Canadian Dental Care Plan reaches one million people and launches expansion of services

As of November 1st, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has officially reached over one million people, allowing them to access dental services at a lower cost. 

Currently, the CDCP is only available to seniors aged 65 and over, children under the age of 18 and adults with a valid federal Disability Tax Credit certificate.

The CDCP is saving Canadians over $730 on their dental bills on services ranging from cleanings to life-saving screenings for diseases like oral cancer.

In parallel with this milestone of reaching over one million people, the federal government announced the CDCP’s services will be expanding. 

“In just six months, more than one million Canadians have received care through the Canadian Dental Care Plan,” said Mark Holland, Minister of Health. 

“That is one million stories of Canadians getting dental care for a healthier, better life.” 

From this point on, the CDCP will begin accepting requests for services that require preauthorization.

What this means is that on a case-by-case basis, patients will be able to request services when the need is particularly high or for a complex condition. 

If the treatment recommended by the oral health practitioner meets the clinical criteria for coverage under the CDCP, more funding may be available to help save Canadians money on their dental bills.

Additionally, it will be possible for patients to receive an expanded range of services, such as the initial placement of partial dentures or crowns, and practitioners will be able to submit paper claims as well as electronic ones. 

According to the Canadian government, more than 22,340 oral health providers across the country (89%) are providing care to Canadians covered under the plan.

When fully rolled out, the CDCP will be available to all Canadians without dental benefits.