A 23-year-old single mother from Prince Albert says she’s been living with wisdom teeth pain for more than three years.
Recently, the pain has become unbearable, but Alexis Wintonyk cannot afford dental care.
“I was able to pull one out but my others are complicated so I’ll need surgery to get the others out. [for] surgery, I’m looking at $3,000,” he said.
She was recently fired from her job as a server. After paying living expenses for herself and her three-year-old daughter, she said she doesn’t have the money for the down payment for the extraction — let alone the surgery.
“It was devastating. I was very upset. I’m very squeamish and oral gel, and over-the-counter stuff, can only do so much – so finding out seemed like a proposition,” she said.
Because she was working, Wintonyk is not eligible for provincial social assistance dental care programs. She is now applying online for the Canadian Dental Care Plan and said she is looking forward to seeing what procedures are covered and whether the plan pays for wisdom teeth removal.
Earlier this year, the plan was significantly expanded to cover people aged 18 to 64, in addition to children and the elderly who were previously eligible for coverage.
According to the federal government, all Canadians with an adjusted household net income of less than $90,000 can apply. Applicants must have filed a 2024 Canadian tax return and not have access to dental insurance. You can access the forms online at canada.ca/dental.
Oral surgery is listed under important services that “could be covered” when recommended by an oral health provider.
The program is estimated to save eligible Canadians an average of $800 per year in dental care services. It pays different rates, based on income, for basic oral health care, such as dental cleanings, fillings and extractions.
“And then it can really be elevated to even big dentistry, like crowns and root canals and dentures,” said Saskatchewan College of Dental Surgeons president-elect Dr. Raju Bhargava.
Dentists in the province have seen an overall increase in patient volume and attribute it to the Canada Dental Care Plan, he said, with some patients who haven’t been to a dentist in years now getting the benefits.
A survey conducted by the college found that nearly 100 percent of dentists in the province have provided care to patients.
However, dentists say the plan has added “administrative burden” to their practices. Dentists told the survey that “Communicating with patients about the CDCP program” alone has added about an hour of extra work to their staff per day.
Dentists must send evidence to get pre-approved for major dentistry.
“It’s a necessary evil,” what dentists do on behalf of patients to meet their oral health needs, Bhargava said.
Every year, poor oral health causes missed days at work and school and is linked to overall health, he said.
“If you’ve neglected your oral health, it can really significantly affect the onset and progression of various systemic conditions like cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular accidents like strokes. One of the main preventive measures for strokes is cleaning your teeth,” Bhargava said.
More people in Saskatchewan are getting dental care compared to a year ago. Dentists in the province say the increase is due in part to the Canada Dental Care Plan.
Student-run clinics are seeing a drop in patients
The University of Saskatchewan’s college of dentistry reports that since the national plan went into effect, the college has seen a 36 percent decrease in patients at its student-run discount clinics, compared to a year ago. In 2024 – 2025, the college clinics recorded 19,581 patient visits.
“This will impact the education of our students and the training of the next generation of oral health providers,” said the dean of the dental college. Dr. Walter Siqueira.
This affects the training of dentists, dentists, dentists and dental assistants.
Siqueira he said the college is working with the federal government and other colleges and universities across Canada to find a solution.
According to Health Canada, 95,903 people in Saskatchewan have been accepted into the program, among nearly six million people nationally.
In November, the federal department announced more than $35 million over three years in funding 30 projects under the Oral Health Access Fund to improve training for dental students.
The Canada Dental Care Plan helps reduce pressure on emergency rooms and the health care system, the ministry said.
The University of Saskatchewan has launched its own initiatives to improve access to dental care and now runs student clinics in La Ronge, Big River, Prince Albert, Red Earth Cree Nation, Shoal Lake Cree Nation, Nipawin, Saskatoon and Regina.
Saskatchewan provides some dental coverage for people enrolled in income supports, employment incentives, Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability, Senior’s Income Plan, government wards and inmates in provincial correctional institutions.
