New survey ranks dentist availability across Canada while CDCP design raises concerns for employers
Ontario offers the best access to dental care in Canada, with 68.44 dentists per 100,000 residents, according to a new study by hellodent.
The report analyzed dentist distribution relative to both population and geography, offering a national snapshot of access that may influence how coverage is approached amid the rollout of the federal Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
The study found that British Columbia and Alberta followed closely with 67.91 and 62.65 dentists per 100,000 residents, respectively.
These top three provinces account for 67 percent of Canadian dentists, outpacing their 57 percent share of the national population.
As reported by Benefits and Pensions Monitor, the CDCP has raised several issues for employers navigating plan adjustments.
Andrew Ostro, CEO and co-founder of PolicyMe, described the program as “well-intentioned” but flawed in execution.
“The objective of the plan is great but I think the rollout and the way it's been designed is very poor and isn't really accomplishing what it's set out to do,” he said.
Ostro pointed to income eligibility as a central flaw.
While the CDCP technically applies to households earning under $90,000, he noted its practical value diminishes above $70,000 due to rising co-pays.
“Between 70 and 80 [thousand], you have a 40 percent co-pay, and above that, you have 60 percent,” he said. “At those levels, it doesn't do a whole lot.”
The plan’s design may also exclude working families earning minimum wage.
“That's $35,000 in pre-tax income per person. If you have a household of two hard-working individuals who are working full-time, even at minimum wage, they'll be disqualified from this benefit,” Ostro said.
Additionally, he raised concerns about disincentivizing full-time employment. “It almost incentivizes you not to work full-time because you get more benefits otherwise.”
Beyond income rules, Ostro said the CDCP creates confusion for existing plans.
Unlike provincial public health plans that complement private coverage, the CDCP overrides it.
“Employers assume employees are covered, cancel the benefit, and now the employee’s left with nothing.”
Coverage under the CDCP also has major limitations. Key procedures, including dentures, are excluded.
Even when a procedure is covered, reimbursement rates remain well below both typical fees and association recommendations.
Patients could face large out-of-pocket expenses—such as paying $150 for a $300 procedure if CDCP covers only half.
Ostro warned this setup could lead to fewer providers accepting CDCP patients.
“From a pure economic standpoint, you'd probably rather cover a patient who's fully covered by a plan versus one who's partially covered and needs to pay out of pocket,” he said.
Dentists are allowed to charge their usual rates and are not required to offer discounted services to CDCP patients.
He recommended halting the rollout and redesigning the program to integrate with private insurance rather than replace it. “I want to make it very clear that I fully support the concept of this type of program, but it needs to be done properly.”
In contrast to federal program challenges, the hellodent study highlights where access already exists.
Quebec, despite being Canada’s second most populous province, ranks fourth at 52.94 dentists per 100,000 residents. Nova Scotia (49.98), Manitoba (49.47), and New Brunswick (47.35) follow.
The Northwest Territories ranked eighth with 40.21, ahead of Saskatchewan (39.46) and Prince Edward Island (32.98).
Prince Edward Island leads the country in dentist density per square kilometre at 1,024.73. Ontario follows at 1,004.74, then Nova Scotia at 964.11 and New Brunswick at 547.27.
Alberta and British Columbia drop to fifth and sixth when ranked by geographic density—despite high population-based access—at 450.25 and 401.17, respectively.
Quebec ranks seventh geographically (307.19), ahead of Manitoba (111.92), Saskatchewan (73.88), and Newfoundland and Labrador (43.43).
A spokesperson from hellodent noted that “residents in underserved areas not only face longer travel times to access dental care, but often experience higher costs and delayed treatment,” adding that mobile clinics, telehealth, and incentives to practise in remote areas could close existing gaps.
