to all age groups,” estimates Dr. Tremblay.

Also read: Will you be able to benefit from the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

A good program and soon more treatments covered

Although the RCSD is not perfect, among other things because of the significant administrative burden it represents, it is an excellent program, recognizes the dentist: “There is no maximum annual reimbursement amount , and it covers a wide range of treatments,” he explains.

In addition, new treatments have been covered since November 1. This is particularly the case for the initial placement of partial dentures or crowns, or for certain special needs, such as the need for three annual cleanings rather than two for certain patients.

Attention! To benefit from coverage of these new treatments, each patient will have their case studied and must obtain prior authorization from the RCSD following the dentist’s evaluation, so that the program can establish whether the treatment recommended by the health professional oral health meets clinical criteria. These requirements are more severe than those of most private insurance companies, which usually rely on the clinical judgment of the professional without requiring an additional evaluation from the insurer, specifies Dr. Tremblay.

Annual renewal

Also note that starting next year, registered patients will have to renew their RCSD registration each year in order to demonstrate their eligibility for the program, recalls the dentist. “This needs to be monitored, because we don’t want people to go to their dentist, get their treatment, and realize when they leave [la clinique] that they are no longer covered and that they have to pay out of their own pocket,” he said.

Further information on the subject will likely be communicated by the Government of Canada as the program expands.

Lack of dentists in certain regions

If the RCSD is deployed throughout the province, accessibility to dental care varies from one region to another, notes Dr. Tremblay. Indeed, some remote regions, such as Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Gaspésie and the North Shore, lack dentists, which means that clinics often do not accept new patients. “Even if you are enrolled in the program, it can be difficult to find a clinic in these areas,” he says.

The Association of Dental Surgeons of Quebec is campaigning to improve accessibility to dental care in the province by asking, among other things, the provincial government to adopt

measures to encourage the establishment of dentists in all regions and to increase the capacity to accommodate dental students in universities.

Future dentists looking for patients

The Association also noticed that since the establishment of the RCSD, the patient banks of the dental medicine programs in universities and dental hygiene in CEGEPs have seen their number of clients decrease. “Training establishments are currently having major problems recruiting patients. This is worrying for [la formation de] the next generation,” confides the dentist.

Dr. Tremblay explains that some patients who did not have insurance chose to be treated by students because it was cheaper than consulting a professional in a private clinic.

An uncertain future for the RCSD in Quebec

On the other hand, the Association is concerned about the future of the RCSD in Quebec due to conflicts between the provincial and federal governments. Indeed, the Legault government has stated that it wants Quebec to withdraw from the federal program and obtain financial compensation, since it considers that the RCSD constitutes an interference in its field of jurisdiction.

“What worries us is that the Quebec government never said that it would use the compensation money to set up a dental care coverage program in the province,” shares Dr. Tremblay. He adds that if Quebec withdraws from the RCSD, registered Quebecers will lose their coverage if the government does not commit to setting up a similar program. “We find it risky,” says the dentist.

The Canadian government also demanded that such a regime be created in Quebec if the province were to leave the RCSD. Negotiations are still ongoing between the two levels of government.

Until their conclusion, Dr. Tremblay reiterates the importance of promoting accessibility to dental care as much as possible. “It is increasingly recognized by health professionals that to have good overall health, you must have good dental health,” concludes the dentist.

Also read: Dental care before a medical procedure: Quebec adds assistance et Financial assistance for dental care for children

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​Considering the potential provincial withdrawal from the RCSD, what alternative ⁤models of dental coverage could be explored to ensure affordable ⁣and accessible dental care for all Quebecers?

Here are some open-ended questions ⁣focusing on the key topics covered in⁣ your article,⁣ designed to encourage⁢ discussion and diverse viewpoints.

**I. Accessibility and Coverage ⁢of the‍ RCSD:**

* **Accessibility Challenges:**

‌ *​ Dr. Tremblay highlights⁤ the lack of ⁣dentists in⁤ certain regions. How significant is‍ this accessibility⁣ issue⁢ for Quebecers, ‍and what systemic solutions could be implemented to bridge this gap?

* **RCSD Expansion and Impact:**

* The article mentions new treatments covered⁢ under the RCSD. To what extent do you think these additions address the dental needs of Quebecers, and are there any other essential treatments that should be considered for‍ inclusion?

* **Renewal Process and Patient Awareness:**

* What⁢ are your thoughts on the annual renewal process for RCSD registration? ​How can we ensure patients are aware⁢ of this ‍requirement and avoid ‍any interruptions in coverage?

**II. Future of the RCSD in Quebec:**

* **Provincial and ‌Federal Tensions:**

‍ * ⁣The article raises ‍concerns about Quebec’s ⁣potential withdrawal from the RCSD. How‍ do you feel about⁣ the provincial government’s stance on assuming control over dental care coverage,​ and what potential implications could this have for Quebecers’ access to affordable dental services?

* **Negotiations⁢ and Compromise:**

* What are some potential⁢ compromises that could be ​reached between the provincial and‌ federal governments‍ to preserve ⁢the​ benefits of the RCSD ⁣while respecting provincial autonomy?

* **Impact on Dental Education:**

​ * The article mentions the decline in patient ‌numbers for dental schools due ‍to the ‌RCSD.​ What ‍strategies ⁤could be employed ⁤to ensure the future generation of dentists ‍receives adequate clinical experience, and how‍ can we ⁤balance ⁢this with the need for accessible dental care?

**III. Broader Perspectives on Oral Health:**

* **Oral Health as an Integral Part of Overall Health:**

* Dr. Tremblay emphasizes the link between oral health and overall well-being. How can we better ‌promote awareness ⁣of‌ this connection and encourage proactive oral health habits within the community?

* **Prevention and Early Intervention:**

* What role does prevention ⁤play ⁢in addressing ⁤the dental needs of Quebecers, and how can we expand access to preventative care, particularly for vulnerable populations?

**IV. Personal Reflections:**

* **Personal Experiences:**

* Have you or anyone you know personally benefited from the RCSD?

** Interview Structure:**

1. **Introduction:**

* Begin by briefly summarizing the RCSD ‌program​ and its intended goals.

2. **Accessibility and Coverage**

3. **Future of ‍the RCSD in Quebec**

4. **Broader Perspectives on Oral Health**

5. **Personal Reflections:**