The Canadian Dental Care Plan, a program aimed at making dental care more accessible and affordable for Canadians, was officially launched nationwide. The plan offers dental care benefits to Canadian residents who are uninsured with a household income under $90,000, as part of a supply-and-confidence deal between the Liberals and the NDP. The first phase of the plan, which rolled out on May 1, provides coverage for seniors aged 70 and older, as well as those aged 65 and above who meet the criteria. The plan covers services such as new dentures, cleanings, examinations, and fillings, among others.
Over 1.9 million seniors are now eligible to access the Canadian Dental Care Plan, with more than 1,200 seniors already having visited a dentist and had their claims processed under the program. The first one million seniors who registered received their benefits card on May 1 and became eligible to make claims. Eligibility for the program requires Canadian residency, lack of access to dental insurance, an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000, and filing of the 2023 tax return. Applications are now available for eligible seniors aged 65 and older, with children under 18 and individuals with a disability tax credit certificate able to apply starting in June.
Moving forward, eligible Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 can apply for the program online starting in 2025. The focus remains on ensuring that seniors, persons with disabilities, and children under 18 have access to necessary oral health services. Applications can be completed online, over the phone, or in person at a Service Canada location. To complete the application, individuals will need to provide personal information such as their social insurance number, date of birth, full name, and home and mailing address, as well as details of any existing dental coverage through government social programs if applicable.
More than 6,500 oral health providers have signed up to participate in the Canadian Dental Care Plan, and Health Canada has stated that these providers are ready to offer services to CDCP patients. Those who do not have an existing oral health provider can use Sun Life’s CDCP Provider Search tool to locate a suitable provider in their community. Claims made before July 8 will only be processed from a participating provider, and individuals who pay for the full cost themselves will not be reimbursed. The government estimates that as many as nine million people could benefit from the program, making it the largest benefit program in Canada’s history.
Overall, the Canadian Dental Care Plan aims to address the barriers that prevent many Canadians from accessing necessary dental care services due to lack of insurance or affordability. By providing coverage for a wide range of dental services, the program seeks to improve the oral health and overall well-being of Canadian residents across different age groups and income levels. With the gradual rollout of the plan and the expansion of eligibility criteria, more individuals will have the opportunity to receive essential dental care and maintain good oral health.
