In a move aimed at alleviating the concerns of millions of Canadians, the federal government is set to expand the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) to include children and individuals with disabilities.
Starting June 27, the plan will encompass children under 18 and those possessing a valid disability tax credit certificate.
Eligible individuals can apply online through Service Canada, with Sun Life issuing coverage details, start dates, and member cards in a welcome package.
Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating, “Too many Canadians lack access to essential dental care. The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a crucial step towards addressing this gap in our social safety net, ensuring that every Canadian can receive necessary dental treatments.”
This initiative, unveiled in late 2023, comes with a significant investment. Budget 2023 earmarked $13 billion over five years, commencing in 2023-24, with an additional ongoing investment of $4.4 billion to facilitate the CDCP implementation.
By 2025, online applications will open for uninsured Canadians aged 18 to 64. Ultimately, the CDCP aims to remove financial obstacles for up to nine million uninsured Canadians with a family income below $90,000, fostering better access to oral health care.
Children below 12 already benefit from the interim Canada Dental Benefit, aiding over 450,000 children. The initiative has approved more than two million applications for eligible seniors, enabling them to access oral health services.
Health Canada, in collaboration with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), administers the plan through Service Canada and Sun Life.
Furthermore, starting this year, employers are mandated to disclose dental care spending details for employees during tax filings. This includes reporting whether employees or their family members had access to dental insurance or coverage through their employment by the end of the taxation year.