The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a long-awaited federal program for people who have no private dental insurance. Now the government has shared the detailed rollout. Its aim is to give essential dental benefits to low- and middle-income residents. Let’s look at the key points of this significant program.
This post was first written in December 2023. The dates and amounts below are from the rollout announced at that time.
Where the Dental Care Plan Came From
The CDCP began as part of the Liberals’ supply-and-confidence deal with the NDP in 2022. In other words, it grew out of an agreement between two parties in Parliament.
To pay for it, the federal government has set aside $13 billion over five years, starting in 2023-2024. In addition, it has allocated $4.4 billion each year after that.
Who the Plan Is Meant to Help
The dental care plan aims to help uninsured Canadian residents with a household income under $90,000 a year. Its purpose is to remove the money barriers that keep people from oral health care. That matters most for people who have no dental insurance today.
Many working families fall into this gap. For example, some people work for small firms that offer no benefits. Others are self-employed, retired or between jobs.
Without coverage, many of these people put off checkups. Small problems can then grow into painful and costly ones. A basic cleaning or filling today can save a lot of money and pain later.
Who Can Apply to the Dental Care Plan
Here are the key rules for who can apply:
- Income: household income under $90,000 a year.
- No dental insurance: you must not have access to dental insurance.
- Residency and taxes: you must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes and have filed a tax return in the previous year.
- Other benefits: people who get dental benefits from other social programs, and who meet the rules, can also apply.
Rollout Timeline
The dental care plan opens in stages, so not everyone can apply at once:
- Phased applications: the process starts in December 2023 for seniors aged 87 and up. It then expands by age group until 2025, when it reaches all eligible residents.
- Online applications: starting June 2024, online applications open for people with a valid disability tax credit certificate and for children under 18.
Because the timeline has several steps, check the Government of Canada website to see when your group can apply.
Services the Dental Care Plan Covers
The plan covers a wide range of services. These include preventive, diagnostic, restorative, endodontic, prosthodontic, periodontal and oral surgery services.
However, some services will only become available in fall 2024. So if you need a specific treatment, ask your dental office what the plan covers today.
It also helps to keep good records. Save your tax return, your letters from the government and any receipts. That way, you can answer questions fast if your claim needs a second look.
Costs and Co-Payments
Dental offices will send claims straight to Sun Life. This direct process keeps out-of-pocket costs lower for patients.
Under the dental care plan, you pay part of the cost and the plan pays the rest. The co-payment you owe depends on your income bracket:
- Family net incomes between $70,000 and $79,000 have a 40% co-payment.
- Those between $80,000 and $89,000 have a 60% co-payment.
What It Means for Mississauga Families
The CDCP’s detailed structure and phased rollout aim to close the gap in oral health care for uninsured Canadians. It puts the focus on preventive and essential care, while it keeps costs within reach. Many expect it to have a major impact on the health and well-being of eligible Canadians.
For households in Mississauga, the plan can also ease the monthly budget. Dental bills can be large and hard to predict. So help with those costs leaves more room for rent, a mortgage or savings for a first home. If you qualify for the dental care plan, it makes sense to apply as soon as your group opens.
For more federal programs that affect family budgets, read my posts on the holiday GST/HST relief and the $250 cheque and the 2025 budget for Mississauga families.
Talk to a Mississauga real estate agent
Do you have questions about your family’s housing plans? I am happy to help. Call A. Q. Mufti, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage, at 416 908 5600, or send me a message. And if this post helped you, a Google Review is always appreciated.
