Last December, the federal government launched the Canadian Dental Care Plan, with the goal of making oral health care more affordable for those who do not have dental insurance. (Photo 156766498 © Piotr Adamowicz | Dreamstime.com)

By Joel Mendelson

Federal government outlines dental care plan

Feb 8, 2024 | 11:45 AM

OTTAWA, ON – In 2022, one in four Canadians reported that they avoided visiting an oral health professional due to the cost, while one third of the people do not have dental insurance.

Last December, the federal government launched the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), with the goal of making oral health care more affordable for those who do not have dental insurance (up to nine million Canadians).

The Government of Canada announced details about what will be covered under the CDCP, including services that keep your teeth and gums healthy and those that prevent and treat oral health care issues and diseases.

Examples of services include:

• Preventative services
• Diagnostic services
• Restorative services
• Endodontic services
• Prosthodontic services
• Periodontal services

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The majority of these services are expected to be available as of May 2024.

The government is also going to be making the 2023 CDCP established fees to inform providers ahead of the release of the 2024 fees.

Services covered under the plan will be compensated at the 2024 rate when they start being offered. The CDCP will reimburse a percentage of the cost based on established CDCP fees, which are not the same as the provincial or territorial suggested fee guides.

Those covered under the CDCP may have to pay an outstanding amount for a co-payment or additional charges, which would be paid to their oral health provider.

CDCP fees will be released yearly to account for inflation, cost changes and new evidence.

The government said that the support and participation of oral health care providers are essential to the success of the program.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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