Denturists, dental hygienists, assistants back dental care plan despite dentists’ criticisms [Video]

A group of oral health-care providers have banded together against what they call misinformation about the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) being spread in part by the associations representing dentists.

“I don’t understand how dentists are saying it’s an administrative burden when they haven’t even registered or tried to submit a claim,” said Kelly Mansfield, president of the Canadian Dental Assistants’ Association. “We’re not seeing any issues.”

The national associations for dental assistants, hygienists and denturists say their professions have had positive experiences overall with the program, which started covering seniors on May 1.

The groups plan to offer an online information session this Tuesday for dental professionals. They hope to dispel what they call myths about the CDCP and encourage more dentists to sign on.

Dental associations, which represent dentists, have continued to raise concerns about the national insurance program. Many of their associations’ presidents — dentists themselves — …