OTTAWA, April 8, 2024 (Canadian Dental Association) – As Canadians mark Oral Health Month, we are reminded that oral health maintenance and prevention is essential to overall health and well-being. This year provides a historic moment, with millions of eligible Canadians to receive enhanced oral care access.

The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) has long been advocating for increased funding to oral health care in Canada. The upcoming May launch of the federal government’s $13-billion Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP) signifies a significant potential step forward. With over 1.5 million Canadians already enrolled, the Canadian public is anticipating enhanced oral health care access from the CDCP. However, misunderstandings around the program persist and challenges loom as the CDCP’s implementation approaches.

“While we commend the federal government’s efforts to invest and address oral health care accessibility, it’s essential to acknowledge the CDCP’s potential shortcomings,” says Dr. Heather Carr, President of the Canadian Dental Association (CDA). “Several of our key policy recommendations, including completely covering treatment costs and streamlining administrative procedures, have not been fully addressed.”

As advocates for Canadians’ oral health, CDA remains committed to working with the federal government so that the CDCP is a success.

“Our hope for the CDCP is that it reduces barriers and helps close the gaps in access to care, while ensuring that all people living in Canada receive the oral health care they need,” adds Dr. Carr.

Against the backdrop of April being Oral Health Month, the public is encouraged to prioritize oral health maintenance and prevention by following these five steps:

• Visit your dentist regularly;
• Eat a well-balanced diet: not only is a balanced diet good for your body, but it does wonders for your teeth and gums;
• Check your mouth regularly for signs of gum disease and oral cancer;
• Make water your drink of choice, limit alcohol, and avoid smoking, smokeless tobacco, and vaping; and
• Brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day.

“Your oral health and overall health have a stronger link than you may think,” says Dr. Carr. “Maintaining a healthy mouth allows you to enjoy life to the fullest, and avoid risk factors, complications and costly and avoidable treatment that come with poor oral health.”

About the Canadian Dental Association
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) is the national voice for dentistry dedicated to the promotion of optimal oral health, an essential component of general health, and to the advancement and leadership of a unified profession. CDA, a non-regulatory authority, is a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization whose corporate members are Canada’s provincial and territorial dental associations (PTDAs). CDA represents over 21,000 practicing dentists from coast to coast to coast.

Media Contact:
Jeff D’Andrea
Media Relations Specialist
Canadian Dental Association
613-523-7963
media@cda-adc.ca