Photo Courtesy Canadian Press

By The Canadian Press with files from rdnewsSNOW

Premier Smith says Alberta plans to opt out of federal dental care plan by 2026

Jun 26, 2024 | 5:33 PM

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province plans to opt out of the federal government’s dental care plan by 2026.

In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Smith says the program infringes on provincial jurisdiction.

She says in the meantime she wants to negotiate getting Alberta’s share of the federal funding in order for the province to support dental care as it sees fit.

The $13-billion program began covering younger children and seniors in May and is being expanded to all those under 18 and people with disabilities.

Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange’s office says the Canadian Dental Care Plan duplicates coverage provided by Alberta’s low-income dental programs.

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The Canadian Dental Association has raised concerns about the voluntary federal program, saying confusion over what is covered and who qualifies has added extra pressure at dental offices and undermines patient care.

Dr. Luanne Metz, Alberta NDP Critic for Health, issued the following statement on the UCP government’s decision to opt out of the Canadian Dental Care Plan:

“Danielle Smith’s decision to deny thousands of Alberta seniors coverage for essential dental care is unconscionable.

“The national dental plan is an opportunity for Albertans most in need, who can’t afford to pay out of pocket, to finally get the care they need.

“While there are Albertans who have government coverage through social programs, this national program fills in the gaps, and the gaps are huge. Any Albertan with a family income under $90,000 and no other dental coverage will get care they can’t get now. That is a lot of people that this government does not care about.

“Danielle Smith and the UCP must stop putting their endless squabbles ahead of Albertans’ health.”

“Dental care is health care. The fact that over 100,000 Albertans who previously didn’t have coverage now have access to dental care should be celebrated!” said Chris Gallaway, executive director of Friends of Medicare. “Instead, we’re seeing our Premier try to rip this away from Albertans, for no other reason than to pick yet another fight with Ottawa. For the Premier to keep playing political games with Albertans’ health care needs like this is cruel and unconscionable.”

“The Premier claims that her concern is over a lack of consultation with provinces in developing the dental plan, but when it came to Pharmacare, she preemptively opted Alberta out before even meeting with the federal government,” added Gallaway. “The Alberta government continues to make it clear that they are more interested in political posturing than working collaboratively to ensure that people in this province are getting their health care needs met.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2024.

The Canadian Press

(With files from rdnewsNOW)