Healthy teeth and gums contribute to overall good health. You can help us create a complete and representative picture on the state of oral health in Canada by participating in a new survey.
Statistics Canada and Health Canada have partnered to develop the Canadian Oral Health Survey, which aims to gather oral health information from 55,000 Canadian households.
Data collection for the survey starts today and goes until March 13, 2024. If you have been contacted to participate, we encourage you to do so. These data will provide the necessary evidence policymakers need for developing programs that best support Canadians in improving their oral health, as well as monitor changes over time.
Additionally, information on Canadians’ experiences with the oral health care system and their ability to both pay for and find services that meet their care needs, will help guide future policies and build better public health programs.
Please visit our Information for survey participants and Trust Centre pages for more information on how we conduct surveys and keep your personal information secure.
Historical data on the link between dental care costs, insurance coverage, and accessing care
Findings from our most recent data on oral health, collected by the Canadian Community Health Survey from February to December 2022, show that over one-third (35%) of Canadians aged 12 years and older living in the provinces reported not visiting a dental professional in the previous 12 months.
Over the same 12-month period, an equal proportion (35%) of Canadians reported not having dental insurance and just under half (49%) of those did not visit a dental professional.
In addition, almost one in four (24%) Canadians reported avoiding going to a dental professional due to cost. This percentage in avoidance of dental services due to cost was generally higher in those belonging to racialized, immigrant, transgender or non-binary populations, and those with a functional difficulty.
Oral health information currently being collected as part of the survey will provide up-to-date information about Canadians’ oral health, dental care access, and knowledge of publicly-funded oral health programs and insurance coverage.
Note to readers
The Canadian Oral Health Survey supports the federal government’s commitment to improve oral health and foster equitable outcomes in oral healthcare nationwide—including the Canadian Dental Care Plan—as announced in Budget 2023.
Contact information
For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).