OTTAWA,
ON, May 1, 2024 /CNW/ - Starting today, the
first one million seniors who successfully applied to the Canadian
Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and have a May coverage start date in their
welcome package, can now receive the dental care they need.
Also as of today, potentially eligible people aged 65 and above
can now apply to the CDCP online, a new user-friendly tool designed
to help Canadians easily apply.
There are more than 6,500 oral health providers signed up to
participate and ready to provide services to CDCP patients. If
those eligible for services do not already have an oral health
provider, they can consult Sun Life's CDCP Provider Search to find
a dentist, dental hygienist, denturist or dental specialist in
their community.
When booking an appointment before July
8, 2024, CDCP patients should ask their oral health provider
if they are signed up to participate in the CDCP. Starting
July 8, CDCP patients will be able to
see any oral health provider of their choice, as long as the
provider agrees to direct bill Sun Life for services provided under
the plan. All providers will be able to direct bill Sun Life for
services provided on a claim-by-claim basis, without formally
signing up for the CDCP.
Before July 8, claims will only be
processed from a participating provider. If CDCP patients pay the
full costs themselves, they will not be reimbursed.
Depending on their household income, CDCP patients may have to
pay a co-payment, as well as additional charges depending on the
services received. Before receiving any services, CDCP patients
should confirm the amount that is not covered by the CDCP and that
they will need to pay directly to their provider.
The Government of Canada
continues to increase opportunities to access oral health services.
Later this month, Health Canada will launch the Oral Health Access
Fund (OHAF), which will further reduce barriers that prevent
Canadians from accessing oral health care, including in rural and
remote communities. The first Call for Proposals will support
projects submitted by oral health training institutions.
The CDCP is going to help make dental care more affordable for
up to nine million Canadians who currently do not have coverage.
Participating providers continue to support our collective efforts
to ensure that as many Canadians as possible receive the oral
health care services they need to stay healthy.
Quotes
"Today marks a significant milestone for all those who have been
eagerly waiting to receive services under the Canadian Dental Care
Plan. I am thrilled to know that people who have put off oral
health care because they couldn't afford it will begin to receive
essential dental care services and that they will be on the road to
better health. I thank every oral health provider who is preparing
to provide services to CDCP patients. This is a pivotal moment in
our country's history."
The Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
"The Canadian Dental Care Plan has seen significant uptake since
its launch in December, and now we are transitioning to online
applications. Our focus remains on ensuring seniors, and soon,
other groups, including persons with disabilities and children
under 18 have access to necessary oral health services. Eligibility
will continue to expand in the coming weeks and Service Canada is
well-equipped to provide seamless, quality client service."
The Honourable Terry Beech
Minister of Citizens' Services
"The first seniors who signed up for the Canadian Dental
Care Plan are now getting into dentists' chairs. This is big.
Because it's about more than treating toothaches and fitting new
dentures. It's about aging in good health. In dignity."
The Honourable Seamus O'Regan
Minister
for Seniors
"The first seniors who signed up for the Canadian Dental Care
Plan are now getting into dentists' chairs. This is big. Because
it's about more than treating toothaches and fitting new dentures.
It's about aging in good health. In dignity."
The Honourable Seamus O'Regan
Minister for
Seniors
"The Canadian Dental Care Plan is one of the most important
advances in Canadian health care thanks to the accessible and
affordable dental care it provides. The collaboration between the
Canadian government and oral health providers across the country is
making it possible for more than one million seniors to now receive
dental care. Today also marks the transition to online
registration, which will facilitate applications for those
eligible. Together with oral health providers, we are helping
Canadians access affordable dental care."
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Public Services and Procurement
"This is an important day for the Canadian Dental Care Plan and
for all the Canadians this plan will support. Sun Life is proud to
support expanded access to oral care for so many across the
country. We are committed to making this an easy process for
Canadians and providers alike."
Dave
Jones
President, Sun Life Health
Quick Facts
- Adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit Certificate and
children under the age of 18 will be able to apply to the CDCP
online, starting in June. The Canada Dental Benefit will continue
to support families with children under the age of 12 until
June 30, 2024.
- Budget 2023 announced an investment of $13 billion over five years, starting in 2023-24,
and $4.4 billion ongoing, to
implement the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
- Participation in the CDCP is done on a voluntary basis. Oral
health providers eligible to participate and who can bill for
services include:
- dentists
- denturists
- dental hygienists
- dental specialists
- Information on the coordination of benefits between the CDCP
and provincial, territorial and federal dental programs is
available on Canada.ca/dental.
Associated Link
- Canadian Dental Care Plan – Apply
SOURCE Health Canada (HC)