Is dental care free in Canada?

Visiting the dentist on a regular basis is essential for maintaining our health, but the costs may add up. Currently, one-third of Canadians do not have dental insurance, & in 2018, more than one out of every five Canadians reported postponing dental care due to the cost of treatment. Because of these factors, the Canadian government has already pledged to offer dental treatment for uninsured Canadians whose families have an annual income of less than $90,000, beginning in 2022 with children under the age of 12 as the first group to get this benefit. In the interim that a comprehensive national dental care programme is being developed, eligible children under the age of 12 will be able to receive the dental care they require thanks to this initial phase of the government’s plan to provide dental coverage for families with annual incomes of less than $90,000.

The Dental Benefit Program of Canada
Under the proposed Canada Dental Benefits programme, qualifying parents or guardians would receive direct, up-front payments that are exempt from taxation in order to cover the cost of dental care for their children who are under the age of 12 years old. The 1st of December, 2022 has been set as the intended implementation date for the Canada Dental Benefit; however, this date is contingent upon the enabling legislation being approved by Parliament and given the Royal Assent. The programme would cover costs dating back to the 1st of October, 2022.

Families whose annual adjusted net income is less than $90,000 and who do not have dental coverage would be eligible to receive payments of up to $650 per kid, per year, under the Canada Dental Benefits programme.

If the family’s adjusted net income is less than $70,000, then the government will grant $650 to each qualifying kid in the household.
If the family’s net income is between $70,000 & $79,999, then the government will contribute $390 for each qualifying kid in the household.
If the family’s net income is between $80,000 & $89,999, then the government will contribute $260 for each qualifying kid in the household.

It is anticipated that this specific expenditure of 938 million dollars will be beneficial to the lives of 500,000 children in Canada.
In order to receive the Benefit, parents or guardians of children who are qualified for it are required to submit an application to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). In addition to this, they would be required to attest to the following:

Their child cannot access private dental care coverage; They will have out-of-pocket dental care expenses for which they will use the Benefit; They are aware that they may be required to provide documentation to verify that out-of-pocket expenses were incurred (for example, by showing receipts), but they are willing to do so if necessary.

The Canada Revenue Agency and Health Canada are working closely together to develop an application platform that will ensure payments are made in a timely manner. In due time, more information on how to apply for the Benefit and when to do so will be given.
Other income-tested federal benefits, including the Canada Workers Benefit, the Canada Child Benefit, & the Goods & Services Tax Credit, will not be affected in any way by the introduction of the Canada Dental Benefit.

A long-term dental care programme in Canada
The federal government continues to demonstrate its dedication to meeting the dental care needs of Canadians by taking the necessary measures toward the establishment of a comprehensive, nationwide, and long-term dental care programme. The government of each province and territory, as well as representatives from private businesses, have been consulted about the structure and implementation schedule of such a programme. The government remains committed to the full implementation of a dental care program for households with incomes under $90,000 by 2025.