Recent data from Statistics Canada suggests more than a million Albertans aren’t sitting in a dental chair for regular checkups.

Only 70.9 per cent of Albertans reported seeing a dental professional in the past 12 months, according to the government agency.

This figure is slightly lower than the national average of 72.2 percent.

“Dental care in Alberta is quite expensive. We are the most expensive in the country,” said Calgary dental hygienist Shannon Hawryluk.

“A lot of people, even if they’re insured, may be underinsured…they may have multiple children or the children may already have a very extensive treatment plan with a lot of cavities…that’s definitely the biggest barrier.”

A non-profit service “always so busy”

Hawryluk manages the Alex Community Health Center dental bus program.

The bus travels to Calgary elementary schools and provides free basic dental care to children who might not otherwise have access to care.

Hawryluk said his team is seeing greater demand than ever.

“More and more schools are contacting me and asking for our care. And then, in schools, we are receiving more consent forms than ever this year.”

“I was expecting this new dental plan to go down this year, but that hasn’t happened yet.”

Some Albertans can enjoy more affordable trips to the dentist thanks to the new Canadian Dental Care Plan, which has begun to roll out in phases.

Seniors, people with disabilities and children are eligible for full or partial coverage for most dental procedures, provided they do not have dental insurance and their household income is less than $90,000.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said the province will opt out of the federal dental plan by 2026, but in the meantime the province has confirmed Albertans can still access care through the program.

Many factors affect access, dental association says

“Hopefully (the national plan) will give people an opportunity to see a dentist when they thought cost was a factor,” said Dr. Jenny Doerksen, president of the Alberta Dental Association.

Doerksen said dentists in the province have to sterilize more equipment and pay high overhead costs compared to other provinces, which can drive up the price of appointments and procedures.

“Alberta has the highest level of infection control and the highest standards of care, so that drives up the cost of the delivery system,” she said.

Fear of dental procedures, lack of oral health knowledge and staff shortages also keep people away from the dentist’s office, according to Doerksen.

Language barriers can also affect access, Hawryluk said.

“We welcome a lot of newcomers here in Alberta, don’t we? she said. “Navigating resources is a challenge for newcomers or people who do not speak English as a first language.”

The Statistics Canada release also states that 26 per cent of Canadians suffer from mouth pain or avoid certain foods due to oral problems.