Some federal retirees lament being left behind as employee dental plan improves

Some federal retirees say they feel left behind when it comes to a dental plan they pay into, but offers fewer benefits than that of their working counterparts, with one calling the discrepancies "atrocious."

While all federal employees, retirees and their dependants share the same Public Service Health Care Plan for medical and vision care administered by Canada Life, there are two separate dental plans.

Current employees get coverage under the Public Service Dental Care Plan (PSDCP) and retirees are under the Pensioners' Dental Services Plan (PDSP).

Under the current employees' plan, a number of benefit improvements, including a raise in the yearly benefit cap to $3,000 from $2,500, came into effect Jan. 1.

Another increase to $3,250 is expected in 2027.

Meanwhile, the retirees' plan has remained stagnant for decades — last updated in 2005 — with an annual maximum of $1,500 a year.

"Where do we fit in? Why were we left out?" Debbie Myers laments, questioning the growing benefit gap.

"I don't see why the older retirees have been left out. It's atrocious."

The retirees' plan covers approximately 325,000 members who pay a monthly fee for half the annual coverage of current employees'.

Myers said she's had around $13,000 worth of needed dental work done over the last two years.

Beyond the $3,000 covered over a two-year period, Myers had to dip into her savings.

"I've had two root canals done this year and I've had more procedures done ...  It's a lot of money," she said. "I just can't keep waiting for next year for my $1,500. It's beyond a joke, really. It's just unbelievable."

Beyond the yearly maximum, the pensioners' plan fails to include a number of benefits afforded to employees, including implants.

"Our teeth get frail and well, for myself, I even just ate something that wasn't even hard and half my tooth broke off," said Dorothy Cushway, who sat as a director on the National Association of Federal Retirees and still regularly volunteers with seniors.

Cushway has heard from a number of people who have made difficult decisions about their oral health.

"I've heard people ... just don't go to the dentist or they stretch it out over the following year," she said. "The odd person just gets the tooth pulled instead of having a crown. It's less expensive."

In a statement to CBC News, the Treasury Board said the pensioners' dental plan is voluntary for retired members of the federal public service and their dependants and provides coverage for certain services and supplies not covered by the provinces or territories.

"The benefits under the PDSP are on par with similar retiree plans," the department wrote. "There are currently no plans to make changes to PDSP benefits."

Some mulling dropping private plan

The new national insurance plan, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), came into effect last May.

The taxpayer-funded program helps pay for dental procedures including cleanings, fillings and dentures. It covers low- to middle-income Canadians who don't have access to private dental insurance — an estimated nine million people.

Seniors over the age of 65 are currently eligible to join the plan, as long as they meet the income restrictions and don't have access to a private dental plan.

Multiple federal retirees contacted CBC with complaints about the PDSP, with some saying they were considering dropping the private plan and its monthly premiums, in favour of the national plan.

Because Cushway and Myers both access a private dental care plan, they've been told they would not qualify for the CDCP — even if the benefits under the national plan are better than the private one.

A national seniors advocacy group has also been hearing from people across the country in the wake of the federal plan.

"The dental care plan has long been asked for by seniors in Canada. It answers a very grave need," said Anthony Quinn, chief operating officer of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons.

"But as we're rolling this massive national program out, there's certain to be some hurdles and I think qualifications for those who have opted to pay into a private health-care plan, that's one of the hurdles to be straightened out," he said. 

He suggests people who currently have private dental plans speak with their insurers about whether they could be eligible for the national plan if they opt out of their private dental coverage.

But ultimately, Myers and Cushway want the Treasury Board to review and update the current plan they already pay into.

"I do think it needs to change, and I think it needs to change sooner rather than later. This is affecting a lot of people," Myers said.