The last time Martin Samoiloff finished his appointment at the Manitoba Dental College, he was pleasantly surprised to be told that the whole treatment was free. Samoiloff had recently turned 65, and was now covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan, recently offered to seniors without dental insurance and a family income under 90,000 a year.
The newly named University of Manitoba Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, which operates seven teaching clinics at their 790 Bannatyne location, allows students in their final years of schooling to practice their skills under the supervision of a trained faculty member.
The clinic covers most procedures from general dentistry treatments to sleep apnea and radiology and offers fees 30-50% lower than that of a private practice. Samoiloff has been a patient at the College of Dentistry since the late 70s. “I have been happy to support the dental college over all these years because it has actually provided a very consistent service which is nothing short of excellent,” Samoiloff says. But with so many seniors accessing the new dental coverage, less have been coming to the college.
Federal Health minister Mark Holland recently announced that a million people have used the dental program in the last six months. Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis, dean of the College of Dentistry, says that they are currently “gathering information and statistics on potential effects” of the CDCP on the program.
Training at the College of Dentistry is invaluable for the college’s dental students, the majority of which tend to stay in Manitoba.
“Because we train students, and they need to be trained to a competency level, having fewer patients can or may become an issue,” Kelekis-Cholakis says. Kelekis-Cholakis is additionally worried about how procedure pre-approval backlogs following the full implementation of the CDCP may impact the 2025 graduating class.
“We are very appreciative of our patients … Once patients come here and interact with students they get an appreciation of what it means to participate in the education of a future oral health care provider,” Kelekis-Cholakis says. “The public participating in this way is very important to the university and the college.”
Samoiloff says he is committed to continue attending the college’s clinics, even with CDCP coverage, for the opportunity to assist the next generation of oral health care professionals and gain quality care.
The College of Dentistry is currently looking into solutions, including increased funding, sending students to external clinics and other incentives. The College of Dentistry is currently looking into solutions, including increased funding, sending students to external clinics and other incentives.
