At the same time, the landscape of dental coverage in Canada is changing rapidly with the expansion of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). This other collaborative, ambitious initiative called the Climate Counting Initiative launched on June 1, 2023. To build on last year’s implementation of subsidized dental care for seniors and children, this year’s plan would cover eligible Canadians between the ages of 18 to 64. The plan provides $13 billion over five years. It would expand access to care for about nine million people, bringing much-needed dental care to low-income Americans who often can’t find a dentist. New evidence demonstrates that a growing number of employers are reconsidering their private dental benefits. This unfortunate trend has led to fears of de-insuring workers.
A recent poll conducted by the Canadian Dental Association revealed that 14% of Canadian workers have received communication from their employers regarding possible changes to their dental benefits. Alarmingly, one in four employers even admits it’s considering dropping all private dental benefits. In addition, 11% say they’ve already scaled back their dental coverage now that the subsidized plan exists.
Experts Weigh In on Coverage Changes
That’s why Dr. Maneesh Jain, past president of the Ontario Dental Association, was alarmed. He cautioned that there are long-term consequences of moving our dependence from private insurance to the public plan. As it stands now, dental associations have been warning Ottawa of the dangers of de-insuring for decades, he said. “We want [the plan] to work; we want Canadians to have access to dental care,” Jain emphasized. He stressed the need for specific measures from Health Canada to address the dangers. Without these strategies, the very sustainability of this innovative program may be in jeopardy.
Dr. Hans Herchen, president of the Alberta Dental Association concurs. With good reason, as he notes that companies are increasingly weighing the costs versus benefits of their dental coverage. “Of course, companies are going to look at this and do a cost-benefit analysis and [ask], do they want to have their employees have different coverage but [at] no cost to the company?” he remarked. Herchen’s fears are more than just fiscal. He cautioned that shifting patients from private plans to the subsidized program would likely drag down the quality of dental care.
Dr. Anita Gartner, pres. of B.C.’s dental association expressed her concern. She is concerned that Canadians will have a hard time receiving good quality dental care down the line. She indicated that if more Canadians rely on the CDCP, it may prompt Health Canada to reconsider the budget allocated for dental care. This would be a tremendous blow to people who rely on the private system for full benefits.
The Implications for Employers and Employees
Moreover, the new landscape in dental coverage has put pressure on employers as well, creating a double whammy of impacts. Adam Mitchell, CEO of Mitch Insurance Brokers, noted that if employers eliminate dental benefits, it could negatively impact team morale and hinder competitive positioning in attracting talent. “If your employer gets rid of your dental benefits, what does that do for team morale and competitive positioning and trying to attract someone else?” Mitchell questioned.
Mitchell was both cautious and encouraging, noting that today many companies find themselves in limbo. “There’s a bunch of wait and see and talk about it,” he stated regarding employers’ reactions to the new subsidized plan. This reluctance hides a bigger concern. Employers need to strike a balance in reforming employee benefits without compromising employee satisfaction and retention.
Employers are caught in a double bind when it comes to private dental insurance. If they do cancel it, close to 17 million Canadians may be eligible for the subsidized plan. This policy shift would save corporations money in the short term. It’s provoking big questions about all the care that the state is providing as an employee benefit.
Navigating Uncertainties Ahead
And as Canada implements its new dental care program, stakeholders are still warning about its harmful effects. When introducing the topic today, Dr. Jain emphasized the increasing expenses associated with this subsidized plan. He cautioned that this trend could lead to under-coverage or under-treatment, compromising quality of care in the name of cost containment.
He stated, “What’s going to happen is either the cost of the [plan] is going to continue to escalate [or] then are they going to end up reducing coverage, end up reducing procedure codes.” This potential scenario emphasizes the need for ongoing dialogue among policymakers, dental associations, and employers to ensure that patients receive adequate care without compromising quality.
Moreover, Herchen highlighted that while the subsidized plan offers a level of support, “the [subsidized] plan doesn’t cover nearly as much,” stressing that even where it does apply, “what it does cover [it] doesn’t cover nearly as well.” These comments emphasize an important loophole that could limit most Canadians’ ability to receive free, essential dental care services.
