Close X
Friday, November 1, 2024
ADVT 
National

Dental-care program hits 1 million patients in first six months, coverage expands

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 31 Oct, 2024 09:43 AM
  • Dental-care program hits 1 million patients in first six months, coverage expands

A million Canadians have received care under the federal dental-care plan six months after the program began, Health Minister Mark Holland said Thursday. 

Starting on Friday, the program will also cover more complex procedures. 

That means people who have coverage under the federal program can request pre-authorization for things like crowns and the initial placement of partial dentures, as well as what the program deems high-need or complex conditions. 

Paper claims will also be accepted, something Holland said will mean that more dentists and oral care providers are eligible to work under the program. 

Once these expansions are up and running, Holland said the government is on track to begin expanding who can get coverage under the program next year. 

"We haven't set on the exact date, that's obviously still being figured out. We are obviously tracking very closely how pre-authorization and paper claims go. But early in 2025 is when we're looking to expand to additional cohorts," Holland said. 

The program is currently available for seniors, adults on the federal disability tax credit and children under 18. Currently, 2.7 million Canadians are registered to receive care under the program. 

Holland said the goal is to expand the eligibility as quickly as possible. 

"We are absolutely committed in 2025, as fast as possible, to expand this to all Canadians."

Eighty-nine per cent of oral health providers in the country are providing some form of care under the program, according to Holland. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Jump in home sales in September

Jump in home sales in September
The Canadian Real Estate Association says home sales climbed 1.9 per cent on a month-over-month basis in September, reaching their highest level since July 2023. The national increase was led by Greater Vancouver and Victoria, as well as the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton-Burlington, Montreal and Quebec City. 

Jump in home sales in September

Harpreet Singh gets 10 years in tripple stabbing

Harpreet Singh gets 10 years in tripple stabbing
Harpreet Singh has been sentenced to 10 years in prison -- minus the six-years in credit for time already served in custody -- for manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault following the knife attack at a Surrey townhouse.

Harpreet Singh gets 10 years in tripple stabbing

Eby makes late pitch to people who have never voted New Democrat in B.C

Eby makes late pitch to people who have never voted New Democrat in B.C
Eby says there hasn't been an election as significant "for a generation," on the day the rival B.C. Conservative Party is poised to release its costed platform and just four days before election day on Saturday. Elections BC says about 597,000 people have already voted in four days of advance polling.

Eby makes late pitch to people who have never voted New Democrat in B.C

Founders of Vancouver club that sold tested illicit drugs file Charter challenge

Founders of Vancouver club that sold tested illicit drugs file Charter challenge
The founders of a Vancouver "compassion club" that sold heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine bought on the dark web and tested for contaminants, have filed a court challenge arguing their Charter rights and the rights of users were violated when the club was shut and they were arrested. 

Founders of Vancouver club that sold tested illicit drugs file Charter challenge

Canada and U.S. list Samidoun as terrorist group, U.S. adds Canadian to terror list

Canada and U.S. list Samidoun as terrorist group, U.S. adds Canadian to terror list
Canada is listing the pro-Palestinian group Samidoun as a terrorist group, while the U.S. has added a Canadian citizen affiliated with the organization to its counter-terrorism list. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc says Samidoun will now be listed under Criminal Code offences that ban people from donating or providing property to the group.

Canada and U.S. list Samidoun as terrorist group, U.S. adds Canadian to terror list

Why India and Canada are in an escalating rift, with each expelling diplomats

Why India and Canada are in an escalating rift, with each expelling diplomats
Ottawa's decision to expel India's top envoy and five other diplomats have given rise to greater tensions that have simmered for months between the two countries with Sikh groups calling for Indian consulates to be shut down in Vancouver and Toronto. 

Why India and Canada are in an escalating rift, with each expelling diplomats