The federal government hopes to avoid gumming up the works of its new dental-insurance plan by gradually phasing in enrolment over the course of the next year, Health Minister Mark Holland said Monday.
Seniors over the age of 87 will be the first cohort to be able to apply to join a new federal dental-insurance plan.
It will be slowly expanded over the course of 2024 to include all qualifying seniors, children under the age of 18 and people with disabilities.
With our new Canadian Dental Care Plan, we’re making dental care more affordable and accessible for up to nine million Canadians who don’t have insurance. Applications open later this month – starting with seniors who are 87 and older. Find out more here: https://t.co/MYQvgJJ0rj
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 11, 2023
Holland announced the rollout of the program, which is currently budgeted to cost $13 billion over the next five years, at a news conference at a dental clinic at Algonquin College in Ottawa.
The program is aimed at people with an annual household income under $90,000 who don't have access to private insurance.
"Far too many people have avoided getting the care that they need simply because it was too expensive, and that’s why this plan is essential," Holland said. As many as nine million Canadians lack private coverage, he added.
There has been "enormous additional cost" to the health system — to say nothing of a person's own dignity — when people have to wait until their oral health is so dire that they have to get treatment at the emergency room, Holland said.
"We know we can do better."
Great news! We announced the #CanadianDentalCarePlan.
— Mark Holland (@markhollandlib) December 11, 2023
This is a truly transformative day for our country—this plan will help up to 9 million Canadians get the essential oral health care they need.
Watch ⬇️ to find out more. pic.twitter.com/ZL7gjNmCp2
Coverage will include preventive, diagnostic, restorative and surgical services — including X-rays, fillings, root canal treatments and dentures, among others, he said.
Once eligibility is expanded to all qualifying Canadian residents in 2025, it will be the government's largest social program.
"This is a proud moment, I think for all Canadians, in expanding what is the definition of health care in Canada," said Holland.
The insurance plan is a key pillar in the Liberal's supply-and-confidence deal with the New Democrats to secure the opposition party's support on key votes.
The NDP lauded the news in a statement Monday, styling the plan as "the NDP national dental care program."
#BREAKING
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) December 11, 2023
The NDP Dental Care Plan has officially been announced!
Now, Canadians who couldn’t access dental care before will be able to visit a dentist, without the price tag.
Text #NDPDental to 613-801-8210 and I’ll send you more information on our plan and how to apply. pic.twitter.com/pOUDV0bJ5O
