Canadian dental-care program hits 1 million patients within first six months

A million Canadians have received care under the federal dental-care plan six months after the program began.

Starting on Friday, the program will also cover more complex procedures. 

That means people who have coverage under the federal program can request pre-authorization for things like crowns and the initial placement of partial dentures, as well as what the program deems high-need or complex conditions. 

Paper claims will also be accepted, something federal Health Minister Mark Holland said will mean that more dentists and oral care providers are eligible to work under the program. 

Each request will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to see if the treatment recommended by the oral health practitioner meets the clinical criteria for coverage under the Canadian Dental Care Plan.

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault held a press conference at Clinique dentaire Ville-Marie alongside Outremoont Parliament member Rachel Bendayan to make the announcement.

“Today, we celebrate an important milestone with over one million Canadians having received dental care through the Canadian Dental Care Plan,” said Guilbeault. “In my riding of Laurier—Sainte-Marie, many people now have access to essential dental care they deserve. I am especially proud to announce this milestone in a local dental clinic, Clinique dentaire Ville-Marie. Let’s continue working together so that all Canadians can smile with confidence.”

The Canadian Dental Care Plan also saves $730 on average for Canadians through a wide range of oral health care services, from cleanings to screenings for diseases like oral cancer.

Once these expansions are up and running, Holland said the government is on track to begin expanding who can get coverage under the program next year. 

“We haven’t set on the exact date, that’s obviously still being figured out. We are obviously tracking very closely how pre-authorization and paper claims go. But early in 2025 is when we’re looking to expand to additional cohorts,” Holland said. 

The program is currently available for seniors, adults on the federal disability tax credit and children under 18. Currently, 2.7 million Canadians are registered to receive care under the program. 

Holland said the goal is to expand the eligibility as quickly as possible. 

“We are absolutely committed in 2025, as fast as possible, to expand this to all Canadians.”

More than 22,340 (89 per cent) of oral health providers in the country are providing some form of care under the program, according to Holland. 

-With files from The Canadian Press