Mr. Lyle R. Best
As the chairman of CDSPI’s Board of Directors, I have the pleasure of talking with dentists across Canada. Often, I find a dentist’s first reaction to hearing “CDSPI” is to tell me they have our office insurance. That’s not surprising—the plan offers excellent value, so a large majority of eligible dentists use it. What’s more surprising to me is that some of our participants don’t recognize the overall value of CDSPI.
Most dentists know that CDSPI offers a broad range of insurance plans that offer major pluses for dentists, such as tailored features and attractive premiums. Many also know that CDSPI provides investment products with similar advantages—from quality investment funds with very low fees to exceptional private wealth management. And numerous dentists have benefited from our no-cost programs, such as the student insurance package and the Members’ Assistance Program.
These all provide excellent value. But they don’t paint the whole picture.
When I talk about the overall value of CDSPI, I don’t stop at the superior products and services. In fact, one of the most valuable things the company provides is not related to money—it’s the personal support our people provide.
For example, when floods devastated large areas of Alberta in June, CDSPI immediately responded to dentists looking for information about their insurance coverage. The company acted fast to ensure that dentists knew who to contact, readied the 24-hour telephone claims system, and reached out to its insurers so additional resources could be put in place to serve participants. As people began to make claims, CDSPI was heavily involved in helping to expedite and simplify the process.
In short, CDSPI reached out to help dentists in a time of need and went far beyond what an insurance broker might do. Of course, CDSPI’s support is usually given in less dramatic circumstances.
Every day at CDSPI Advisory Services Inc., highly credentialed experts who truly understand dentists’ needs help participants with their financial planning at no cost to them. These advisers are non‑commissioned—an important reassurance for dentists
looking for unbiased advice with no sales pressure. Our advisors help in many ways. On the insurance side, professional advisors help clients find the right types of insurance and coverage for their circumstances. At the same time, investment planning advisors look at clients’ current situations and aspirations to design personal investment plans that help them reach their goals. Dentists can even get full financial plans at no cost, encompassing all aspects of their financial planning.
Support also comes in the form of educational resources provided by the company, including seminars, “how to” materials and web resources. Or the numerous sponsorships CDSPI Advisory Services Inc. provides each year for dental causes—many through dental associations and dental schools—such as new dentist mentorship, access to care and continuing education.
None of this happens by chance. CDSPI’s Board is made up of both experienced dentists and financial industry experts who direct the company to maximize advantages for dentists. As a not-for-profit company, that’s CDSPI’s mission—and something it has been doing for over 50 years.
Put it all together—the top drawer products, the informed advice, the advanced service—and that’s the added value CDSPI provides for dentists.