Expansion of Canada Dental Care Plan to those 18 to 64.Anthony Housefather

Dear Friends,

This morning our Government announced the expansion of the Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP) to eligible Canadian residents aged 18-64.

There are already more than 3.4 Million members of CDCP, and over 1.7 Million CDCP members who have received care so far. With this expansion, the CDCP will help reach another estimated 4.5 Million eligible Canadian residents. In all, the CDCP will help up to 9 Million Canadians access affordable oral health care.

Applications will open by age group:

• May 1: 55 to 64 years old
• May 15: 18 to 34 years old
• May 29: 35 to 54 years old

To qualify for the CDCP, applicants must:

• Not have access to dental insurance.
• Have filed their individual 2024 tax return in Canada (and their spouse’s or common-law partner’s, if applicable)
• Have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000
• Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes
• As with previous cohorts, eligible Canadians will be able to apply online, by phone, or by visiting a Service Canada Centre.

The renewal process for all current CDCP members has begun. From March 2025 onward, current CDCP members must take action to renew their coverage under the plan. CDCP members must have filed their 2024 tax return and received their 2024 Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency before renewing their coverage at canada.ca/dental, in My Service Canada Account (MSCA) or by telephone.

Why is the CDCP Important for Canadians?

• CDCP patients have saved on average $870 each.
• An estimated 1% of visits to ER each year are related to poor oral health, costing roughly $1.8 Billion dollars. If CDCP can reduce Canadians visiting the ER by 1%, imagine the impact that will have on health care resources and on wait times for Canadians.
• CDCP is also helping with preventative healthcare. Stories of oral cancers being caught in unknowing CDCP patients are already being reported by providers delivering care under the program.

Best

Anthony