This past December, the federal government unveiled its new Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which will launch in the spring of 2024. It’s generated a lot of excitement from Canadians, particularly those without insurance. But what is the CDCP, and who is eligible? Let’s take a look.

What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a $13 billion insurance program from the Canadian federal government. It covers most basic dentistry for uninsured Canadians with a household income under $90,000 — about 9 million Canadians.

The CDCP is set to roll out in the spring of 2024 in stages, with seniors over the age of 87 being the first group covered. Other age groups will then be eligible to apply in a staggered manner. All Canadians over the age of 18 should be eligible sometime in 2025.

Who Qualifies for CDCP?

Individuals wishing to apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan have to meet the following criteria:

• Have a net family income of less than $90,000
• Be a Canadian resident
• Have filed taxes in the previous year
• No access to dental insurance through employer or private insurance

All eligible Canadians should receive a letter from the federal government inviting them to apply. Patients who decide to opt out of the benefits will be considered as having access to dental care. If residents are using a provincial social program for their dental care, they are still eligible for the CDCP.

Is the Income Cut-off Before or After Taxes?

To apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, patients must have an adjusted family net income of $90,000 or less. This is not the same as family net income that is found on line 23600 on your tax return.

To find your adjusted family net income, you need to deduct any income from universal child care benefits (UCCB) and registered disability savings plans (RDSP) from your family’s net income. These amounts can be found on lines 11700 and 12500 on your tax return.

You then need to add any repaid RDSP and UCCB amounts to that total, found on lines 21300 and 23200 of your tax return. This total is your adjusted family net income and is used as the eligibility factor for the CDCP.

Please contact a tax professional if you have questions regarding any of the above.

What Services are Covered by the CDCP?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan will cover the costs of a range of oral healthcare services, focusing mainly on necessary procedures rather than cosmetics.

Services covered by the CDCP include:

• Diagnostics, like exams and X-rays
• Preventative services, like cleaning and polishing
• Restorative services, like fillings and dentures
• Oral surgeries, including extractions
• Endodontic services, including root canals
• Periodontal services, like deep scaling
• Prosthodontic services, including partial and complete dentures

Services like whitening, mouth guards, and implants will not be covered under the plan.

How Much Does the CDCP Cover?

Not all patients will have 100% of their procedures covered. Many can expect to pay a percentage out of pocket. The required copay is determined by the patient’s annual family income.

Under $70,000: No copayment is required, but some additional charges may apply

$70,000 – $79,999: A 40% copayment is required

$80,000 – $89,999: A 60% copayment is required

On top of copayments, patients may also have to pay additional charges. These charges can occur when the CDCP rate is lower than what the dentist is charging. Health Canada has encouraged all dentists to bill according to the CDCP rates, but dentists still have the final say on pricing.

Can You Use Your Regular Dentist?

Provided they have enrolled in the CDCP program, you can still use your same dentist. The government has tried to make it as accessible as possible for dentists to enroll and for patients to take advantage of the Canadian Dental Care Program.

Health Canada has said that as of March 11, 2024, oral health providers will be able to enter an agreement with Sun Life Insurance to join the CDCP. It may take some time before all providers have joined, but the government is set to launch an awareness campaign to educate oral health providers about the program.

When Can Patients Apply?

Applications for the Canadian Dental Care Plan are already open. If you are over 70 years old, you should receive a letter by the end of March letting you know that you can join the CDCP. Starting in May, patients between 65 and 69 can apply online.

People with disabilities and children under 18 can expect to apply starting in June 2024, with eligible Canadians between the ages of 18 and 65 being able to apply in 2025.

Midland Bay Dental: Your Trusted Community Dentists

Whether you’re part of the Canadian Dental Care Plan or not, we’re here to help with all your oral hygiene needs. We believe your smile is your signature, and it deserves the best care available. Midland Bay Dental is your ultimate destination for achieving a stunning smile through the art of cosmetic dentistry.

At Midland Bay Dental, we’ve been a welcoming destination for dental services in the Midland, Ontario, area since 1974. We pride ourselves on providing expert dental care for the whole family. We provide regular cleaning and checkups as well as more intensive procedures like tooth replacement, teeth bonding/veneers or teeth whitening.

If you are looking for a trusted family dentist, contact Midland Bay Dental to book an appointment online or call us at (705) 526-6441.

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