Access to oral health care improving across Canada
The Faculty of Dentistry hosted federal government representatives last week. The news they came to share: Nearly six million Canadians have made strides to improve their oral health under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) since its phased-in introduction staring in 2023.
“This program is making a real difference in people’s lives,” says Jean Yip, Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Agincourt, who notes that 2.3 people in Ontario are covered under the CDCP, with 1.4 million already receiving care.
“Dental care is important not only for oral health, but for overall health. People suffering from chronic dental pain that couldn’t afford to seek care are now getting treated. And more Canadians are receiving preventive dental care that will help them stay healthier, longer.”
She also shared details of the Oral Health Access Fund (OHAF), which supports the CDCP by offering $35 million in funding for oral health projects that help fill access gaps.
Both announcements have connections to the Faculty.
About 15,000 patients visit U of T Dentistry’s 14 clinics annually, receiving care that ranges from general dentistry to braces to gum disease treatment.
The Faculty accepts the CDCP — people who are eligible do not have dental insurance and live in households making less than $90,000 — and uptake among patients has been brisk. Of the patients who attended the clinics in 2025 who had dental coverage, over 40 per cent relied on the CDCP.
“Access to quality dental care is not a privilege, it’s a fundamental part of community health,” says Dean Anil Kishen. “Programs like the CDCP align closely with our mission to support those most in need and to improve access to oral health services across the country.”
As well, three projects at U of T Dentistry have received nearly $3 million in funding under the OHAF.
Kishen says these projects “will further strengthen our ability to serve our community.”
Under the OHAF, the Faculty received up to $1.67 million to establish a new dental public health-focused emergency clinic that offers no-cost care. It will provide both hands-on training for dentistry students plus improve access to oral health care for vulnerable patients who need urgent treatment.
A patient attraction and retention project was given up to $733,000. This initiative sees the Faculty able to assist some CDCP recipient with uncovered costs, and also allows the Faculty of Dentistry to invest in outreach initiatives to encourage community members to seek dental care at U of T Dentistry clinics.
A third project is leveraging up to $527,000 to develop a micro-credential course in clinical teaching, designed to upskill oral health professionals to supervise students in developing skills in rural and remote community dental clinics.
MP Yip says the CDCP is “one of the biggest improvements we’ve seen to the Canadian health care system in decades.”
“I am inspired by the commitment I’ve seen across the country, as we work together to deliver affordable dental care for eligible Canadians.”
The Faculty and the federal government have been working together to ensure that the new dental benefits support as many people as possible, including vulnerable populations, as well as ensuring dental students are prepared for the future.
Says Dean Kishen, “Looking into the future, we at the Faculty of Dentistry believe that education, clinical care, and research must work hand in hand.
“With our strong research infrastructure, we are committed not only to treating disease but also to advancing preventive dental care — creating knowledge-based, practical solutions that reduce oral disease burden and contribute to sustainable, world-class dental care for Canadians.”
Top photo: MP Jean Yip and dean Anil Kishen
Story by Diane Peters