N.B. Dental Society says staff shortages limiting impact of CDCP

The New Brunswick Dental Society says staffing shortages are undermining the full impact of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), with some patients now waiting up to 10 months for routine care.

In an interview with local outlet Country94, executive director Paul Blanchard said about 85 to 90 per cent of dentists in the province are participating in the federal program. But even with high provider uptake, many practices cannot meet demand because they do not have enough dental assistants.

New Brunswick has about 400 practising dentists, and most would ideally require two dental assistants each. The province currently has roughly 635 assistants — well below the estimated 800 needed to keep pace.

The warning comes as Health Minister Marjorie Michel announced that nearly six million Canadians are now enrolled in the CDCP, saving eligible households an average of $800 a year. Michel also confirmed more than $35 million over three years for 30 training projects under the Oral Health Access Fund (OHAF).

Related: Health Canada invests $35M in 30 projects to expand dental training at 22 post-secondary institutions

Local training investments to help, but impact will take time

So far, two New Brunswick institutions received $552,011 funding from the total of the $35 million in OHAF grants.

• Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick — $306,580
Will support hands-on training for dental assistant students through outreach in long-term care homes, elementary schools and First Nations communities.

• Oulton College — $245,431
Will expand no-cost oral-health services and purchase equipment to accommodate 26 additional dental-hygiene students.

However, Blanchard called the new investments positive steps but cautioned that staffing levels will take time to recover enough to ease wait times.

Wait times climb as demand exceeds capacity

Blanchard also said the staffing shortage is widening delays across the province. Hygiene appointments that were typically booked three to four months ahead are now being scheduled nine to 10 months out. Rural communities are experiencing the most strain, though urban clinics are also affected.