The federal government’s new Canadian Dental Care Plan is an important step forward, according to Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph’s medical officer of health Dr. Nicola Mercer.
The Canadian dental care plan is a federal government program aimed at helping low income residents afford dental care.
People can be eligible if they don’t have their own insurance, have an adjusted net family income of below $90,000, are a Canadian resident, and filed a tax return the previous year.
It operates on a sliding scale, offering up to 80 per cent coverage depending on the person.
Most importantly, Mercer said it will “allow people who have previously not had access to dental care to now be able to access it at a more affordable rate.”
It’s being rolled out in steps. Currently, those 65 years or up can apply. At the end of June, children under 18 and those with a disability tax credit will be eligible to apply, and all other eligible groups can apply in 2025.
Those eligible for the program can go directly to any dentist currently accepting the plan for care.
“You will have to pay something… but it will be significantly less than what it was previously,” she said during Wednesday’s board of health meeting. Payment will likely have to be up front.
“However, it's still a bonus that you didn't have before and significant, especially for low income Canadians to afford dental care.”
Families or individuals who live at or below the poverty line can access public health programs like Healthy Smiles Ontario or the seniors dental program.
“These plans and public health runs are for the lowest income Canadians, and many people actually haven't been able to qualify because they're just outside the lowest income numbers that we use,” she said. “And those individuals will now qualify for the … plan for up to 80 per cent of their treatment to be covered.”
She said the enrolment process has just begun, and to expect more local dentists to accept the CDC over the course of the summer.
