Canada’s expanded dental plan brings long-overdue care to millions, but dentists fear a staff shortage could hamper delivery as demand spikes.
Expanded Dental Coverage Brings Long-Awaited Relief
As of June 2025, millions of Canadians aged 18 to 64 are eligible for coverage under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), marking a major expansion in public dental care access. With over 4.5 million additional Canadians qualifying, oral health professionals are seeing a wave of patients who have long delayed treatment due to cost barriers.
Rural Dentists See Positive Impact — and a Rising Strain
In northern Ontario, Dr. Thomas Detert, a dental surgeon in Blind River, has already noticed a surge in patient volume. Many individuals coming in have not seen a dentist in over a decade, often since losing employer-provided benefits upon retirement. While some arrive with relatively healthy teeth, others require extensive treatment due to years of neglect. “The program is definitely helping people who need it,” Detert said, “but the sudden demand may exceed our ability to keep up.”
Millions Already Enrolled; Millions More Eligible
According to Health Canada, approximately 3.6 million Canadians have been approved for the CDCP since its phased rollout began. By April, nearly 1.9 million had already received dental care through the program. The inclusion of working-age adults is expected to significantly increase those figures, adding pressure to clinics already adapting to higher patient volumes.
Shortages Loom in Dental Support Staff
Dentists across Ontario are raising red flags over the workforce capacity needed to deliver on the plan’s promise. Dr. Jerry Smith, a Thunder Bay dentist and past president of the Ontario Dental Association, emphasized that the sector is facing a critical shortfall. “Ontario alone is short about 3,400 dental assistants and 5,500 hygienists,” Smith noted, warning that a lack of support staff may lead to long wait times and reduced access to care.
Implementation Pace Draws Criticism
While dental professionals widely support the CDCP’s intent, many argue the government’s implementation could have been more strategic. Smith believes a slower rollout would have given provinces and providers time to recruit and train staff. “The gap in dental workers is not something that can be fixed overnight,” he said, “and rushing the process may undermine the quality of care.”
Balancing Access with Sustainability
As Canada takes a major step toward universal dental care, the CDCP stands as a milestone in public health policy. However, experts caution that without parallel investments in staffing, education, and prevention, the system could become overstretched. “We’ve seen it with our health care system,” Detert warned. “If supply doesn’t keep up with demand, even the best-intentioned programs can falter.”
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