10.37°C Vancouver

Dec 12, 2023 7:14 PM - The Canadian Press

Don't call it insurance: What dentists want you to know about the federal dental plan

Share On
dont-call-it-insurance-what-dentists-want-you-to-know-about-the-federal-dental-plan
British Columbia Dental Association president Dr. Robert Wolanski says the government plan is more of a social program than a typical insurance program.(Photo : The Canadian Press)

The federal government has announced enrolment details for a new federal dental plan that resembles typical insurance coverage, down to the benefits card patients show at the dentists' office. But dentists say the new government program isn't the same as the insurance people typically get from employers, and patients should be clear about the differences.

British Columbia Dental Association president Dr. Robert Wolanski says the government plan is more of a social program than a typical insurance program.

Wolanski says that program has some distinct differences from an employer insurance program in terms of the eligibility criterial and the administrative burden for oral health-care providers.

The dentist from Nanaimo, B.C., says it's not clear yet exactly how patients' experiences will differ when they arrive at the dentist's office because those details haven't been released by the federal government yet.

Latest news

mark-carney-announces-november-tour-of-europe-and-asia-to-boost-trade-and-investment
CanadaNov 04, 2026

Mark Carney Announces November Tour of Europe and Asia to Boost Trade and Investment

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced an international tour of Europe and Asia from November 11 to 19, aimed at expanding trade and attracting new investment. During the visit, Carney will travel to Ireland, the Philippines, Cambodia and China. He will begin his tour in Dublin, where he will attend the European Political Community Summit. Discussions are expected to advance efforts to make Canada the European Union’s first associate member. Carney will then travel to Manila to attend the ASEAN Summit as a guest, where the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement is expected to be finali
alberta-premier-danielle-smiths-popularity-declines-following-referendum
AlbertaNov 04, 2026

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s Popularity Declines Following Referendum

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s popularity has taken a hit following the province’s recent referendum, although she continues to enjoy strong support among her party’s voters. According to a survey, 59 per cent of Albertans are dissatisfied with Smith’s performance, while 39 per cent approve of her leadership. Experts believe the referendum debate over the past 18 months has diverted attention from issues that could have benefited the government. Her approval rating has reportedly dropped by around six percentage points. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has a slightly higher approval rating,
CanadaNov 04, 2026

China Extends Tariff Relief on Canadian Lobster, Crab and Canola Meal Until 2028

Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, has announced that China will extend tariff relief on Canadian lobster, crab, peas and canola meal for another two years, until 2028. Sidhu said the agreement was originally set to expire at the end of this year but has now been extended for an additional two years. The announcement follows Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing in January. In March, China reduced tariffs on Canadian canola meal, while Canada lowered tariffs on certain Chinese steel and aluminum products, allowing them to enter the Canadian market. Sidhu is c
canadas-trade-diversification-agenda-unchanged-despite-u-s-election-results
CanadaNov 04, 2026

Canada’s Trade Diversification Agenda Unchanged Despite U.S. Election Results

Canada’s Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc has reaffirmed that Ottawa’s trade diversification agenda will not be derailed by the results of the U.S. midterm elections. He said only Americans have the right to explain what issues influenced voters’ decisions, adding that Canada has no say in the matter. Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned against assuming that the Democratic Party’s clean sweep means the trade war is over. He stressed that U.S. President Donald Trump still has full powers to impose tariffs and make trade-related decisions. However, Ford described the Democratic vic
carney-confirms-trade-talks-with-u-s-underway-since-weekend
CanadaNov 04, 2026

Carney Confirms Trade Talks With U.S. Underway Since Weekend

Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that trade talks with the United States have been underway since the weekend, following a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump last week. Speaking to reporters during his visit to Antigua and Barbuda, Carney said negotiations on a potential trade deal began after the call. He added that Washington had scaled back some of its demands, removing several key Canadian red lines from the discussions. These include Canada's laws protecting the French language and its right to independently negotiate free trade agreements with other countries. Me

Related News