Delivering dental care for you
Canadians are struggling to keep up with their bills and are neglecting their dental health in the process. Justin Trudeau’s out-of-touch Liberals and Pierre Poilievre’s cut-and-gut Conservatives voted against giving Canadians dental care – twice.
After years of fighting back, the NDP is delivering dental to people who need it. The first rollout of the NDP Dental Care program will start with seniors who could start receiving coverage as early as May 2024 once they apply.
Dental care is health care. Because of New Democrats, no one will have to miss going to the dentist because it’s too expensive. Getting more Canadians to the dentist, free of charge, will make life more affordable for families and keep everyone healthier.
Who qualifies?
Seniors, people with disabilities and children under 18 with an annual adjusted household net income under $90,000 and without a private dental insurance.
Where to register?
Detailed information is available on the Government of Canada's website, here.
Or text NDP at 613-801-8210.
What do I receive?
Free dental care treatment which is expected to save an average family at least $1,300 per year.
Frequently Asked Questions
People that meet the following criteria are eligible:
- Have no access to employer/pension-sponsored or private dental insurance.
- Have an annual adjusted family net income under $90,000.
- Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes; and
- Have filed their tax return in the previous year.
Canadian residents who have access to dental benefits through provincial, territorial and federal social programs who meet the Canadian Dental Care Program eligibility criteria will be able to apply to the program. Benefits will be coordinated to ensure no duplication of coverage.
To ensure a successful and smooth rollout of the program, Services Canada will accept applications in phases:
- Seniors aged 70+ will begin receiving a letter inviting them to apply by phone starting in December 2023 and through March 2024, in sequence based on age:
- 87+ - Letters sent December 2023
- 77-86 – Letters sent January 2024
- 72-76 – February 2024
- 70-71 – March 2024
- Seniors aged 65-69 will be able to apply online starting in May 2024.
- People with Disability and Children under 18 will be able to apply online in June 2024.
- Applications for all remaining eligible Canadian residents will start by 2025.
Once enrolled, Canadian residents who qualify will be sent a welcome package by Sun Life with a member card and the start date for when their oral health dental care services will start.
Those covered under the program will be able to start seeing oral health provider as early as May 2024, depending on when they apply. As an example, Seniors who will enroll in December could be the first ones to see their coverage starting in May 2024.
The coverage start date will be based on when the application is received, and the individual is enrolled in. The coverage start date will vary by individual.
People will be able to start book appointments right when they know their coverage start date. As an example, Seniors who enrolled in December 2023 should know by February-March what is their coverage start day (May 1, 2024), so they could book their appointment for May 1. The earliest coverage start day will be May 1, 2024.
These are a few of the main services that will be covered, but it is not the entire list:
- Preventive services, including cleaning, polishing, sealants, and fluoride.
- Diagnostic services, including examinations and x-rays.
- Restorative services, including fillings.
- Endodontic services, including root canal treatments.
- Prosthodontic services, including complete and partial removable dentures.
- Periodontal services, including deep scaling.
- Oral surgery services, including extractions and medically necessary orthodontic.