Salmon Arm residents expecting free coverage under the federal government鈥檚 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鈥檚 dentists had registered to take part in the program. The only two in Salmon Arm. One of them is Dr. Elizabeth Kovalcik, who experienced 鈥渘o problems at all鈥� Wednesday with qualifying patients or the federal portal used to determine what and for how much a patient is covered through the CDCP.
鈥淵esterday was our first day 鈥� it went fantastic,鈥� said Kovalcik. 鈥淭he portal did not crash. My understanding is a million claims went through and it didn鈥檛 crash.鈥�
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鈥檛 cover fees under the fee guide prescribed by the BCDA.
鈥淧eople need to understand, I bill the provincial fee guide,鈥� said Kovalcik. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 pay the provincial fee guide, so every appointment you鈥檙e going to you have to pay the difference. We really clearly explained that to people. It went very well.鈥�
Kovalcik called the CDCP鈥檚 fee guide 鈥渃omplex,鈥� and noted there are certain limitations and things 鈥渢hat are off the table.鈥�
鈥淧eople have to be aware that even if they鈥檙e 100 per cent covered under that system, they are not 100 per cent covered if the dentist is billing under the provincial fee guide,鈥� said Kovalcik. 鈥淣ow keep in mind, I鈥檓 not required, I鈥檓 private industry, I don鈥檛 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.鈥�
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.
鈥淭he biggest thing is we just don鈥檛 have the information, and as soon as it鈥檚 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鈥檙e going with this,鈥� 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鈥檚 initial roll out. Kovalcik agreed a better job could have been done by the federal government.
鈥淚 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鈥檛 and we鈥檝e got what we鈥檝e got,鈥� said Kovalcik. 鈥淭here would have been better ways to deliver it and better ways to explain it to people. They initially came out with things like it鈥檚 free鈥� It鈥檚 not like medical, it just isn鈥檛.鈥�
Those from other dental offices who spoke with the Observer said they were waiting on further guidance from the BCDA.
The BCDA said it鈥檚 onboard with the plan, but wants to make sure its members have enough information to make an informed decision on participating.
鈥淲e鈥檙e providing the information we鈥檝e been given by Health Canada鈥� and we鈥檙e 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,鈥� 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.
鈥淚 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鈥檚 the hardest part to communicate,鈥� said Kovalcik.
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