Plan expands access to oral health care by launching additional services and paper claims
MONTRÉAL, Nov. 1, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, at Clinique dentaire Ville-Marie, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, accompanied by Rachel Bendayan, Member of Parliament for Outremont, announced that more than one million Canadians have received care under the Canadian Dental Care Plan and more than 2.7 million Canadians have been approved to be part of the plan.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is saving Canadians on average more than $730 through a wide range of oral health care services, from cleanings to life-saving screenings for diseases like oral cancer.
Starting November 1, the Canadian Dental Care Plan will expand to include more services, so that even more Canadians across the country are able to receive the care that they need. The Canadian Dental Care Plan will begin accepting requests for services that require preauthorization. This will mean that it will be possible for patients to receive services, such as the initial placement of partial dentures or crowns, as well as requests for services when a Canadian Dental Care Plan patient has a particularly high need or complex condition. Each request will be assessed thoroughly on a case-by-case basis to see if the course of treatment recommended by the oral health practitioner meets the clinical criteria for coverage under the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan will also begin accepting paper claim submissions for services covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan. While most providers have been able to submit claims electronically since May 2024, providers who only work with paper claims will now also submit claims for their services. This is an important step to provide greater access to care for more Canadians.
More than 22,340 oral health providers nationwide, or 89 percent of active oral health providers are providing care to Canadians covered under the plan and have been crucial to the success of the Canadian Dental Care Plan in improving access to oral health care in Canada.
Thanks to consultations and established working groups, Health Canada has worked continuously with oral health providers to make the preauthorization process as seamless as possible for providers and their staff. Health Canada remains committed to working with providers across the country, so these processes are implemented smoothly.
For more information, visit Canada.ca/dental.
Quotes
"In just six months, more than one million Canadians have received care through the Canadian Dental Care Plan. That is one million stories of Canadians getting dental care for a healthier, better life. 89 percent of oral health providers are already delivering care though the Canadian Dental Care Plan, and now with expanded services and paper claims, even more Canadians will access better, more affordable health."
– The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health
"Today, we celebrate an important milestone with over one million Canadians having received dental care through the Canadian Dental Care Plan. In my riding of Laurier—Sainte-Marie, many people now have access to essential dental care they deserve. I am especially proud to announce this milestone in a local dental clinic, Clinique dentaire Ville-Marie. Let's continue working together so that all Canadians can smile with confidence."
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
"Over one million Canadians have now been able to visit a dentist and access the oral health care they need and deserve, thanks to the Canadian Dental Care Plan. This is a transformative program that is making a difference in the lives of Canadians. In Quebec and across the country, no one should have to decide between going to a dentist or paying their bills. We can all celebrate this milestone and look forward to more Canadians getting the smile they deserve."
–The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant
"Reaching an incredible milestone of over one million Canadians receiving dental care in just six months through the Canadian Dental Care Plan highlights the necessity of this program. Many families who once faced barriers to affordable dental care are now accessing the treatments they need. If you're eligible and haven't signed up, we urge you to visit Canada.ca/dental. Join the millions of Canadians already benefiting from this vital program!"
–The Honourable Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens' Services
Quick facts
- Once fully implemented, the Canadian Dental Care Plan will help make oral health care more affordable for up to nine million Canadian residents who do not currently have access to dental insurance.
- Eligible Canadians who successfully apply to the Canadian Dental Care Plan will receive a welcome package, which will include their coverage start date (benefit effective date). This date is found in their welcome letter, rather than on their Canadian Dental Care Plan member card.
- Oral health providers are invited to consult the updated Canadian Dental Care Plan Dental Benefits Guide to review the supporting documentation necessary for services that require preauthorization and related policies and guidelines.
- People covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan may have to pay additional charges in addition to their co-payment, if applicable, depending on the services received and the cost of the treatment.
- Preauthorization requests must be submitted by the provider directly to Sun Life, along with supporting documentation and justifications, as outlined in the Canadian Dental Care Plan Dental Benefits Guide.
- Online applications are currently open for seniors aged 65 and above, adults with a valid federal Disability Tax Credit certificate for 2023, and parents or guardians with children under 18. Applications for all remaining eligible Canadians will begin in 2025.
- Canadian Dental Care Plan Statistics on the number of eligible applicants, eligible applicants who received care, and oral health providers participating in the Canadian Dental Care Plan can be found online.
Related products
Associated links
- Canadian Dental Care Plan – Apply
- Canadian Dental Care Plan for Oral Health Providers
- Canadian Dental Care Plan Provider Search Tool
- Canadian Dental Care Plan Key Statistics
Environment and Climate Change Canada's X (Twitter) page
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada
Contacts: Hermine Landry, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 873-455-3714, [email protected]; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free), [email protected]; Matthew Kronberg, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, 343-552-5654; Media Relations, Health Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]
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