What we know about the Canadian Dental Care Plan
The Canadian Dental Care Plan was unveiled in December and will be rolled out gradually.
Although no agreement has yet been reached with the Québec government, and we don’t yet have details on what care will be covered, you can still begin your application.
To be eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, a person must:
- Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes
- Have completed your tax return
- Have adjusted family net income of less than $90,000 per year; and,
- Not have access to a private or employer/pension dental plan.
You can apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan only if you have received a letter from Service Canada inviting you to do so.
This letter will contain a code that you must enter into the automated telephone system. You can see the steps to follow to apply through the automated system by clicking here.
Letters are being sent out gradually. The schedule is as follows:
| Invitation to apply by mail | Applications open |
| Seniors aged 87 and above | Since December 2023 |
| Seniors aged 77 to 86 years | Starting January 2024 |
| Seniors aged 72 to 76 years | Starting February 2024 |
| Seniors aged 70 to 71 years | Starting March 2024 |
| Seniors aged 65 to 69 years | Starting May 2024 |
As of May 2024, you will be able to make your application online.
If you qualify, your coverage will begin on the date provided in your welcome package. This package will be sent to you by Sun Life, who will manage claims.
It is very important that appointments with an oral health care provider be made on or after your coverage start date, and not before, for oral health care services to be covered by the plan. The Canadian Dental Care Plan will not reimburse oral health care services received prior to this date.
For more information on the Canadian Dental Care Plan, visit canada.ca/dental.
