Starting June 27, Canadian Dental Care Plan applications open to children under 18 and persons with disabilities
Ottawa – Budget 2024 is strengthening Canada’s social safety net by improving access to dental care so that every generation can have a fair shot at receiving the care they deserve while making life cost less.
The federal government is continuing to roll out the Canadian Dental Care Plan to provide dental coverage for uninsured Canadians with an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000. Since this measure was announced in Budget 2023, historic progress has been made to be able to cover one quarter of Canadian residents who don’t have access to oral health coverage. Children under the age of 12 are already receiving dental care with the interim Canada Dental Benefit, which has supported over 450,000 children. To date, over 2 million applications have been approved for eligible seniors, many of whom are now able to visit an oral health provider.
On June 27, the Canadian Dental Care Plan will expand to include children under 18 and persons with a valid disability tax credit certificate. Eligible Canadians will be able to apply online through Service Canada. Coverage start date, details of coverage, and member cards will be sent to successful applicants by Sun Life, the contracted service provider, in a welcome package.
In 2025, online applications will open for uninsured Canadians between the ages of 18 and 64. Once fully implemented, the Canadian Dental Care Plan will cover 9 million Canadians, saving families money, significantly improving health outcomes, and making health care in Canada fairer for every generation.
Through Budget 2024, the federal government is building a fairer Canada, where every generation can reach their full potential—including getting the dental care they need. It is making Canada’s tax system fairer by asking the very wealthiest to pay their fair share—so that we can make investments in health and prosperity for every generation.
“Too many Canadians are going without the dental care they need. That is why we launched the Canadian Dental Care Plan—a transformative expansion of Canada’s social safety net—to ensure every Canadian can get the dental care they need. By next year, nine million uninsured Canadians will have their dental care covered. That’s what fairness is about.” – Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
“One in four Canadians avoided visiting the dentist because of the cost – the Canadian Dental Care Plan will change that. Since its launch 6 weeks ago, over 200,000 Canadians have seen an oral health provider. As eligibility continues to open to new groups, even more Canadians will have access to a plan that will improve health outcomes, reduce the burden on our healthcare system, and build a foundation of equity for every Canadian to have the confidence that comes with a great smile.” – Mark Holland, Minister of Health
“Dental care is health care, and Canadians should not have to choose between paying their bills and getting the care they need. Millions of seniors have already benefitted from the Canada Dental Care Plan, and with this expanded eligibility that number will continue to grow. Thanks to our plan, Canadians can get dental care when they need it — that’s fairness for every generation.” – Anita Anand, Treasury Board President
“No parent should have to choose between taking care of their kid’s teeth and paying their bills. More children across Canada will now have access to the dental care they need to have healthy smiles. This is yet another step we are taking to help support hard-working families, make life cost less, and ensure fairness for every generation.” – Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development