CDCP to make dental care more affordable in Canada
The government of Canada has revealed details for the upcoming roll-out of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Once fully implemented, the CDCP will help ease financial barriers to accessing oral health care for up to nine million uninsured Canadian residents with an annual family income of less than $90,000, according to the press release.
A wide range of oral health care services will be covered under the CDCP to prevent and treat oral health disease. Examples include preventive care such as scaling (cleaning), polishing, as well as other services such as exams, x-rays, fillings, removable dentures, and root canal treatments. The CDCP will also be reviewed regularly based on data and evidence to ensure it meets the needs of Canadians.
To limit the out-of-pocket expenses for those covered under the CDCP, oral health providers who enrol as service providers in the CDCP and provide oral health care services will bill the CDCP directly for reimbursement rather than having patients seek reimbursement from Sun Life, according to the government.
"The Canadian Dental Care Plan will be transformative for our country. It will significantly improve health outcomes, reduce a burden on our health care system, and build a foundation of equity by expanding access to oral health care for the millions of Canadians that currently do not have access to this critical care,” said Mark Holland, Minister of Health, in the press release.
Who qualifies for the CDCP?
The CDCP is not intended to be a replacement for existing dental benefits offered through employer/pension-sponsored or private plans. However, it is intended for the CDCP to fill existing gaps in coverage and complement existing provincial and territorial dental programs.
To qualify for the CDCP, the following criteria must be met:
- no access to dental insurance;
- an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000;
- be a Canadian resident for tax purposes; and
- filed their tax return in the previous year.
Canadian residents who have access to dental benefits through a social program offered by their province or territory and/or by the federal government will be eligible for the CDCP if they meet all the eligibility criteria.
The roll-out process
For those who are eligible, the CDCP will be rolled out in a phased approach over the coming months that will start by opening applications to seniors aged 87 and above in December 2023. This will be followed by the opening of applications for those aged 77 to 86 in January 2024, 72 to 76 in February 2024, and 70 to 71 in March 2024. Individuals in these age groups who may be eligible will receive letters inviting them to apply, with instructions on how to validate their eligibility and apply by telephone.
In May 2024, applications will shift to an online portal and will open for eligible seniors aged 65 and older, and in June 2024, those with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and children under the age of 18 will be able to apply online.
All remaining eligible Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 will be able to apply online starting in 2025. The phased approach was designed to meet anticipated demand and ensure a smooth onboarding process, according to the government.
Canadians who are enrolled in the CDCP will be able to start seeing an oral health provider as early as May 2024, starting with seniors. The start date to access oral health care will vary based on when each group can apply, when the application is received and when enrolment is completed. This coverage start date, details of coverage and member card will be sent by Sun Life, the contracted service provider
