In a move to attract more dentists, the Ottawa government has implemented changes to the billing process for the national dental care plan. Health Minister Mark Holland announced that dentists and other oral health providers no longer need to enroll with the government to offer care to patients covered under the plan.
Addressing Dentists' Concerns
Holland's announcement comes as part of the government's efforts to address the concerns of dentists who have been hesitant to participate in the program aimed at uninsured low- and middle-income Canadians. The change in billing procedures was revealed during a press conference in Nova Scotia following tensions between the government and dental associations nationwide.
Positive Impact
The government's initiative has seen significant progress, with nearly 250,000 dental claims processed for seniors under the program since its launch in May. Furthermore, the recent expansion of eligibility criteria has resulted in approximately 10,000 applications from individuals with disabilities and 25,000 children.
Overall, the government's decision to remove the requirement for dentists to register with the government is expected to streamline the process and encourage more oral health care providers to participate in the national dental care plan.
This report by The Canadian Press was originally published on July 8, 2024.