OTTAWA,
ON, June 27, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the
Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social
Development announced that eligible children under the age of 18
and adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate can now
apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
Since the launch of the CDCP, more than 2 million seniors have
been approved to receive coverage under the Plan and since
May 1, more than 200,000 have already
gotten care for services like cleaning, fillings, dentures.
With applications opening today for two new groups of Canadians,
approximately 1.2 million more people will soon have access to
improved oral health. This will mean approximately 938,000 children
and more than 180,000 adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit
certificate will have more affordable access to the oral health
care that they need.
There are currently more than 11,400 oral health providers
including hygienists, dentists, and denturists offering a wide
range of services to CDCP clients. If CDCP clients do not already
have an oral health provider, they can consult Sun Life's CDCP
Provider Search to find a provider in their community or speak
to their local oral health provider to see if they accept CDCP
clients. As of July 8, any oral
health providers will be able to bill Sun Life directly for care
provided to any CDCP client without having to formally participate
in the program.
Successful applicants will receive a welcome package from Sun
Life within approximately three months of their application, which
will include an overview of their coverage and their coverage start
date. Expenses for treatments provided under the CDCP will not be
covered prior to the coverage start date.
CDCP patients may have to pay additional charges, in addition to
their co-payment, if applicable, depending on the services received
and the cost of the treatment. Before receiving any services, CDCP
patients should confirm the amount that is not covered by the
CDCP.
Oral health care is health care. No one should have to choose
between taking care of their teeth and paying their bills. The CDCP
is going to help make dental care more affordable for up to nine
million Canadians who are estimated to currently not have
coverage.
For more information, visit Canada.ca/dental.
Quotes
"Expanding eligibility to the CDCP to children under the age of
18 and to adults with valid Disability Tax Credits will mean that
more than one million additional Canadians will have affordable
access to the oral health care they need. This is about fairness
and making sure people have access to the care they need to be
healthy and have the dignity they deserve."
The Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
"Oral health is crucial for your overall well-being.
Applications to the Canadian Dental Care Plan have been seamless
with more than two million successful applicants since its launch
in December 2023. Our primary goal is
to ensure that eligible individuals with disabilities, children
under 18, and seniors have access to essential oral health
services. Service Canada is fully
prepared to deliver high-quality and smooth client service as
Canadians continue to apply."
The Honourable Terry Beech
Minister of Citizens' Services
"Fairness for every generation starts with ensuring every child
in Canada has the best start in
life. That's why we've made transformative investments such as
affordable child care and the Canada Child Benefit. Increasing
access to dental health care to all children under 18 builds on our
plan to support families and their children across the country,
while ensuring every generation can reach their full
potential".
The Honourable Jenna Sudds
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
"Today marks another major milestone in ensuring Canadians get
better access to affordable dental care. Following the successful
rollout of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for seniors,
children and youth under 18 and adults living with a disability are
now able to enroll to receive the oral health care they need and
deserve. Nobody should have to delay getting essential dental care
because they can't pay for it, and the CDCP is changing that".
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Public Services and Procurement
"Already, I have heard from seniors in my riding who are
grateful not to have the stress about how to afford dental care
that they need. Expanding the CDCP to persons living with
disabilities and children will ensure that nobody puts off going to
the dentist because they can't afford it, and will prevent far more
serious long term oral health issues. This is making a real
difference right now."
Anita Vandenbeld
Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean
Quick Facts
- Eligible seniors aged 65 and over can continue to apply to the
CDCP using the online application.
- In December 2022, the Government
of Canada launched the interim
Canada Dental Benefit (CDB) to help lower dental costs for eligible
families. The CDB helped close to 450,000 children under 12 receive
oral health care. With the CDB coming to an end on June 30th, those parents and guardians
are now invited to apply to the CDCP for the children under their
care to the CDCP for the children under their care.
- All remaining eligible Canadian residents between the ages of
18 and 64 will be able to apply online in 2025.
- CDCP provider participation is voluntary. Oral health providers
eligible to participate and who can bill for services include:
- dentists
- denturists
- dental hygienists
- dental specialists
- Earlier this month, the Government of Canada launched the Oral Health Access
Fund (OHAF). This Fund will support projects that aim to
improve training and capacity for oral health care providers,
connect people to oral health care, and deliver prevention and
education efforts to improve oral health.
Associated Links
- Canadian Dental Care Plan – Apply
- CDCP Provider Search Tool
- OHAF Call for proposals
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada