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The federal government is seeking the private sector's input on its national dental care program until August 22, 2022 (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Government of Canada seeks input from industry on its national dental program

Jul 25, 2022 | 3:24 PM

OTTAWA, ON – The federal government is seeking input from the private sector from now until August 22, 2022 for its proposed national dental care program.

In the Budget 2022, the Government of Canada committed $5.3 billion over the next five years to provide dental care for an estimated seven to nine million Canadians who are unable to access proper dental care due to costs.

The government estimates that roughly one third of Canadians don’t have dental insurance. The federal government expects to have the first phase of the plan finalized by the end of 2022, which would ensure Canadians under 12 years old have dental coverage.

Health Canada issued a Request for Information (RFI) in order to seek industry input on the roles they could play in the national dental care program.

The dental care program is a key promise the Liberals made in order to maintain its confidence and supply deal with the NDP to prevent an election from being called before June 2025.

In an email statement, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says engagement with industry is important in informing the Government’s decisions on how it will proceed with the program.