Quebec’s Order of Hygienists President Jean-François Lortie says the province is experiencing a scarcity of at the least 1,400 hygienists, International Information on July 24, 2024.
Lortie additionally highlighted the problem in filling the hole, noting that solely about 300 hygienists are licensed in Quebec every year.
“In case you haven’t seen a dental skilled within the final 5, 10, or 15 years, it’s going to be arduous to discover a place that may be capable of see you,” Lortie warned.
This scarcity will not be distinctive to Quebec as it’s affecting different areas amid an growing old inhabitants nationwide.
A 2023 survey performed by the Canadian Dental Affiliation (CDA) revealed that round 500,000 dental appointments have been canceled attributable to “staffing unavailability” over a two-month interval. This quantities to roughly 3 million cancellations per yr, equating to about 100 to 120 cancellations per dentist yearly.
The CDA famous an elevated reliance on temp businesses to fill positions and a discount within the variety of accessible appointments because of this.
Influence of the Canadian Dental Care Plan
Professionals within the discipline count on the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) to extend the variety of sufferers, significantly these in dire want of dental care, in already understaffed areas reminiscent of Quebec.
Since its launch on Could 1, the CDCP has begun masking seniors aged 70 and older, with the most recent enlargement in late June to incorporate adults with a sound incapacity tax credit score certificates and youngsters beneath 18. The plan goals to progressively lengthen protection to all eligible Canadians by 2025.
For extra from International Information, please click on HERE. For extra from the CDA survey, please click on HERE.
