Dentists know what makes a good dental care program
November 15, 2023 – Dentists across the country share a common goal: to promote optimal dental and oral health for all Canadians. The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is an historic opportunity to give all people in Canada increased access to dental
care. If done right, the CDCP could be one of Canada’s greatest achievements in public health.
As the experts in oral health – and the healthcare providers who deliver dental care – we know what a good dental program should
look like, and we want to help the federal government make the CDCP a success.
That is why dental associations across Canada came together to develop A Proposed Framework for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. It is a comprehensive and actionable
framework for a strong dental and oral health care program based on data, research, and input from dental experts.
Two-thirds of Canadians already enjoy world-class dental care, but some people must make difficult choices between their dental health and other important expenses. The CDCP is meant to help the latter group – providing dental care for those who don’t have insurance through their work, school, or other group coverage.
If employers start cutting or ending dental care benefits for their employees, it puts the whole program – and your oral health – at risk:
Patients accessing care under the CDCP should be able to get the dental care they need, when they need it – the same way people with workplace benefits do. This means the CDCP should allow patients to make decisions about their care in partnership with their dentist. It should also have easy enrollment or registration, a quick claims process, and minimal paperwork.
Most dental offices have electronic systems to submit claims and payments between patients, dentists, and insurance companies. Most people do not have to fill out forms and wait for the government to approve their care before they can receive it. An accessible public dental care program should operate in the same way.
There are already serious shortages of dental hygienists and dental assistants across Canada. The CDCP will dramatically increase staffing demands in dental practices. Without enough of these skilled professionals, you could face delays in getting the dental care you need.
Until the federal government can deliver a strong CDCP, we recommend at least a temporary expansion of an initiative that is already working for Canadians – the Canada Dental Benefit. This is a fixed dollar amount that a patient can use to be reimbursed for dental-related expenses. Nearly nine out of 10 Canadians support the Canada Dental Benefit, and public surveys suggest that most would support an oral health spending account as a permanent solution.
The dentists of Canada want to champion a CDCP that will respect patients, providers, and taxpayers. We all deserve a plan that works.
Please read the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information on the CDCP.
Read the full technical submission by the dentists of Canada.
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For those who have a household income of less than $70,000 a year, costs will be fully covered.
In the federal budget for 2023, the estimated cost of the CDCP has been adjusted to $13 billion over five years, an increase from initial estimate of $5.3 billion when the program was first announced. Additionally, $4.4 billion of ongoing costs to Health Canada for implementation is budgeted.
The MDA and other dental associations across Canada are concerned about a lack of meaningful consultation with the provincial and territorial dental associations when our member dentists are expected to deliver on the government’s promises. Dentists are the experts and can give the insight needed to make sure people get the care they need, and taxpayer money will be used wisely.
While the CDCP is being developed, the government announced the Canada Dental Benefit as a first stage of its plan to deliver dental coverage for children.
We don’t know and this should concern us all. Two-thirds of Canadians have great dental benefits from their work, school, or other group plan. These plans give them a choice of dentist, and the right to choose what dental care they get.
Dentists believe that the CDCP should improve access to care for people who don’t have benefits. It shouldn’t take away the benefits that people already have.
A recent study showed that the majority of the public would not support a federal dental plan if it meant they would lose their dental benefits. This is why we need the federal government to tell us what they are planning to do to protect your existing dental insurance.
Payments are administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The CRA will use adjusted income to determine eligibility and the amount of benefit you’ll receive. You must have filed the previous year’s taxes to be eligible.
The benefit will provide:
The CDB is only available for two periods. The first benefit period covered dental care your eligible child received between October 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. The second benefit period runs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
You can apply to get the payment for each period per eligible child to a maximum of two payments provided you incur out-of-pocket expenses for dental care in each period. Applications for the second benefit period are open until June 30, 2024. To access the second benefit period, you must meet the following criteria:
You have out-of-pocket expenses for your child’s dental care services incurred in Canada between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, for which the costs have not been fully covered under another federal, provincial or territorial government program.
When applying, you should have the following information close by as you will be required to provide:
If you apply online and are signed up for direct deposit, you could receive your payment within five business days. If you are unable to apply online, you can call a new dedicated phone line at 1-800-715-8836 to complete your application with an agent.
Once you receive the benefit, you must use it to pay for dental services. If the services in that year cost less than the total benefit amount, the CRA expects you to spend it on the child’s oral health needs in lieu of returning any unused money.
Manitoba Dental Association
202 - 1735 Corydon Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba | R3N 0K4
Phone: (204) 988-5300
Fax: (204) 988-5310
Email: [email protected]
Hours
Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Holidays: Closed