Recent data from Statistics Canada suggests that more than one million Albertans are not sitting in the dental chair for regular checkups.

Only 70.9 per cent of Albertans reported visiting a dental professional in the past 12 months, according to the government agency.

That number is slightly below the national average of 72.2 percent.

“Dental care in Alberta is pretty expensive. We’re the most expensive in the country,” said Calgary dental hygienist Shannon Hawryluk.

“A lot of people, even if they’re insured, may be underinsured … they may have multiple children, or the children may already have a very large treatment plan with many cavities … that’s the biggest barrier, for sure.”

Non-profit service “as busy as ever”

Hawryluk manages Alex Community Health Center’s dental bus program.

The bus travels to elementary schools in Calgary, providing free basic dental treatment to children who would otherwise not have access to care.

Hawryluk said her team is seeing more demand than ever before.

“I get more schools contacting us, requesting our care. And then, at schools, we’re getting more consent forms returned than ever before this year.”

“I was expecting with this new dental care plan to go down this year, but it just hasn’t happened yet.”

Some Albertans can enjoy more affordable trips to the dentist thanks to the new Canadian Dental Care Plan, which has started rolling out. in phases.

The elderly, disabled and children are eligible for full or partial coverage of most dental procedures as long as they do not have dental insurance and have a household income of less than $90,000.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province will opt out of the federal dental care plan by 2026, but in the meantime, the province has confirmed Albertans can still access care through the program.

Many factors affect access, says dental association

“We’re hoping (the national plan) will give people an opportunity to see a dentist when they thought cost was a factor,” said Dr. Jenny Doerksen, president of the Alberta Dental Association.

Doerksen said dentists in the province have to sterilize more equipment and pay high overhead costs compared to other provinces, which can increase the price of appointments and procedures.

“Alberta has the highest level of infection control and the highest standards of care. So that kind of increases the cost of the delivery system,” she said.

Fear of dental procedures, lack of knowledge about oral health and understaffing keep people away from the dental office, according to Doerksen.

Language barriers can also affect access, Hawryluk said.

“We get a lot of newcomers here in Alberta, don’t we?” she said. “Navigating the resources is challenging for newcomers or people who may not speak English as a first language.”

The Statistics Canada publication also indicates that 26% of Canadians either experience oral pain or avoid certain foods because of oral problems.