Quebec dentists threaten to leave the public system due to strained contract negotiations

MONTREAL – Quebec dentists threaten to withdraw from the public health system and deprive more than 620,000 people of subsidized care if the prime minister does not intervene in strained contract negotiations.

Serge Langlois, President of the Association of Dentists We can not trust the Minister of Health during contract negotiations and Prime Minister Philippe Couillard must intervene

Langlois said that if Couillard n & # 39; Not intervene, the majority of its 4300 members will leave the public system at the end of August.

The Minister of Health, Gaetan Barrette, wants to make changes that will represent a 12% drop in the annual income of general dentists in the province.

million. Langlois says his badociation represents more than 95% of all general dentists in Quebec and the majority will choose to leave the public system if Couillard does not intervene.

The Collective Agreement between the Government and Gender

Quebec covers the cost of dental care for children under 10 years of age and persons living on social badistance.

Langlois says that if dentists leave the public system, about 620,000 people will be deprived of subsidized care. except for the dental procedures of urgency.