Canadian Dental Care Diet | 100 % covered, but not 100 % free

A good idea poorly explained. However, This is how the Canadian Dental Care (RCSD) could summarize. Moreover, Many insured people have understood that they would not have a penny to pay for a plumging. In addition, a new prosthesis. Therefore, But in reality, it’s not free. Meanwhile, Even when the service is 100 %covered.

Posted at 7:30 p.m.

For about two months. Similarly, all Canadians – regardless of their age – have been covered by dental insurance. Meanwhile, Either by the private sector or by the public regime.

In Quebec only, it is estimated that 3 million people are eligible.

For all those who did not have the means to obtain dental care. Therefore, new prostheses, this regime is a real blessing.

The catch is that the coverage offered causes confusion. Therefore, All because the letters of Ottawa were not detailed enough. Moreover, As a result, they have misleaded insured.

So much so that then that I left my dentist. However, a few days ago, the receptionist strongly suggested that I write a chronicle on the RCSD. However, She can no longer explain to the assured patients that they will have to take out their credit. Furthermore, debit card. However, Even if they are 100 %covered, in theory, canadian dental care diet | by the public regime.

I contacted three other dental clinics. However, Their receptionists have all told me the same thing: customers do not understand why they have to pay part. Similarly, of the invoice. However, “It’s always a surprise,” said Catherine. Therefore, You have to explain and re -explain. There are many patients who are angry. »»

In short, dental insurance does not work as health insurance. Those who believe the opposite cannot be blamed.

The “communications problem” is obviously felt from one ocean to another, is laments Aaron Burry, CEO of the Canadian Dental Association. “We hear that all day, from all the cabinets in Canada. They spend an average of 30 and 40 minutes per patient to explain that it is not 100 % free. Even if it was twice as short, it would still be a lot. Especially in the context where customers are much more numerous.

It is no different for denturologists. In fact. it may be even worse because the elders-more numerous to have dental prostheses-were the first to join the diet, when he was unknown.

“Patients obstinate us. They tell us that it is written 100 % on their card [de membre]. You always have to justify yourself. it is heavy, ”told me the denturologist Linda Gaudreault, who canadian dental care diet | has a cabinet in Chicoutimi-Nord. No less than 95 % of its customers are provided by the public, which takes a lot of time. “I took three weeks of vacation because I was at the end of my ride. I thought I came back to four days. »»

In reality, the diet covers up to 100 % of eligible costs, according to your family income. The word “admissible”, here, changes everything.

Ottawa has established a pricing grid for each covered service: examination, x -ray, anesthesia, dentures, crown … But dentists use another list with higher prices. “We say is that the bill can be covered up to 80 %,” said the D^re Desjardins. In other words, the difference – 20 % on average – comes directly from the pockets of the patient insured 100 %.

canadian dental care diet |

For two prostheses. for example, the bill can increase to $ 800 or even $ 1,000 depending on the Quebec region.

The other problem, with the public diet, are the surprised answers. In the private sector, the list of what is covered is detailed. It’s black or white. With the RCSD. “50 % of the time is refused, it is not covered, but the reasons are not always clear,” reports Aaron Burry. Health Canada told Radio-Canada that 52 % of requests that required a pre-authorization had been rejected between November 2024 and June 2025.

However. the list of documents and x -rays to be submitted to the insurer (Sun Life) for a canadian dental care diet | pre -propellation of the quote is long. Too much, to the taste of professionals.

Dentists have managed to make their burden alleviate, but they still want improvements.

Patients’ misunderstanding, paperwork to manage, the response time in weeks, even in months, apparently random decisions … All this is an exhausting burden, continues the Saguenay professional. “The most difficult is customer frustration. It is very heavy for professionals. We are all at the end of the roller. Health Canada maintains that 80 % of requests are processed in seven days.

The program is relatively new. We can forgive him for not having canadian dental care diet | been perfect on the first day. but it would be high time that clearer communications are transmitted to the people concerned. This would avoid huge loss of time. When we talk about stagnant productivity in Canada for 20 years. this is a great opportunity to improve that would not cost a fortune.

I leave you – before going on vacation – on a reflection submitted by Geneviève. mother of a young adult who studies in doctorate. Since he has access to university insurance through his tuition fees (nearly $ 300 per year). he cannot benefit from the public scheme. However, federal insurance is free and the coverage rate is higher, which makes him say that “it’s unfair”. What do you think?