What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian government has taken a significant step forward in improving access to dental care by introducing its groundbreaking Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). This initiative aims to provide coverage for those families making an annual income of less than $90,000.
This initiative will kick off by covering kids under 12 from low- and middle-income families before expanding its reach to children under 18, seniors, and people with disabilities. By 2025, all eligible Canadians will be covered under the CDCP.
What are the Benefits included in the Canada Dental Benefit Plan?
To help provide access to quality dental care for those who may not usually have it, the Canadian government has launched a special two-year program: The Canada Dental Benefit. This tax-free initiative is available to families below an annual income of $90,000 and with children under 12 years old as of December 1st, 2022.
Through this generous scheme, parents can receive up to a maximum amount of $650 each year towards their little one’s out-of-pocket oral health expenses!
Who will administer the payments under the Canada Dental Benefits Plan?
The CRA will administer payments under the Canada Dental Benefits Plan. Your adjusted income will determine whether or not you get the benefits under this program.
So make sure to file your taxes for last year to become eligible!
What Exactly are the Benefits in the Canada Dental Benefit Plan?
- $650 for each eligible child per year if the family’s adjusted income is under $70,000.
- $390 for each eligible child per year if the family’s adjusted income is between $70,000 and $79,999.
- $260 for each eligible child per year if the family’s adjusted income is between $80,000 and $89,999.
- The Children’s Dental Benefit offers up to two payments per eligible child for dental care expenses incurred during the benefit period, occurring from October 1st, 2022, and ending June 30th, 2024.
- The program starts on December 1st, 2022.
- Parents of eligible children can receive up to two payments for each period to cover their out-of-pocket dental care costs – You will need to apply to the CRA to get the payments for each period per eligible child.
How do I Apply for the Canada Dental Benefit?
The CDB is now accepting Applications.
- Go to CRA My Account for the fastest and most secure method of appling for the Canada Ddental Benefit.
- Navigate to Canada.ca/dental for more information.
- If you want to speak with an agent. Call the CRA at 1-800-715-8836
You can apply to get the dental benefit payment ahead of your child’s dental appointment.
What Information do I need to provide for the CDB?
• Parents with children who do not have access to private dental care coverage can receive the Children’s Dental Benefit from the Canadian government.
• To receive the benefit, parents must provide information on their child’s dentist, including name and address and the date of appointment. Employer information may also be required.
• Most applicants will receive a payment within five business days if enrolled in direct deposit or 10-12 business days if receiving a cheque by mail.
• The benefit amount must be used to pay for dental services for the child; any unused money is expected to be spent on other oral health needs instead of returned.
Does the CDB extend to children already enrolled in government health programs?
• The Children’s Dental Benefit is not automatically void if the child is also under another government dental program like Healthy Smiles Ontario.
• The CDB covers out-of-pocket expenses for eligible children that other programs do not reimburse.
• In Ontario, once a service is provided and paid for under a provincial program, no further billing can be done for that same service. However, if the parent is willing to pay out of pocket, the dentist may bill them directly.
• There are some municipalities in Ontario with dental programs specifically for low-income families–these might be worth looking into.
• If you have any questions don’t hesitate to call us once of our team members would be happy to try and answer your questions.
Need Financing for Dental care treatment?
We understand that paying for dental services can sometimes be a challenge. That’s why we offer patients the opportunity to finance their care using Dental Card iFinance – an unrelated, independent third-party provider of financing for dental treatments.
They offer lots of options. Please evaluate all these options with care to ensure that you knowledgeably choose the program that works for your personal situation.
Top FAQs about the Canada Dental Benefit?
It is estimated that about 6.5 million Canadians are likely to eligible for the Canada Dental Benefit plan.
The program is available to families commencing from Dec.1, 2022,
In the first phase of the program, the Canada Dental Benefit is available to children under the age of 12 years.
To receive the Canada Dental Benefit (CDB), the eligible child’s family will need to meet the following conditions:
• The child for whom the Canada Dental Benefit is sought must be under 12 years of age.
• The child should not have access to private dental coverage from any source.
• The family’s net income should be under $90,000 per year.
• The family should have filed the previous year’s income tax return.
• The applicant must be the parent or legal guardian of the child for whom the CDB is sought.
• The applicant must have incurred out-of-pocket costs for the dental care of the child for whom the CDB is sought. These costs incurred should not have been fully reimbursed under another government program.
• The applicant must provide information on a recent or forthcoming oral health care visit that would need to be paid for by the CDB.
• Finally, the applicant must also provide information about the oral health care provider.
The Canada Universal Dental Care plan roll out is broadly as follows:
• The Canada Dental Benefit became law on November 17, 2022, and will be phased over three years.
• Starting on December 1, 2022, children under 12 will become eligible for the program, covering expenses retroactively to October 1, 2022.
• In 2023, Canada will extend the coverage of CDB to those under 18 years of age, seniors, and people living with disabilities.
• The federal government is committed to full implementation of the CDB plan rollout for all members of households with incomes under $90 000 by 2025.
• On December 1, 2022, parents or guardians of children under 12 years old can apply for tax-free dental expense payments from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
• In order to be eligible, you and your spouse or common-law partner must have filed your 2021 taxes. The CRA will use this information to confirm your income and eligibility.
• The fastest way to apply is through your “CRA My Account”.
• You can set up direct deposit with the CRA in order to receive payments within 5 business days.
• For more details, check out the Canada Dental Benefit website.
Eligible families can utilize the Canada Dental Benefit for all dental procedures provided by licensed oral health professionals.
These licensed professionals could be dentists, dental specialists, dental hygienists, or denturists.
All dental procedures should be eligible for coverage. You may check with CRA further on specifics.
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