Canadian Dental Program Sees Provider Surge

Health Minister Mark Holland announced a significant increase in the number of dental care providers participating in Canada's new federal dental-care program. Currently, 75 percent of dentists and dental specialists are part of the program, up from less than 50 percent last month. The increase follows recent changes that allow providers to submit claims on a case-by-case basis without pre-registering. The program aims to cover uninsured individuals with household incomes under $90,000 by 2025, with 2.3 million Canadians already enrolled and expecting to serve 9 million more. Holland acknowledges some regional disparities in provider participation, particularly in rural areas and provinces like Alberta and New Brunswick. The program is estimated to cost taxpayers $13 billion over the next five years, targeting low- and middle-income individuals without access to private insurance.