The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a government initiative that aims to provide comprehensive dental coverage for seniors in the country. The plan aims to help eligible seniors improve dental health care without financial difficulties.
This article outlines the essentials of the new dental care program, the services included in the coverage, the application dates for seniors, the eligibility requirements, and the cost of the government dental plan.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan for Seniors Explained
The new Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a $13 billion federal government program available to low-income Canadian residents without dental benefits. It isn’t a free dental program but a government dental benefit that eases financial barriers to oral health care access.
The CDCP started rolling out the applications in phases in December 2023, starting with seniors. The program is expected to cover around 9 million low and middle-income Canadians without private dental insurance. The coverage is set to start in May.
This is What the Canadian Dental Care Plan Covers
The CDCP will help cover a broad array of dental health care services that maintain the health of teeth and gums and prevent and treat issues and diseases related to oral health. Some of the services that CDCP covers include the following:
- Diagnostic and preventive services (dental exams, X-rays, cleaning/scaling, fluoride applications, sealants)
- Basic services
- Restorative services (permanent and temporary fillings, pain management for diseased teeth, other treatments for cavities)
- Endodontic services (root canal treatments, procedures for pain relief and reduction of infection, retreatment of previous root canal treatments)
- Periodontal services (deep scaling, abscess treatment, etc.)
- Restorative services (including tooth fillings)
- Prosthodontic services (including complete and partial removable dentures)
- Oral surgery services (including extractions)
- Diagnostic services (including examinations and X-rays)
- Orthodontic services (will only be covered in instances of medical need subject to stringent criteria, with a maximum spending limit)
Canadian Dental Care Plan Senior Application Dates
The following are the CDCP application dates for seniors:
- Seniors aged 87 and above – Started December 2023
- Seniors aged 77 to 86 – Started January 2024
- Seniors aged 72 to 76 – Started February 2024
- Seniors aged 70 to 71 – Started March 2024
- Seniors aged 65 to 69 – Starting May 2024
Seniors 70 and over will be receiving letters that include a personalized application code and instructions on how to apply. The personal application codes will expire on April 30, 2024.
The delivery of these letters to eligible seniors was set to be completed by the end of March 2024. The letters will be sent to addresses specified in the 2022 tax returns.
For seniors qualified to apply for CDCP starting in May 2024, online application instructions will be available later.
Seniors can also apply with the help of a trusted person (friend, relative, caregiver, translator, or interpreter).
Likewise, applications can be facilitated by a delegate who has the legal authority to represent a qualified senior, providing requisite trusteeship or powers of attorney documents.
You can check the online application here.
Eligibility for the Canadian Dental Care Plan
The following are the eligibility requirements for CDCP:
- Your adjusted family net income is less than $90,000
- You don’t have access to dental insurance
- You’re a Canadian resident for tax purposes
- You have filed your tax return in the previous year
You must meet all of the above-mentioned criteria to qualify for the program. If you have existing dental coverage through other social programs, these will be coordinated to avoid duplication or gaps in your coverage.
Cost of the Dental Plan for Seniors
As mentioned, CDCP is not a free dental care program. It will reimburse a percentage of the cost based on the program’s established fees and your adjusted family net income.
You may have to pay out-of-pocket for services and fees directly to your provider under the following circumstances:
- Your adjusted family net income is between $70,000 and $89,999
- The cost of your dental health care services exceeds the established CDCP fees
- You and your oral health care provider decide to undertake treatment or services not covered by the CDCP
Below is the co-payment structure based on your adjusted family net income.
- Lower than $70,000
- CDCP coverage: 100% of eligible dental care costs at the CDCP established fees
- How much you’ll cover: 0% of CDCP’s established fees
- Between $70,000 and $79,999
- CDCP coverage: 60% of eligible dental care costs at the CDCP-established fees
- How much you’ll cover: 40% of CDCP’s established fees
- Between $80,000 and $89,999
- CDCP coverage: 40% of eligible dental care costs at the CDCP-established fees
- How much you’ll cover: 60% of CDCP’s established fees
While CDCP has established its fees, some oral health care providers may charge higher rates, resulting in higher payments for patients. Before receiving oral health care service, it’s crucial to always ask your dental care provider about any costs that may not be covered by the CDCP.
Related: Can You Stop CPP Payments After You Start?
