Sault Ste. Marie – Canadians deserve to age with dignity. That comes down to the dignity of choice, to affordability, and to good health. Because health isn’t just about years in one’s life, it’s about quality of life. Canada’s Minister for Seniors, Seamus O’Regan Jr., accompanied by Parliamentary Secretary Terry Sheehan, visited Kotitalo Assisted Living and Supportive Housing in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to meet with seniors and discuss the Government of Canada’s work to help seniors age with dignity, including the new Canada Dental Care Plan.
The The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) recently hit a major milestone when it reached one million seniors who have been approved for dental care coverage – including over 400,000 seniors in Ontario. While speaking with seniors at Kotitalo Assisted Living and Supportive Housing, Minister O’Regan announced that the Government of Canada is now extending invitations to seniors, aged 70 and up, to apply to the CDCP.
People who qualify for the CDCP can start seeing a dentist or other dental care provider as early as May 2024, based on their coverage date. An individual’s coverage start date, the date at which they can begin to access services, will vary based on when the application is received and when enrolment is completed. Expenses made prior to the coverage start date will not be covered.
Before receiving any dental care services, CDCP clients should confirm that their provider is participating in the plan and that services they will be receiving will be covered by the CDCP. The CDCP may not cover the full cost of the dental visit and these costs will need to be paid directly to the provider, following an appointment.
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 every Canadian, including the 9 million Canadians who are estimated to currently not have coverage. For more information, visit Canada.ca/dental.
“More than one million seniors have been approved for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. This is big. Because health care isn’t just about adding years to your life, it’s about adding life to your years. There’s no dignity in living with tooth aches or old dentures.” – Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister for Seniors