The Canada Dental Benefit ended on June 30, 2024, but has been replaced by the Canadian Dental Care Plan. This plan became effective in May of 2024 and continues to cover eligible seniors.
Tooth decay is one of the most common – and most preventable – chronic diseases in Canadian children, yet many families don't have access to dental insurance. The Canada Dental Benefit was estimated to have help approximately 500,000 kids across the country.
Let's take a look at who was eligible for the Canada Dental Benefit, how much families received, and how they applied for the benefit.
Key Takeaways
- The Canada Dental Benefit was a temporary program ended on June 30, 2024, but helped half a million children with their dental care.
- The Canadian Dental Care Plan was rolled out in May 2024.
- The CDCP is available for adults age 65+, children under age 18, and adults with a valid 2023 Disability Tax Credit certificate.
- This new program covers basic dental services, diagnostic and preventative dental services, and more.
- Orthodontic coverage will be rolled out in 2025.
The Canadian Dental Benefit is closed but you can apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan
The Canada Dental Benefit ended on June 30, 2024, but the Canadian Dental Care Plan was rolled out on May 1, 2024. This plan will eventually cover dental care costs for up to 9 million Canadians.
Here’s what you need to know about Canadian Dental Care Plan:
What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?
The Candian Dental Care Plan is designed to make dental care more affordable for Canadians. It covers the costs of various oral health care procedures aimed at preventing and treating oral diseases and their effects
Who qualifies for the CDCP?
At the time of writing, the CDCP provides coverage for the following people:
- Adults 65 years and older
- Children under age 18
- Adults with a valid 2023 Disability Tax Credit certificate
You'll also need to meet the following requirements:
- You're a Canadian resident
- You don't have access to dental insurance
- You and your spouse/partner (if applicable) have filed your tax returns for the previous year
- Your adjusted family net income is under $90,000
What does the CDCP cover?
While the CDCP does cover an extensive list of dental services, it also requires the recommendation of a dental care provider. There are also limits to how much coverage will apply for each procedure.
Orthodontic coverage will be rolled out in 2025.
Here’s a list of some of the dental services the CDCP will cover:
- Diagnostic and preventive services: Dental exams, emergency exams, cleaning, scaling, fluoride applications, etc.
- Basic services: Fillings, cavity prevention and treatment, pain control for diseased teeth, root canals, pain relief, gum disease management, abscess treatment, etc.
- Major services: Crowns and crown repair, standard and temporary dentures, surgical treatment for tumours and cysts, broken jaw treatments, etc.
- Anesthesia or sedation services: Menial sedation, deep sedation, general anesthesia, etc.
How much does it cover?
The amount of dental coverage you can receive depends on your income level and a few other factors.
In general, eligible Canadians will only pay a portion of the cost for services provided. Dental care providers will be reimbursed by the CDCP, not by individual Canadians.
Here's a breakdown of the co-payments (based on adjusted family income) you can expect to pay:
| Adjusted family net income | CDCP coverage amount | Amount patient covers |
|---|---|---|
| Lower than $70,000 | 100% | 0% |
| Between $70,000 and $79,999 | 60% | 40% |
| Between $80,000 and $89,999 | 40% | 60% |
How to apply to the CDCP
The Government of Canada encourages you to apply for the CDCP online. You can also apply over the phone by calling 1-833-537-4342.
If applying for children, submit one application for those under age 18.
You’ll need to provide the following information as part of your CDCP application:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Date of birth
- Full name
- Home and mailing address
- List of any dental coverage received through government social programs
- 2023 tax year's Notice of Assessment
Who was eligible for the Canada child dental benefit?
There were two benefit periods for the Canada Dental Benefit, and the qualifications were slightly different for each period.
- Period 1: October 1, 2022, through to June 30, 2023.
- Period 2: July 1, 2023 through to June 30, 2024.
Eligibility included details like these:
- The date the child receiving dental care was born
- Whether or not you (the parent/guardian) received or shared the Canada Child Benefit
- The amount of your family's adjusted net income
If you have/had more than one child, each one had to be eligible before applying for the Canada Dental Benefit. In this case, you'd have received a maximum of 2 payments (1 per period) for each eligible child.
How much was the Canada Dental Benefit?
Just as with the Canadian Dental Care Plan now, the Canada Dental Benefit provided payment amounts that were based on your family's annual income.
The minimum amount of $130 was provided to parents/guardians sharing child custody and having an adjusted family net income between $80,000 and $89,000.
The maximum amount of $650 was provided to parents/guardians with an adjusted family net income of less than $70,000.
How you applied for the Canada Dental Benefit
The fastest way to apply for the Canada Dental Benefit was to log into your CRA My Account or My Service Canada Account and find the application link there. You were also able to apply by phone.
You needed to supply the following information:
- Name and contact information for each child's dental care provider
- Date(s) of each child's dental appointment
- Your employer's contact information (if applicable)
- Your spouse/partner's employer's contact information
To be on the safe side, you should keep all receipts for dental care for 6 years, just in case the CRA asks for proof of your eligibility at some point.
When Canada Dental Benefit payments were distributed
The Canada Dental Benefit payments were made as follows, depending on which payment method you chose:
- Direct deposit: Within 5 business days of the application being submitted
- Cheque: 10 business days after you submit the application
FAQ
Who is eligible for the child dental benefit in Canada?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is available for children under the age of 18. Other adult groups may also be eligible, but there are a few eligibility requirements to meet, such as being a Canadian resident.
Was the Canada Dental Benefit taxable?
No, the Canada Dental Benefit was not taxable. If you claimed any dental services for your children as medical expenses, you’ll have to subtract the benefit amount from your medical expenses – you weren't allowed to claim any reimbursements.
Is there a Canada Dental Benefit for adults?
There isn't a Canada Dental Benefit for adults, but adults over the age of 65 and those with a 2023 Disability Tax Credit certificate are currently eligible to enroll in the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Is the Canadian Dental Benefit after June 30, 2024?
The Canada Dental Benefit was a temporary program that ended on June 30, 2024. Eligible Canadians can now apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. This permanent program opened for enrolment on May 1, 2024.
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