Salmon Arm residents expecting free coverage under the federal government’s new dental plan may wish to readjust their expectations.
The new Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP), a $13-billion program resulting from an agreement the federal Liberals struck with the NDP two years ago to prevent an early election, began rolling out to people aged 70 and up on May 1. When fully implemented in 2025, the program is expected to provide dental coverage to as many as 9 million low- and medium-income families.
According to the B.C. Dental Association (BCDA), as of Wednesday, May 1 around 15 per cent of the province’s dentists had registered to take part in the program. The CDCP website identified only two in Salmon Arm. One of them is Dr. Elizabeth Kovalcik, who experienced “no problems at all” Wednesday with qualifying patients or the federal portal used to determine what and for how much a patient is covered through the CDCP.
“Yesterday was our first day – it went fantastic,” said Kovalcik. “The portal did not crash. My understanding is a million claims went through and it didn’t crash.”
One hurdle Kovalcik and staff did face was explaining to patients that their CDCP coverage would not cover 100 per cent of their dental bill. She explained staff would provide an estimate of what the visit would cost, and was then quickly able to determine how much of that would be covered under the federal program. However, CDCP doesn’t cover fees under the fee guide prescribed by the BCDA.
“People need to understand, I bill the provincial fee guide,” said Kovalcik. “They don’t pay the provincial fee guide, so every appointment you’re going to you have to pay the difference. We really clearly explained that to people. It went very well.”
Kovalcik called the CDCP’s fee guide “complex,” and noted there are certain limitations and things “that are off the table.”
“People have to be aware that even if they’re 100 per cent covered under that system, they are not 100 per cent covered if the dentist is billing under the provincial fee guide,” said Kovalcik. “Now keep in mind, I’m not required, I’m private industry, I don’t have to stick to the provincial fee guide. I have a right to bill as I choose. I go by the provincial fee guide. Most do. Or very close.”
The Observer called the offices of several Salmon Arm dentists not yet registered with the CDCP. Staff at each explained they are not opposed to the program, but wish to have more information before signing on.
“The biggest thing is we just don’t have the information, and as soon as it’s made available, our provincial associations will get that information out to us as soon as possible so that providers can then make an informed decision about where we’re going with this,” commented one office manager who asked not to be named.
Other concerns shared locally revolved around the limitations of CDCP coverage and compensation, as well as the relatively short process leading to the program’s initial roll out. Kovalcik agreed a better job could have been done by the federal government.
“I like the Canadian Dental Association and our provincial associations and I think they could have done a better job working with us but they didn’t and we’ve got what we’ve got,” said Kovalcik. “There would have been better ways to deliver it and better ways to explain it to people. They initially came out with things like it’s free… It’s not like medical, it just isn’t.”
Those from other dental offices who spoke with the Observer said they were waiting on further guidance from the BCDA.
The BCDA said it’s onboard with the plan, but wants to make sure its members have enough information to make an informed decision on participating.
“We’re providing the information we’ve been given by Health Canada… and we’re advising members to decide on their own to see what the Canadian Dental Care Plan has currently, if it makes sense for their practice, for their patients, and make a decision accordingly,” said the BCDA.
Kovalcik said her office is treating the CDCP as it does individual insurance plans which typically have limitations to what and how much is covered.
“I think the important thing for people with the plan is they need to understand if the dentist is charging their fees off the provincial fee guide, it will not cover everything and I think that’s the hardest part to communicate,” said Kovalcik.
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