Advocacy

Advocacy plays an important role in CDHA’s efforts to influence the federal public policy environment to promote and advance the impact of the dental hygiene profession and to support increased access to preventive oral health care for people in Canada.

New Federal Investments

CDHA is very pleased to see the new investments the federal government is making to ensure access to oral health care for millions of uninsured Canadians (Canada Dental Benefit, Canadian Dental Care Plan, Oral Health Access Fund, Better Dental Care Data). While these substantial investments are welcomed and needed, we know that doing so without a significant focus and commitment to prevention will fail to achieve the ultimate goals of contributing to the improved oral health of millions of Canadians. Learn more

National Oral Health Care for Seniors

CDHA welcomes a national discussion of priorities and opportunities to do better for Canadian seniors. When it comes to national standards for oral health in long-term care homes across Canada, and funding programs for seniors still at home, meeting the oral health care needs of this population should not be missed. Learn More

Advocacy Resources

CDHA’s advocacy work addresses a range of topics related to access to preventive oral care, vulnerable populations, oral-systemic health, government programs, and more. Click here to download short backgrounders and key messages in support of CDHA’s key priorities. This section also includes guidance for dental hygienists who wish to engage as grassroots advocates.

CDHA Parliament Hill Day

The tradition of heading to Parliament Hill to raise awareness for the dental hygiene profession is a continuation of CDHA’s ongoing advocacy efforts that yield results in our members’ and the public’s best interest. Read highlights from CDHA’s 2023 Parliament Hill Day and kick-off to National Dental Hygienists Week^TM.

Taxation of Health and Dental Benefits

Media reports indicated that the federal government was contemplating the taxation of private health and dental insurance plans. If this proposal were to become a reality, the health and dental coverage currently available to 24 million Canadians would have been severely limited as fewer employers would have offered these plans and others may have reduced the number of services covered. Learn more

Federal Election

CDHA is calling on political parties to invest in new federal funding for national oral health care to ensure that seniors and low-income Canadians without dental coverage can access the preventive oral health care they need. Learn more