Volume 8 • 2021 • Issue 4

Like others on the team, Breau found the meetings energizing and optimistic. “Rather than this mixed reaction being a disappointment, it actually bodes well for the success of the CDA’s federal advocacy efforts on two levels,” he says. “We have strong interest and engagement from key federal officials on the short-term issues facing the dental profession as a result of the pandemic, but we have also gained valuable feedback on some of our more significant proposals, enabling us to be better positioned to pursue these objectives over the long-term.” “Nodoubt COVID-related issueswere topofmindduring these meetings,” says Dr. Holden. “Many in our profession were shut down or had their workflow drastically reduced last year. Many dental offices struggled to secure adequate PPE. In addition, the escalating costs for PPE put a significant burden on many of us. Many of us had to make physical changes to our offices. There were good reasons to ask the federal government for assistance to help with securing PPE at reasonable costs and capital cost allowances to help offset these increased expenses.” Dr. Holden feels very passionate about another key issue, the effort to establish minimum oral health standards in long-term care (LTC) homes. “It’s my hope that some of the Days on the Hill 2021 2021 Days on the Hill Recommendations The CDA recommends: • that the Federal Government provide capital cost allowances to help defray the capital expenses involved in enhancing the safety of workspaces and patient care areas in health care offices, as well as grants to encourage offices to continue enhancing these areas. • that the Federal Government suppor t Canadian businesses in providing extended health care benefits. • a long-term approach to funding public oral health programs provided at the provincial and territorial level through a dedicated funding envelope of $3 billion in the Canada Health Transfer. • Indigenous Services Canada to continue to address poor drinking water conditions in First Nations and Inuit communities. • that Indigenous Services Canada also undertake long-term solutions to ensure clean water in these communities, in perpetuity. • that the Federal Government, through the Public Health Agency of Canada, work with the provincial chief medical officers and their respective dental directors to actively ensure that dentists have continued access to a stable, ongoing supply of reasonably priced PPE, including medical grade masks, N95 respirators and gloves. This assistance should remain dynamic and adjust to the state of PPE availability, as it evolves in the coming years. money targeted in the most recent federal budget could be directed to oral health care standards in LTC institutions,” says Dr. Holden. “I want to see tangible help for residents who can’t get to a dentist on their own due to mobility or cognitive reasons. I felt this topic resonated with several of the MPs we spoke to.” Despite not including in-person meetings, the virtual Days on the Hill was a rewarding and productive part of an ongoing dialogue about how to best advance Canadian oral health care. “In all the conversations with the various parties, there was a positive exchange of information,” adds Dr. Carr. “And, in many cases, an interest for further conversation on a targeted approach to improving access to care for oral health.” Top Row (L. to r.): Dr. Sanjukta Mohanta, CDA advocacy committee; Jamie Schmale, Conservative MP for Haliburton/ Kawartha Lakes/Brock, Ontario. Bottom Row (L. to r.): Dr. Daniel Albert, CDA advocacy committee; Dr. Christopher Robinson, CDA advocacy committee. 17 Issue 4 | 2021 |