Health committee  We don't have a formal position on that, but it raises a very interesting idea. Dalhousie would be the closest dental school. There are 10 dental schools across the country: three in Quebec—two French-language—and one in almost every province, and then one in the Atlantic region.

Health committee  I think the system we have right now, which is the National Dental Examining Board system, is very equitable. It's very skills-based. It evaluates people on their actual ability to do dentistry. We have one of the highest standards of dental care in the world, and our dental sch

Health committee  No, and it's for all the reasons we've just talked about. Cost is a barrier. Sometimes language is a barrier, and sometimes the education and awareness of the parents is a barrier. With this new program that's coming out right now, that would be one of the things we would like to

Health committee  In terms of the funding for and access to dental care, we look to see much more dialogue going on between the provinces and the federal government. In terms of how the money is going to be used, I think Mr. Boissonnault said that it's going to be on the honour system. We hope tha

Health committee  I'd say it's important to continue the dialogue so that we reach the ultimate goal of making sure that kids get to the dentist.

Health committee  Thank you for that question. Cost alone is not the only barrier for Canadians to access dental care, including children. We do appreciate this new program that's coming out. We feel that is a good start and look forward to continuing to work with the minister as we see things ro

Health committee  Thank you for—

Health committee  We're on the same page. I think we would like to see the healthy eating strategy complete the recommendations there. In terms of dentistry and getting children to the dentist early, the Canadian Dental Association does advocate and recommend that children be brought to the denti

Health committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning, committee members. Before I begin my remarks, I would like to take a moment to recognize that I am joining you here today on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. I'd also like to thank you for taking the time to study t

Finance committee  That's a great question, and it's something we have been talking to some of your colleagues about, because across the country right now there is a shortage of dental assistants. Even before COVID, there was a shortage, and since COVID, that shortage has been exacerbated, because

Finance committee  Thank you.

Finance committee  We already have a good system in Canada. Two-thirds of Canadians are covered by some sort of plan, whether it's through an employer-sponsored plan or through some government plan, and 75% of Canadians report that they feel they have good access to care. Again, it goes back to o

Finance committee  Certainly it is our perspective that in co-operation and collaboration with the provinces, the federal money that has been set aside for dental care was distributed to the provinces to sustain and stabilize the existing programs. Across the country, all of the programs are in nee

Finance committee  Certainly. There are many, as you've alluded to. Treatment of children for early childhood cavities—or caries, as we call them—can take up a lot of time in operating rooms in hospitals. That's one thing. Very small children, if you have an age.... I see one on our call here,

Finance committee  May I add a comment?