Why Alberta's government wants out of the federal dental care plan — and who it could impact

Late last month, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, stating that Alberta would pull out of the federal government's dental care plan by 2026.

Instead, the province would seek a negotiation to secure Alberta's share of federal funding to reshape dental care coverage as it sees fit. 

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) provides coverage for those without dental benefits and a household income of less than $90,000, and has started to open in phases.

Though Alberta is seeking to secure the funds allocated to that program, there is actually no agreement signed with Alberta. The federal program is administered by Sun Life Financial, and dentists who sign up under the CDCP are reimbursed by Sun Life.

The premier's view is that dental care falls under provincial jurisdiction, and that Alberta is better equipped to address its own residents' needs through its own programs with federal funding support.

The federal government, on the other hand, argues the CDCP is intended to complement existing dental programs and to fill existing gaps in coverage.

It suggests that the number of Albertans who have already signed up for the program — more than 100,000, according to Matthew Kronberg, a press secretary for federal Health Minister Mark Holland — illustrates why it is necessary. 

That said, the federal health ministry has indicated it would consider the idea of Alberta expanding its own coverage.

"We are open to discussing Alberta's request to opt out of the program so long as Albertans continue having access to the same level of care as CDCP members across the country," Kronberg wrote in an email.

Andrea Smith, a spokesperson for Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange, said Alberta is proceeding in negotiations with the federal government for its share of federal dental funding.

"Negotiations will include a review of who is covered by the CDCP, who is covered by Alberta's programs and how we can work together to expand coverage for more Albertans," Smith wrote in an email.

It's true that Alberta already has a variety of provincial plans tied to dental care, including: 

In the end, who isn't covered under those plans varies — each plan is quite precise in terms of where income thresholds lie.

Take the Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors program, for instance. To qualify, a senior couple must have an income below $66,820.