Dental Care In Canada Essay

Health care expenditure accounted for an estimated 11% (214.9 billion) of Canada’s GDP in 2014 (CIHI, 2014). Canada boasts a universal, cost-effective and fair health care system to its citizens (Picard, 2010). However, despite great claims and large expenses incurred Canada’s health care system has been reported inefficient in it’s delivery to the population (Davis, Schoen, & Stremikis, 2010; Picard, 2010). As inconsistencies exist in health care delivery across the country, choosing priorities for the health of the Canadian people becomes of vital importance. In Ontario, progress toward a better health care system has been stated to be moving forward by putting the needs of the “patient’s first” (Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care [MOHLTC], 2015). This policy brief will give a background of health care issues in Canada related to Ontario. Three evidence-based priorities will be suggested for Ontario’s health policy agenda for the next three to five years. Furthermore, through a critical analysis of these issues a recommendation of the top priority issue for the agenda will be presented.

Canada and the United States have quite a few differences in their healthcare status and healthcare services. Canada has a universal coverage, no financial barriers, more equitable, no coinsurance and unequal drug benefits and the health insurance plan is administered in each province by a public agency which operates on a non-profit basis and is responsible to the provincial government; whereas, the United States have some financial barriers, there is no universal public health insurance and access primarily depends on the type and extent of coverage, responsible for administering and controlling the health care system is diffused, and involves private insurers, employers, and federal, state and local governments. Infant mortality in both countries are similar and there is a small gap between the life expectancy between the two countries.

This paper will discuss the Canadian healthcare system compared to the United States healthcare system. Although they’re close in proximity, these two nations have very different health care systems. Each healthcare system has its own difficulties, and is currently trying to find ways to improve. Canada currently uses the Universal Health Care system; which provides healthcare coverage to all Canadian citizens (Canadian Health Care, 2007). The services are executed on both a territorial and provincial basis, by staying within the guidelines that have been enforced by the federal government (Canadian Health Care, 2007).

Canada 's healthcare system is praised globally for its universal and free healthcare. It started to take shape after World War II in 1945. Health insurance was introduced and was attempted, but was not successful even though there was an increase in the spending of health related services and goods. Fast forward a few years to 1961 where Tommy Douglas, the premier of Saskatchewan, developed the idea for an all-inclusive insurance plan. He later inspired the Medical Care Act in Canada in 1967, when he pointed out health care is a right for all Canadians. From this one thought, Canada has become of the many countries with a universal health care system. Ever since Tommy Douglas sparked the idea for health care coverage, Canada is praised for the way it carries out its system because of several key features. This system is publically funded, is universal and is accessible to everyone across the nation. Because this is a public system, funding comes from the tax payers and some federal funding, so there is no extra cost for the patients. Also, being a universal system it has offered care to all Canadians, immigrants and visitors. Unlike the U.S who does not provide healthcare to its entire population because it is a private system; access depends on how much someone could afford, and how

The provision of dental treatment in Australia is a topic that ignites a wide range of opinions and emotions among the various stakeholders involved. Much of dentistry in Australia is provided in the private setting, some estimates suggesting 83%1. Australians fund up to 60% of dental care via out of pocket payments1,2. Only a relatively small amount of dental care is provided in the public sector to patients who are often disadvantaged in regards to their oral health1. It is estimated that a large amount of the population is unable to access dental care due to finances; however the capacity of the public sector to provide dental care is limited. With limited funding and resources, the public sector is unable to provide dental care for all Australians and a large proportion of people are on long wait lists, some estimates of 650,0002.

The Federal government is responsible for insuring equal distribution and accessibility of health care services to citizens though they are not the only party that shape the policies of Canada’s healthcare but also the influence of doctors, health professionals, political parties, and businesses are also used (Canadian Stakeholders, n.d., para 2). The 1984 Canada Health Act outlines the requirements that provincial governments must meet. However; since there is not a descriptive list mentioning insurance services in the Act, the insured services in provinces vary creating a power shift (The Canada Health Act, 2005). Provinces also control the licensing of hospitals as well as doctors,

Universality and accessibility go hand in hand. They are the principles that assure that each Canadian regardless of financial situation, will have equal opportunity to access the same level of care. The lack of a private market in

Thesis Statement: Dental care costs should be covered under the umbrella of Canada’s publicly funded health care system because oral health is linked to our overall health, the current insurance scheme widens the gap between the rich and poor, and the dire need for universal dental coverage is rather a major social and health care issue that has to be acted upon by the Canadian government for the Canadians.

