Ottawa’s $13-billion dental plan to be slowly phased in through 2024

Canada’s new federal dental insurance plan will be gradually phased in throughout the coming year, with the first claims expected to be processed in May.

The federal government announced details of the plan on Monday, saying it will ease financial barriers for up to nine million uninsured Canadians with family incomes under $90,000.

The plan will cover preventative care including dental cleaning, as well as exams, X-rays, fillings, dentures and root canal treatments. The plan will be regularly reviewed, the government added, in order to ensure it meets the needs of Canadians.

According to the federal government, one in four Canadians reported avoiding dental care in 2022 due to the cost.

The first to be eligible will be seniors aged 87 and above, and the plan will expand to those aged 77 to 86 in January. Those aged 72 to 76 will become eligible the following month, and those 70 to 71 will be added in March.

“Individuals in these age groups who may be eligible will receive letters inviting them to apply, with instructions on how to validate their eligibility and apply by telephone,” the federal government said in a release.

“In May 2024, applications will shift to an online portal and will open for eligible seniors 65 and older. Persons with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and children under the age of 18 will be able to apply online starting June 2024.”

All remaining eligible Canadians will be able to apply online starting in 2025, the government added.

Mark Holland, Canada’s health minister, said the plan will be “transformative” for the nation.

“It will significantly improve health outcomes, reduce a burden on our health-care system, and build a foundation of equity by expanding access to oral health care for the millions of Canadians that currently do not have access to this critical care,” Holland said in a statement.

“The Government of Canada is making life more affordable by helping families and their loved ones.”

The plan – which is expected to cost $13 billion over five years – comes as part of the Liberal government’s supply and confidence agreement with Jagmeet Singh’s NDP. In exchange for introducing the dental plan and other provisions, the NDP is supporting the Trudeau government in confidence motions and other key votes.

– With files from The Canadian Press