With the introduction of Bill C-5, the federal government is responding to calls from the health care sector for improved labour mobility in Canada. Although this legislation does not fully address the need for pan-Canadian licensure or interprovincial mobility, it removes key barriers at the federal level. This bill provides a framework for progress at the provincial level. Relevant aspects of Bill C-5 for oral health care workers include: • If you are licensed in one province (e.g., Manitoba), Bill C-5 would allow you to work in federally regulated environments (such as Indigenous Services Canada, Correctional Services Canada, or National Defence) without needing a separate federal authorization. • This legislation does not change licensing requirements between provinces. For example, a dentist moving from Manitoba to Ontario would still require registration with Ontario’s dental regulator. Bill C-5 and Oral Health Workforce • Federal leadership opens the door for provinces and regulators to do their part by reducing interprovincial barriers, something CDA will continue to advocate for. This bill reflects a growing recognition that workforce mobility is a national issue. However, key aspects of the legislation remain undefined, leaving uncertainty about how the bill will function. CDA will continue to seek clarity on this legislation to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients and dentists. On June 7, 2025, the creation of a new Saskatchewan Dental Association (SDA) was officially announced, at the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CDSS) Annual General Meeting. Effective January 1, 2027, the CDSS will no longer be providing advocacy and membership services in the province. Until that time, there are no changes planned at the CDSS, until the newly formed SDA is fully functional. A steering committee has begun planning the new SDA, and they are seeking volunteers to help shape the new organization for dentists in Saskatchewan. For more information, contact Dr. Todd Graham, chair of the SDA Steering Committee, at: info@saskdentists.com In July 2025, Calgary began adding fluoride back into its municipal water supply, 14 years after its city council voted to discontinue this public health measure. The decision was driven in part by data showing that the removal of fluoride was affecting the oral health of Calgary residents. For instance, a 2021 study at the University of Calgary (U of C) showed that Grade 2 students in Calgary were more likely to have cavities than similar aged children in Edmonton–a city that has continuously fluoridated its municipal water supply since 1967. Calgary had previously added fluoride to its municipal water supply between 1991 and 2011. In 2021, over 60% of Calgarians voted in favour of reintroducing fluoride into the city’s drinking water. Dr. James Dickinson, a professor of family medicine and community health sciences at the U of C, said reintroducing fluoride would be particularly beneficial for Calgary’s vulnerable populations, such as children or seniors living in continuing care centres, and others that may face barriers to visiting a dentist on a regular basis. New Saskatchewan Dental Association Calgary Resumes Community Water Fluoridation See: bit.ly/4nHy9DH 19 Issue 4 | 2025 |
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