New dental care plan leaves out 4.4 million uninsured Canadians: report

by | Jan 23, 2024 | Dental Health | 0 comments

A new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) argues that the federal government’s national dental coverage program, the Canadian Dental Care Plan, leaves many Canadians without coverage and requires an additional $1.45 billion in funding. The CCPA’s “Missing Teeth” report criticizes the income criteria, stating that a $45,000 salary for each parent in a two-parent household excludes families from coverage, even though 59% of families with children make over $90,000.

Key Points:

1. Income Criteria Critique:

  • The Canadian Dental Care Plan has an income threshold of $90,000, making families with higher incomes ineligible for federal dental care coverage.
  • CCPA argues that the income criteria are too restrictive, excluding families with a $45,000 salary for each parent in a two-parent household.

2. Canada Dental Benefit:

  • Before the Canadian Dental Care Plan rollout, the federal government introduced the Canada Dental Benefit in December 2022, providing $260 to $650 per child under 12 per year for families making less than $90,000.
  • CCPA notes that the Canada Dental Benefit excludes 35% of children under 12 due to their family income being too high.

3. Canadian Dental Care Plan Rollout:

  • The Canadian Dental Care Plan rollout began with seniors becoming eligible between December 2023 and May 2024.
  • Eligibility for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and children under 18 starts in June 2024, while all remaining eligible Canadians gain access in 2025.

4. Coverage and Funding Gap:

  • CCPA estimates that the new program will provide dental coverage for 8.5 million Canadians, with an additional 1.4 million benefiting from provincial dental programs.
  • However, the $90,000 income cap leaves out 4.4 million Canadians.
  • The CCPA calls for an additional $1.45 billion per year in funding to make the program universal.

5. Canada Health Act Comparison:

  • The report suggests two choices: continuing to create new medical care programs with an income cap or delivering on the promise of the Canada Health Act, which is based on health care for all with no income threshold.

6. Health Canada Response:

  • Health Canada clarifies that the federal program “is not an insurance program” in response to the report’s findings.

The report emphasizes the need for additional funding to address the coverage gap and make dental care more inclusive, aligning with the principles of the Canada Health Act. The discussion raises questions about income thresholds and the universality of healthcare services in Canada.