Health Canada has committed more than $35 million to fund 30 dental training projects at 22 post-secondary institutions across the country, addressing a growing challenge: the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has shifted patient volumes away from teaching clinics, putting hands-on training for dental students at risk. An additional $4 million in emergency funding went directly to eight of Canada's ten dental faculties.
As of April 2026, nearly 6.5 million Canadians have been approved for the CDCP — making it one of the largest new social programs in Canadian history. But the program's rapid enrollment has created an unintended consequence that few anticipated when the plan launched: dental school teaching clinics are losing patients.
The Problem: CDCP Is Drawing Patients Away from Teaching Clinics
Before the CDCP existed, uninsured and underinsured Canadians often sought dental care at university teaching clinics, where treatment costs were lower because dental students performed procedures under faculty supervision. These patients were essential to clinical education — without them, students cannot accumulate the hands-on experience required for licensure.
With CDCP coverage now available, many of these patients are choosing community dental practices instead. The program covers a wide range of services at private practices, and patients understandably prefer the convenience and speed of a single-provider visit over the multi-appointment process typical at teaching clinics.
The Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD) raised the alarm in late 2025, reporting that multiple dental schools were experiencing measurable declines in patient volume. The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) confirmed it had been working with the ACFD and Health Canada to find solutions.
What the $35 Million Funds
Health Canada's $35 million investment flows through the Oral Health Access Fund (OHAF) and supports 30 projects at 22 post-secondary institutions over three years. The funding addresses several priorities:
- Patient recruitment and retention: Grants to help teaching clinics attract and keep patients despite the availability of CDCP coverage at private practices.
- Community-based training expansion: Programs that place dental students in community health centres, Indigenous communities, long-term care facilities, and rural clinics where access gaps are most severe.
- Competency development: Curriculum modules focused on treating populations with complex needs — older adults, people with disabilities, and patients who have gone years without dental care.
- Infrastructure upgrades: Equipment and facility improvements at teaching clinics to increase patient throughput and reduce wait times.
Pro Tip: Ontario dental practices near university teaching clinics (University of Toronto, Western University) may see referral patterns shift as these institutions expand community-based training programs. Consider partnering with local dental faculties for mentorship or externship placements — it builds your reputation and creates a pipeline for associate hiring.
The Emergency $4 Million to Dental Faculties
Separate from the $35 million OHAF funding, Health Canada provided more than $4 million directly to eight of Canada's ten dental faculties as emergency support. This funding was specifically designed to cover immediate financial shortfalls caused by declining patient revenue at teaching clinics.
Dental faculties generate a significant portion of their operating budgets from patient fees. When patient volumes drop, the financial impact is felt across the entire faculty — from clinical supplies to faculty salaries. The $4 million in emergency funding was intended as a bridge while longer-term solutions take effect.
Impact on Ontario's Dental Education Pipeline
Ontario is home to two of Canada's largest dental faculties: the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry and the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University. Both institutions have reported CDCP-related patient flow changes.
The University of Toronto's Faculty of Dentistry has published guidance for patients about CDCP coverage at its teaching clinics, acknowledging the evolving landscape. For the broader Ontario dental community, the concern is straightforward: if dental students graduate with fewer clinical hours, it could affect the quality and readiness of new dentists entering practice in Toronto, the GTA, and across the province.
The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) sets the licensing standards for dentists practising in the province. While the RCDSO has not publicly commented on the CDCP's impact on clinical training, the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) maintains competency standards that all graduates must meet regardless of where they trained.
Pro Tip: Practice owners in the GTA who are planning to hire new graduates in 2027 or 2028 should ask candidates about their clinical case volume during training. The OHAF funding should stabilize training quality, but the transition period may produce cohorts with uneven clinical exposure.
CDCP Enrollment: The Numbers Behind the Shift
The scale of the CDCP explains why its impact on dental education has been so significant:
- 6.5 million Canadians approved for coverage as of April 2026
- 4.2 million have received care through the program — meaning more than 2 million approved members have not yet visited a dentist
- $800 per year average savings for eligible households
- Sun Life administers the program, including claims processing and fee grid management
The gap between approved members (6.5 million) and those who have received care (4.2 million) represents both a challenge and an opportunity. As more enrollees begin accessing dental care, the pressure on teaching clinics may intensify further — or it could create demand that overflows back to academic settings if community practices cannot absorb the volume.
What This Means for Practising Dentists in Ontario
For dentists in Markham, Vaughan, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, Mississauga, and Brampton, the federal investment in dental education has several practical implications:
- Workforce pipeline: Stronger funding for dental training supports the long-term supply of new dentists entering the Ontario market, helping address the province's dental workforce shortage.
- Community partnerships: The expansion of community-based training means more dental students working in settings outside traditional clinics. Practices that host or mentor students may benefit from early access to strong candidates.
- CDCP capacity: As more Canadians access their CDCP benefits, practices across the GTA will need to manage increased patient volume. More well-trained graduates entering the workforce helps meet that demand.
CDA's Position on the CDCP and Training
The Canadian Dental Association has publicly supported the CDCP's goal of expanding access to dental care while consistently advocating for adjustments to protect the dental education system. The CDA has described its role as "bridging the gap" — ensuring the program delivers on its promise to Canadians without undermining the institutions that train the next generation of providers.
The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) has echoed these concerns at the provincial level, noting in its 2026 advocacy materials that CDCP reimbursement rates below the ODA Suggested Fee Guide create additional financial strain for both private practices and teaching clinics that accept CDCP patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the Canadian Dental Care Plan causing dental schools to lose patients?
The CDCP provides coverage at private dental practices for previously uninsured Canadians. Many of these individuals used to seek lower-cost care at university teaching clinics. With CDCP coverage, they now have the option to visit community dentists, resulting in declining patient volumes at dental schools.
Q: How much funding has Health Canada provided to dental faculties?
Health Canada has committed more than $35 million through the Oral Health Access Fund for 30 training projects at 22 institutions, plus an additional $4 million in emergency funding directly to eight of Canada's ten dental faculties. The total investment exceeds $39 million over three years.
Q: Will this affect the quality of new dentists graduating in Ontario?
The funding is specifically designed to prevent a decline in clinical training quality. By supporting patient recruitment at teaching clinics and expanding community-based training placements, Health Canada aims to ensure dental graduates continue meeting the competency standards set by the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) and the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO).
EBIKO Dental will continue monitoring the CDCP's impact on dental education and workforce development across Canada.