In light of the recent proposed national dental care plan in Canada, AboutFace holds concern for potential gaps in coverage and equitable access to care for members of the facial difference community. 

In order to ensure the new national dental care plan incorporates the needs of the two million Canadians with facial differences, AboutFace notes the following should be considered:

• Ensure the plan incorporates support for people with facial differences who do not identify as disabled.
• Ensure that people with facial differences are eligible for regular, ongoing general dental care and specialist care. 
• If eligibility is dependent on not having any private or employer-related dental benefits, recognize that not all dental plans are created equal, especially for the facial difference community.
• Ensure access to dental care is safe and timely for people with facial differences. 

We have contacted the following representatives, to provide our feedback to help advance inclusion efforts within the proposed dental plan. 

• The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
  Prime Minister of Canada
• The Honourable Candice Bergen, P.C., M.P.
  Leader of the Official Opposition
  
• The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.
  Minister of Health
• Mr. Jagmeet Singh, M.P.
  Leader, New Democratic Party (NDP)
• Mr. Michael Barrett, M.P.
  Shadow Minister of Health
• Mr. Don Davies, M.P.
  NDP Health Critic
  

Please click here to read the letter in full.