Dr. Bruce Ward president@cda-adc.ca A Year of Gratitude I’m grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to serve as president of CDA over the last year. It’s been a privilege to represent dentists across the country and to speak on behalf of the profession. Earlier this year in Chicago, I spoke with colleagues from other national dental associations about the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and the advocacy that helped shape this program after it came into existence. Their reaction was striking—they were genuinely impressed that Canada is extending dental care to communities that might otherwise go without. I’m grateful to live in a country that takes oral health seriously enough to pursue a program that can make a difference in people’s lives. This year, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with the federal Minister of Health and the Deputy Minister of Health. The goal of those meetings was to build relationships to ensure that CDA is seen as a trusted source of expertise whenever questions about oral health care arise. I’ve always believed that an open, informal approach encourages meaningful dialogue, and I’ve been encouraged to see how that can lead to greater understanding and more informed decision-making. We saw meaningful progress on several advocacy priorities this year. Dentists are now included in the federal student loan forgiveness program for those who choose to practise in underserved communities, a step toward improving access to care where it’s needed most. The permanent introduction of a national school food program is another encouraging development that will positively impact the oral health of children across Canada. As well, in a period marked by fiscal restraint, it is notable that the new federal Liberal government has maintained dental care as a policy and budget priority, with no reductions to the CDCP. Together, these outcomes reflect the strength of sustained advocacy and the growing recognition of oral health as an essential part of overall health. I’m grateful for the support that I’ve received throughout my tenure from the extraordinary staff at CDA. Their advice and support have been constant and invaluable. I’ve had the privilege of working with an outstanding board of directors. The dedication, thoughtfulness and collegiality of this group have been remarkable. The same can be said of the presidents of the provincial and territorial dental associations (PTDAs). One of the most encouraging developments during my time on the CDA board, and especially this year, has been the strong relationship between CDA and the PTDAs. Every six weeks or so, the presidents gather for an informal “coffee chat” call on Sunday mornings. These conversations keep the lines of communication open and help build trust and understanding among leaders across the country. When I began as CDA president, a solid governance structure and strategic plan were already in place, allowing us to refine how we operate. I’ve especially appreciated the association’s willingness to question long-standing practices and assess whether they still make sense today. Such evolution over the past years has placed CDA in a stronger, more forward-looking position. Serving as CDA president has been one of the great privileges of my professional career. And when I look back, what I’ll remember most isn’t any single meeting, speech or policy discussion. It’s the people—and I’m deeply grateful for them. From the President 7 Issue 2 | 2026 | CDA at Work
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