A new report released by Statistics Canada revealed that more than a third of Canadians have not visited a dentist in the previous 12 months, with almost one in four (24%) avoiding dental care due to cost.
These findings are based on the latest data from 2022 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), which covers individuals aged 12 years and older. The results from the survey, conducted from February to December last year, provide the most recent insights into the use of dental care services in Canada.
A higher proportion of West Asian (38%), Arab (34%), Latin American (34%), South Asian (29%), Black (28%), Chinese (27%) and Filipino (27%) people reported cost was a barrier, compared with the non-racialized, non-Indigenous population (22%). Furthermore, a higher proportion of recent immigrants (33%), non-permanent residents (32%) and established immigrants (26%) reported having avoided dental visits due to cost compared with Canadian-born people (22%), according to the StatCan report.
Although having private or public dental insurance coverage is not the only barrier or driver to seeking care, it can make it easier to access dental care services. Approximately three in four Canadians (76%) with private dental insurance reported having seen a dental professional in the past 12 months, compared with just over half (51%) of those without any private insurance plan or access to a government-paid plan.
Among people with public insurance (i.e., a government-paid plan), 62% reported having had a recent dental visit. Furthermore, 40% of people without dental insurance reported having avoided going to a dental professional due to the cost, which was nearly three times more than those with private dental insurance (14%).
The findings from this survey also show that just under half (49%) of Canadians in the lowest income quintile reported having seen a dental professional in the past 12 months compared with 73% of those in the highest income quintile.
In addition, one in three people (33%) with at least one functional difficulty reported cost was a barrier to seeing a dental professional, which was higher than those without any functional difficulties (23%). The population with at least one functional difficulty is defined as those who reported some difficulty in at least one of the functional health components, including vision, hearing, mobility (walking or climbing steps), cognition (memory and concentration), self-care and communication.
Compared with the Canadian-born population (67%), a lower proportion of non-permanent residents (46%) and recent immigrants (56%) reported having had a recent dental professional visit.
At the time of the survey, 55% of people reported having had dental expenses covered by private dental insurance, which includes a plan through an employer, a private plan or a plan through a college or university. In addition, 4% of Canadians reported having only public dental insurance (i.e., a government-paid plan, without any private insurance). Just above one-third (35%) of Canadians reported not having had any of their expenses covered by a private or public dental insurance plan, and 6% did not know if they had dental insurance, or they had it but did not know which type.
Routine dental visits are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, as dental professionals diagnose and treat a variety of dental issues, provide preventative care and educate their patients on good oral health habits. The Canadian Dental Association recommends regular dental visits to ensure the maintenance of optimal oral health. Some people need a dental exam every six months, though the exact frequency of dental care visit depends on the individual’s specific needs.
