Well being Canada has offered greater than $4 million to eight of Canada’s 10 dental schools to assist maintain pupil scientific coaching, amid experiences of fewer sufferers because the launch of the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
“Well being Canada launched a focused name for proposals to schools of dentistry to assist them tackle a direct must help pupil scientific coaching,” the division mentioned Thursday in a press release to Oral Well being Group.
“Up to now, eight schools have signed contribution agreements below the Oral Well being Entry Fund for a complete of over $4 million,” it added. “As we’re nonetheless engaged on a number of the agreements, we aren’t capable of present additional particulars at the moment.”
What’s the Oral Well being Entry Fund?
The Oral Well being Entry Fund (OHAF) is a federal grants and contributions program led by Well being Canada. It’s designed to enhance the CDCP by increasing entry to oral-health providers, particularly for underserved populations. The fund helps tasks that prepare oral-health suppliers, join Canadians to care, and ship prevention and schooling initiatives to enhance oral-health outcomes.
Price range 2023 dedicated $250 million over three years, beginning in 2025-26, and $75 million yearly thereafter to ascertain and maintain the fund.
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College of Manitoba proclaims funding
In early October, the College of Manitoba’s Dr. Gerald Niznick Faculty of Dentistry introduced it had acquired $336,000 from Well being Canada. The funding permits the school to supply free dental care to sufferers who’re both enrolled within the CDCP or uninsured.
Sufferers coated at 40 per cent or 60 per cent by the CDCP at non-public practices will obtain full protection — 100 per cent — on the college’s instructing clinic. These with out insurance coverage are additionally eligible without cost therapy.
This system will function till March 31, 2026, or till the funds are exhausted.
To date, greater than 5.5 million Canadians are enrolled below the CDCP, and over 3 million have already acquired care, saving an estimated $800 yearly per affected person, in line with Well being Canada.