Canada’s dental plan has officially kicked in. Who is eligible? – National | 24CA News

Health
Published 02.05.2024
Canada’s dental plan has officially kicked in. Who is eligible? – National | 24CA News

The first part of the Canadian Dental Care Plan was formally launched throughout the nation Wednesday. While 1.9 million seniors can now entry the plan, many different Canadians should wait a bit longer.

Starting May 1, protection grew to become obtainable for seniors aged 70 and older. Seniors aged 65 and above who meet the standards can even now apply for the dental plan.

“Today makes a very important milestone for the Canadian dental care program which will make dental care more accessible and affordable for Canadians,” Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos mentioned throughout a Wednesday media convention. “These are seniors who will be able to better able to take care of themselves in order to receive treatment for long-neglected dental needs, such as new dentures, cleaning, examinations or fillings.”


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The CDCP plan was born out of the Liberals’ supply-and-confidence take care of the NDP in 2022, and it provides dental care advantages on to Canadian residents who’re uninsured with a family earnings below $90,000.

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But it’s rolling out in phases.

As of Wednesday, greater than 1,200 seniors have already visited a dentist and had their claims processed by the federal authorities’s new dental care plan, Citizens’ Services Minister Terry Beech mentioned on the media convention.

The first a million seniors who registered for this system obtained their advantages card and have become eligible to make claims below this system on May 1. The first affected person was seen at 7:08 a.m. in Newfoundland and Labrador, Beech mentioned.

To entry the dental care program you should:


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  • be a Canadian resident
  • not have entry to any dental insurance coverage
  • have an adjusted household web earnings of lower than $90,000
  • have filed your 2023 tax return

Applications at the moment are obtainable for eligible seniors 65 and older.

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Starting in June, kids below the age of 18 and other people with a legitimate incapacity tax credit score certificates can apply.

All remaining eligible Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 can apply on-line beginning in 2025.

“The Canadian Dental Care Plan has seen significant uptake since its launch in December, and now we are transitioning to online applications,” Beech mentioned in a Wednesday media launch.

“Our focus remains on ensuring seniors, and soon, other groups, including persons with disabilities and children under 18 have access to necessary oral health services. Eligibility will continue to expand in the coming weeks and Service Canada is well-equipped to provide seamless, quality client service.”

Eligible Canadian residents can apply on-line, over the telephone, or in individual at a Service Canada.

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To full the applying, you will want:

  • social insurance coverage quantity
  • date of start
  • full identify
  • residence and mailing deal with
  • record of the dental protection you may have by means of authorities social applications (if relevant)

What dentists have enrolled?

More than 6,500 oral well being suppliers signed as much as take part and are prepared to offer companies to CDCP sufferers, Health Canada acknowledged within the press launch Wednesday

If eligible people don’t have an present oral well being supplier, they will use Sun Life’s CDCP Provider Search instrument to find a dentist, dental hygienist, denturist, or dental specialist inside their neighborhood.


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Before July 8, claims will solely be processed from a taking part supplier. If CDCP sufferers pay the complete prices themselves, they won’t be reimbursed.

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The authorities estimates that may imply protection for as many as 9 million individuals, making this system the biggest profit program in Canada’s historical past.

— With recordsdata from the Canadian Press

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