The Canadian Dental Care Plan at Dr. Sajan’s Victoria BC Dental Clinic

We at Teeth and Company by Dr Sajan are very exited about this new Federal Program to help Canadians fund their oral health care. We recognize the financial barriers to care and are excited that we will soon be able to provide care for people who previously could not access it. Although we do not have all the details for the program, we are optimistic that it will be funded and supported in a way that will be beneficial to all Canadians.

February 2024 Update

New information was released that lets us know that the funding for this plan will NOT allow for “Free Dentistry In Canada”. The plan will cover 60-80% of the cost of treatment, and the remainder will be billed to patients. Although we do not have the final breakdown of coverage yet from the Federal Government of Canada, current data shows that the average hygiene appointment will cost a patient $20-40 out of pocket. A new patient exam will have a patient portion of anywhere between $75 and $150, and fillings will have a patient portion of $20-$75 depending on the tooth and size of filling required. Root canals will have a patient balance of anywhere between $200 and $500, in addition to the patient portion required for a filling.

This new information lets us know that the although the Canadian Dental Care Plan does not deliver “Free Dentistry”, it does reduce the cost for patients that do not have access to private insurance plans, which will make access to dentistry a lot easier for many Canadians. Since this is the very early stages of the plan, and not all information has been released yet, we hope that this program will grow and find ways to help all Canadians.

May 2024 Update

The Canadian Dental Care Plan has rolled out, but there are still some unanswered questions in regards to how to plan will be run. There is no longer a requirement for dental offices to sign an agreement with the Federal Government of Canada to provide services to patients under the Canadian Dental Care Plan, putting it in line with other insurance plans. However, there are some items that have not been worked out yet. At Teeth and Company By Dr Sajan, we have decided to wait until July to be a part of the program. This allows us some time to see how the program is being rolled out and implemented, and allow the system to work out any issues that may arise with the hastily put together program. We look forward to being a part of this historic plan, but we want to make sure that it is done in a way that causes the least amount of issues and inconveniences to our patients.

Canadian Dental Care Plan

The Canadian Dental Care Plan will provide financial support for oral health care for eligible Canadians with funding through the Federal Government.   

Eligibility requirements for the Canadian Dental Care Plan include not having access to private dental insurance, a family net income of less than $90,000, being a Canadian resident, and having filed your taxes the previous year.  You may still apply for the program if you have oral health care funding through provincial or federal social programs. 

Applications will start with seniors above the age of 77 starting January 2024.  Seniors above the age of 72 can apply in February, above the age of 70 starting in March, and above the age of 65 starting in May.  Children and those with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate can start applying in June 2024.  All other eligible Canadians can start applying in 2025. 

Information on what will be covered has not yet been released.  There is information suggesting that there will be coverage for scaling, polishing, fluoride, examinations, and X-rays.  There should also be coverage for fillings, root canals, dentures, and extractions. 

There will be a co-pay required of eligible people if their family income is above $70,000.  Between $70,000 and $79,999, eligible people will need to pay 40% of the cost of the service.  Between $80,000 and $89,999, eligible people will need to pay 60% of the cost of the service.

For more information please visit the Canada Dental Care Plan website at https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html