The Canada Healthcare act [R.S. 1985, c. C-6] passed in 1984. It ensures that all residents of Canada have an equal access to necessary physician services, no extra billing from physicians and hospital. The act is on five main principles, Public administration necessary services are to offer on a non-profit basis. Next, accessibility coverage with no extra charges and comprehensiveness coverage for all medically necessary services at all times. Portability coverage is to extend to all residents in all provinces and territories. The fifth principle is universality coverage for all eligible residents of all provinces and territories (SEDAP, 2007).

Additional coverage may be offered for some specific groups such as children, senior citizens and those on social assistance. Each province/territory within Canada operates independently and offers varying levels of supplementary coverage. Services that are not covered under the universal system such as prescriptions, vision, dental and home care are covered mainly through private insurance policies purchased by individuals or employers. (Squires, 2010)

Now that you have read about both Canada and Japan, ask yourself what makes a country healthy. Then, using what you know about both of these countries, provide examples for each on how they are healthy, what they have done to get there and what challenges lay ahead. Remember to communicate with your peers. What makes a country healthy is the ability to provide a quality health services for it is people and access to health care when it is needed for all. Canada and Japan have similarity and differences when it comes to their health care system.

The study sought to examine the level of access to dental services among residents of Alberta, Manitoba and Newfoundland. The aim of this interprovincial comparison of access to dental services is to provide an understanding of how different provincial dental health programs may account for differences in access levels among their residents. The findings show that in all three selected provinces, children or individuals below 18 years have higher levels of access to dental services than those in the other age groups. In addition, the study reveals lower levels of access among the elderly population. These findings confirm similar findings in other literature (Andkhoie et al., 2014; Bhatti, Rana, & Grootendorst, 2007; Friedman et

Data used for the study was sourced from CCHS, which is a cross-sectional survey. Like all cross-sectional surveys, it is impossible to infer causality in the study. Data from the survey was collected at a single point in time; hence, there is no information on the sequence of events concerning access and use of dental care services in the three provinces of interested – Alberta, Manitoba and Newfoundland. Thus, associations between the study’s independent variables (province of residence and socio-economic characteristics) and the dependent variables (consultation with a dentist, an actual visit to a dentist and visited a dentist in less than 1 year) cannot be inferred to be causal. For instance, the association between age and income on one hand and consultation with a dentist do not necessarily imply that the age and income are factors that cause an individual to consult a dentist. Furthermore, responses provided by the CCHS respondents can rarely be verified independently, as they are self-reported health care seeking and usage behaviour. The methodological limitations of this study entail the measures used to determine accessibility and utilization of dental care services, and the sampled population. In reference to the former, access and use of dental care are labyrinthine phenomena shaped by intricate social, cultural, economic, political, and institutional factors, not all of which have been captured in this study. In addition, the study does not capture reasons for non-consultation or visitation to a dentist or orthodontist. This limitation is largely because of the lack of follow up questions for respondents who had not consulted a dentist or orthodontist; hence, there is no knowledge or information on why they had not consulted a dentist or

There has always been a large cost on any type of health care that is offered in a country. Whether you are paying it in taxes, directly or through insurance. Dental costs have always been high there have always been substitutes for it. But since there has been an increase in health insurance coverage people can pay for the necessary that they need to have done. Some statistics

The cost of dental health care is increased in United States and it limit usage for many Americans (Dalstrom, 2013). More number of people going to Mexican borders for their treatment due to low health care cost, shorter waiting times, international accreditation, sterile equipment's and acceptance of United States dental insurance (Dalstrom, 2013, p. 75). Recent immigrants, European Americans, Hispanic Americans, and winter Texans are more migrated treating people (Dalstrom, 2013, p.