By Danielle 
After receiving $336,000 from Health Canada, the University of Manitoba’s dental school announced on Tuesday that it’s offering free care to people who are enrolled in the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) or are uninsured.
The university explained that patients who are eligible for 40 per cent or 60 per cent coverage at a regular Manitoba dentist’s office through the CDCP will have their coverage topped up to 100 per cent at the U of M clinic. Uninsured patients will also be eligible for free treatment.
The program will run until March 31—or until the funds are spent. To make this possible, the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry received a $336,000 grant from Health Canada to cover the costs.
“Funding like this is important because we know through surveys that many individuals are not able to access oral health-care services,” said Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis, dean of the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, in an interview with CTV News.
While the CDCP has been widely welcomed by Canadians, reports have highlighted its growing pains. Last week, Health Minister Marjorie Michel acknowledged that nearly half of the 5.2 million Canadians approved under the plan have yet to see a dentist. “It’s still a new program,” she told reporters.
Related: Minister says CDCP ‘a work in progress’ as half of 5.2M approved patients haven’t seen a dentist
Related: Alberta’s dentists are in ‘limbo’ amid federal vs provincial dental programs ‘confusion’
Related: Dental care tops list of delayed treatments, even for insured Canadians, survey finds
In March, a survey by PolicyMe found that dental care is the most commonly delayed health service, with 35 per cent of respondents saying they’ve skipped or reduced dental visits. Dental care is also the most frequent out-of-pocket expense, with 60 per cent of Canadians saying they’ve paid for it themselves — more than for prescription drugs (55 per cent) or vision care (54 per cent). Some survey participants said they had to pay out of pocket even with insurance.
Kelekis-Cholakis said the funding is a win-win since it helps low-income Manitobans access care and gives students a chance to improve their clinical and interpersonal skills by working with a diverse group of patients.