The president of the Ontario Dental Association is calling the Trudeau Liberals’ new federal dental plan a positive step.

But Dr. Brock Nicolucci says he’s still waiting on more information.

“The details of the plan still have to be unfolded and so, the federal government did bring the territorial and provincial dental associations together. Unfortunately, it was at the eleventh hour but today’s (Monday’s) announcement shows that they are still willing to sit down and work with us and hopefully go through the details and the concerns that we have,” Nicolucci explained.

It was confirmed Monday that eligible Canadian residents over the age of 87 will be the first cohort to be able to apply to join a new federal dental insurance plan.

Anthony Quinn is the chief membership officer for CARP – a new vision of aging.

He says the implementation is too gradual.

“It really is of concern for CARP members that it’s starting to slowly,” Quinn told Zoomer Radio’s Fight Back with Libby Znaimer, “Seniors over age 87, obviously, is a very small number of Canadians and it will take months before they can start to take advantage of those benefits. And for many over age 87, they’re not filing their taxes on regular schedules and if they’re not filing their taxes, they’re not going to qualify.”

The dental plan will be expanded over the course of next year to include all qualifying seniors, children under 18 and people with disabilities.

Coverage will include preventative, diagnostic, restorative and surgical services, including X-rays, fillings, root canal treatments and dentures.

NDP Leader Jugmeet Singh is taking credit for the new dental plan which he pushed for as part of the New Democrats’ agreement with the minority Liberals to support them on key votes until 2025.