Negotiations with the MSSS – Only 30 days left to reach an agreement: Dentists file first wave of 2,000 notices of withdrawal from the public dental care regime

MONTRÉAL, July 26, 2018 – The Association des chirurgiens dentistes du Québec (ACDQ) has filed its first wave of nearly 2,000 notices of withdrawal from the public dental care regime. The notices were sent to Quebec’s Public Health Insurance Plan and, by bailiff, to Premier Philippe Couillard’s Montréal offices. A second series of forms will be filed by the end of the vacation period, as the vast majority of ACDQ members have formally confirmed their intention to issue their notices in the near future.

“Through this action, which is intended to move our negotiations with the Minister of Health out of their current deadlock, we want to reassure the public of two things: First, that this withdrawal will not take effect for one month, and second, that emergency services are still fully covered. There is therefore no reason to panic or believe the scare tactics that the Minister of Health will undoubtedly use to mask his refusal to improve the public dental care regime and his desire to lower dentists’ incomes,” declared Dr. Serge Langlois, president of the ACDQ. “We have 30 days left to reach an agreement, but for that to happen, Mr. Barrette needs to stop saddling dentists with the results of a situation he created by failing to fulfil his own duty to the public,” he continued.

By requiring dentists to “prioritize” their demands at the negotiating table, not only is Minister Barrette pretending to ignore that these demands have already been prioritized, he is forcing dentists to make tough choices that are actually his responsibility. He is the one obstinately refusing to discuss the scope of the public dental care regime, not to mention changes that are desirable and even necessary: pediatric services for children, care for medically compromised people, public healthcare services, care for First Nations people and more.

What’s more, Minister Barrette also wants to reduce the personal income of the dentists who have been caring for the public and supporting this program for more than 40 years by working at a reduced rate—first 50%, now 20%. It is unacceptable for him to impose an additional 12% reduction, as he is currently suggesting.

“Minister Barrette has threatened us with a ministerial decree under the pretext of ensuring dental care for vulnerable populations, even as he threatens multiple areas of the regime. Problems cannot be solved through intimidation. Minister Barrette knows this full well, as does Premier Couillard, whom we are addressing once again today. There is still one month left to avoid disruptions to services. It’s time to sit down and negotiate seriously,” concluded ACDQ president Dr. Serge Langlois.

About the ACDQ

The Association des chirurgiens dentistes du Québec is the professional union for Quebec’s dentists. Its mission is to study, defend and develop the professional, economic and social interests of its members. It also strives to gain recognition for its members’ expertise, contribute to their training, defend the value and importance of their services, negotiate all necessary agreements on their behalf, and support research, social action, and humanitarian activities.

For further information: Media contact: Sophie D’Astous, Tesla RP; sdastous@teslarp.com; 514‑237‑3611.

NT4