By Canadian Press

Dental-care double standard: hygienists ask for equal pay under federal plan

Apr 15, 2024 | 11:20 AM

OTTAWA — The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association is calling out the Liberal government for what it says is a double standard in the payment of services under a new federal plan. 

Last week, Health Canada released the reimbursement guide for the new federal dental-care plan, which is expected to provide oral health coverage for millions of low- and middle-income families. 

The guides show the federal government plans to pay significantly less for a cleaning that happens at a private hygiene clinic, as opposed to in a dentist’s office. 

The association’s manager of professional practice, Donna Wells, says that in some provinces, there is more than a 20 per cent difference.

The association says it raised the issue with Health Canada weeks ago, and was surprised when the discrepancy persisted in the guides released last week. 

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Health Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment, though the minister has previously said the program will evolve with time. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 15, 2023.

The Canadian Press