After five years of negotiations, an agreement in principle has been reached between Quebec and the Association of Dental Surgeons of Quebec (ACDQ), ministers Sonia LeBel and Christian Dubé announced Friday morning in a press release.
The Dr Carl Tremblay, president of the ACDQ, was delighted with the outcome of the negotiations, especially since the last agreement expired in April 2015, more than seven years ago.
“After five arduous years of negotiations with the government regarding a framework agreement that expired in April 2015, we finally have in our hands a proposal that we can present to our members at our next general meeting. I would like to underline the dedication of the members of the ACDQ, because despite the absence of an agreement with the Government of Quebec, the province’s dentists have been offering, for more than seven years, top quality oral care to the beneficiaries of the Quebec plan,” said Dr.r Carl Tremblay.
The details of the agreement will not be made public until the ACDQ, which represents 4,300 dental surgeons, has presented the offer to its members.
The press release nevertheless indicates that the negotiated measures make it possible “to fully recognize the contribution of dentists while promoting accessibility to health care in collaboration with other stakeholders in the health and social services network.”
“I am very pleased with this mutually satisfactory agreement for the parties and I salute their remarkable efforts to bring it to a conclusion. Our dentists are important and guarantee access to quality care and services for all citizens of Quebec,” said the President of the Treasury Board, Sonia LeBel.
“The health of Quebecers also depends on oral health. Our dentists are important partners in the healthcare system. I would like to thank them for their work,” added the Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé.
