Budget 2024 is strengthening Canada’s social safety net by improving access to dental care so that every generation can have a fair shot at receiving the care they deserve while making life cost less.
The federal government is continuing to roll out the Canadian Dental Care Plan to provide dental coverage for uninsured Canadians with an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000. Since this measure was announced in Budget 2023, historic progress has been made to be able to cover one quarter of Canadian residents who don’t have access to oral health coverage. Children under the age of 12 are already receiving dental care with the interim Canada Dental Benefit, which has supported over 450,000 children. To date, over 2 million applications have been approved for eligible seniors, many of whom are now able to visit an oral health provider.
On June 27, the Canadian Dental Care Plan will expand to include children under 18 and persons with a valid disability tax credit certificate. Eligible Canadians will be able to apply online through Service Canada. Coverage start date, details of coverage, and member cards will be sent to successful applicants by Sun Life, the contracted service provider, in a welcome package.
In 2025, online applications will open for uninsured Canadians between the ages of 18 and 64. Once fully implemented, the Canadian Dental Care Plan will cover 9 million Canadians, saving families money, significantly improving health outcomes, and making health care in Canada fairer for every generation.
Through Budget 2024, the federal government is building a fairer Canada, where every generation can reach their full potential—including getting the dental care they need. It is making Canada’s tax system fairer by asking the very wealthiest to pay their fair share—so that we can make investments in health and prosperity for every generation.
