Dentists pulling out of medicare

QUEBEC CITY- Quebec's health minister is expected to take action Thursday morning to prevent the majority of the province's dentists from pulling out of the medicare program, after they rejected the government's final contract offer.

The Association des chirurgiens dentistes du Québec confirms its members will pull out of the public Health Insurance Board, and charge to treat patients normally covered including children under the age of 10, and those on welfare.

Dentist Dr Michael Wiseman calls the final offer presented by the government "a con game".

He says the proposed increase of 3 per cent per year over 12 years is essentially the same as the government's previous offer, which he says does not cover the increasing costs faced by dentists which are about 3.5 per cent.

Wiseman says the doctors are prepared to continue to treat covered patients at a reduced fee.

"But, there is a limit to how much we can give," he says.

The Association says this debate with the government has been ongoing for the past decade.

A spokesperson for Health Minsiter Philippe Couillard says the government would prefer to reach a negotiated settlement with the dentists, but warned action would be taken to prevent them from opting out.

It is expected the government will sign a decree to that effect.