September 30, 2025 – Ottawa, ON: Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day presents another opportunity for the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) to commemorate the survivors of residential schools. September 30 also coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which honours survivors on their healing journey and reminds us all that “Every Child Matters.”
“Today is not only a reminder of a painful chapter in our country’s history, but it also underscores the importance of reconciliation and the steps we must continue to take together,” says Dr. Bruce Ward, CDA President. “CDA will continue listening and learning from Indigenous communities across the country, and we remain committed to working together.”
As a national health organization, CDA is committed to advancing reconciliation and supporting Indigenous peoples’ health and healing. For nearly four decades, CDA has advocated for improved oral health conditions for Indigenous communities. In recent years, CDA has recommended that the federal government:
- expand access to routine and surgical oral health care for Indigenous communities; and
- recruit additional dental care providers to serve remote regions.
CDA has also worked closely with the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program, which provides health coverage and services for First Nations and Inuit, to strengthen access to dental care. Over the years, advocacy efforts have contributed to meaningful improvements in NIHB dental services. In the past year alone, NIHB removed several predetermination requirements, including those for:
- first dental visits for children age three and under; and
- prefabricated metal crowns for permanent teeth.
Additionally, emergency examinations are no longer counted against the maximum number of annual examinations or restricted by frequency guidelines.
“Especially in remote areas, many people rely on the NIHB program to receive essential dental treatment and other health care services that would otherwise be inaccessible,” adds Dr. Ward. “CDA will continue advocating for improved access to oral health care for those who need it most.”
This year, CDA released Our Path to Reconciliation: A Guide to Acknowledging Indigenous Peoples and Traditional Territory, a practical toolkit to support meaningful land acknowledgements. CDA’s commitment is rooted in acknowledging the past, making meaningful progress toward culturally sensitive and accessible care, and sharing a journey of reconciliation through learning and collaboration.
To learn more about the cultures, voices, experiences, and stories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, visit the Government of Canada’s official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation page and join the conversation on social media using #NDTR. Resources on the history of residential schools are also available on the government’s site.
For mental health support, please contact the 24-Hour Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
Learn More:
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Orange Shirt Day
- Indigenous Dental Association of Canada
- Learning resources about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis across Canada
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports
About the Canadian Dental Association
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) is a trusted national voice for dentists and leader working to improve the oral health of all people living in Canada. We promote oral health, support our members, and advance the dental profession. Founded in 1902, CDA has no regulatory role and is a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization whose corporate members are Canada’s provincial and territorial dental associations (PTDAs). We represent over 21,000 practising dentists nationwide and are a trusted brand and source of information about oral health and the dental profession on national and international issues.
Media Contact:
Jeff D’Andrea
Media Relations Specialist
Canadian Dental Association
613-523-7963
media@cda-adc.ca
