Nearly one out of five Canadians surveyed reported cost barriers to dental care. This study provides valuable baseline information for future studies to assess whether financial barriers to dental care are getting better or worse for Canadians.

BackgroundPrior to the 2007/09 Canadian Health Measures Survey, there was no nationally representative clinical data on the oral health of Canadians experiencing cost barriers to dental care. The aim of this study was to determine the oral health status and dental treatment needs of Canadians reporting cost barriers to dental care.MethodsA secondary data analysis of the 2007/09 Canadian Health Measures Survey was undertaken using a sample of 5,586 Canadians aged 6 to 79. Chi square tests were conducted to test the association between reporting cost barriers to care and oral health outcomes. Logistic regressions were conducted to identify predictors of reporting cost barriers.ResultsIndividuals who reported cost barriers to dental care had poorer oral health and more treatment needs compared to their counterparts.ConclusionsAvoiding dental care and/or foregoing recommended treatment because of cost may contribute to poor oral health. This study substantiates the potential likelihood of progressive dental problems caused by an inability to treat existing conditions due to financial barriers.

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A properly administered predetermination process can save a third party 8.5 percent of total plan expenditures; dollar changes to altered treatment plans amount to a 26 percent reduction of expenditures relating to these requests. A predetermination process with an unbiased appeal mechanism provides a system to advise and protect providers regarding what treatment is covered.