Over a million Canadians receive dental care, as expanded services and paper claims improve access
At Clinique dentaire Ville-Marie, the Steven Guilbeault, minister of Environment and Climate Change, along with Rachel Bendayan, member of Parliament for Outremont, announced that over one million Canadians have received care through the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Additionally, more than 2.7 million Canadians have been approved for participation in the plan, broadening access to essential oral health services across the country.
Through the Canadian Dental Care Plan, Canadians have saved an average of $730 on a range of oral health services, from routine cleanings to crucial disease screenings, including oral cancer checks.
Starting November 1, the plan will expand its service offerings, allowing more Canadians to access necessary treatments.
The plan will also begin accepting requests for preauthorization, which will enable patients to receive services such as partial dentures, crowns, and other treatments for complex or high-need cases.
These requests will undergo detailed assessments on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the recommended treatment meets the clinical criteria for coverage under the plan.
In a shift towards inclusivity, the Canadian Dental Care Plan will start processing paper claim submissions, expanding beyond the electronic claim submissions that began in May 2024.
This change is intended to make the plan accessible to more providers who only use paper claims, ensuring a broader reach for Canadians in need.
Currently, 22,340 oral health providers, or 89 percent of active oral health providers, are delivering care to Canadians covered by the plan. These providers play a crucial role in improving access to oral health services nationwide.
Health Canada has worked closely with oral health providers, holding consultations, and establishing working groups to streamline the preauthorization process.
The department remains dedicated to collaborating with providers across the country to ensure the effective implementation of these processes.
“In just six months, more than one million Canadians have received care through the Canadian Dental Care Plan,” said the Mark Holland, minister of Health.
He emphasized that “89 percent of oral health providers are already delivering care through the Canadian Dental Care Plan,” and with the addition of expanded services and paper claims, “even more Canadians will access better, more affordable health.”
Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, expressed pride in the milestone. He said, “Let’s continue working together so that all Canadians can smile with confidence.”
Jean-Yves Duclos, minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, said, “No one should have to decide between going to a dentist or paying their bills.”
Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens’ Services, noted the significance of the milestone, stating, “Over one million Canadians receiving dental care in just six months highlights the necessity of this program.”
He encouraged eligible Canadians to “visit Canada.ca/dental” and “join the millions...already benefiting.”
