The federal government implemented a new wave of dental coverage for low-income seniors in 2023, called Canada Dental Care Plan, building on the Canadian Dental Benefit program introduced the previous year that targeted children under 12 in low-income families. The Canada Dental Care Plan was part of an agreement struck between the minority Liberal government with the New Democratic Party (NDP). Eligibility criteria for coverage of a suite of preventive and treatment oral health services include
- not having dental coverage;
- family net income lower than CAD 90 000 per year,
- Canadian resident, and
- filed taxes in the past year.
The Canadian Dental Benefit for children was a tax-free benefit program (funds provided directly to individuals), while the Canada Dental Care Plan is an insurance coverage program that pays dental care providers directly using a national fee schedule. This latest expansion places the government on track to fulfilling the agreement to cover all eligible low-income households by 2025.