The New Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal initiative designed to make dental care more accessible and affordable for Canadians who do not have private dental insurance. Here are some key aspects of the CDCP:
- Eligibility: The plan targets Canadian residents with an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000 who lack access to dental insurance. Eligibility is phased, with priority given to seniors aged 65 and above, followed by adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and children under 18, with broader eligibility expected in 2025 (Canada.ca).
2. Coverage: The CDCP covers a variety of oral health services. Basic services include dental exams, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants. More extensive treatments covered include root canals, gum disease management, crowns, dentures, and certain types of oral surgery. Some services, especially those considered major or orthodontic, require preauthorization (Canada.ca).
3. Costs: The plan has a co-payment structure based on income. For instance, families earning under $70,000 do not have a co-payment, while those earning between $70,000 and $89,999 face co-payments ranging from 40% to 60% (Ontario Dental Association). Additional out-of-pocket costs may occur if the CDCP rate is lower than the dentist’s usual fees, or for services not covered by the plan (CDA-ADC).
4. Providers: Dental care providers bill Sun Life, the administrator of the plan, directly for eligible services. Patients should verify that their provider participates in the CDCP and discuss potential out-of-pocket costs before receiving services (Canada.ca).
5. Application Process: Applications for the CDCP are managed by Service Canada and opened in phases starting in December 2023. Applicants need to provide personal and financial information and must have filed a tax return for the previous year (Canada.ca) (Canada.ca).
The CDCP is part of the government's broader effort to reduce financial barriers to dental care in Canada, aiming to cover up to 9 million residents without dental insurance (Canada.ca).
For more detailed information about services covered and how to apply, you can visit the official CDCP page on the Government of Canada's website.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html
