National Dental-care Benefit Bill Passed, Applications Open December 1

Legislation bringing dental benefits for lower-income families has passed. Bill C-31, which was a joint initiative by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, received Royal Assent, and has become law. This will be Canada’s first national dental coverage.

Children under the age of 12 with an annual family income of less than $90,000 will benefit from the new law, which was passed on Thursday, November 17. Applications for this program will open from December 1. Depending on the family’s income, payments of up to $650 per child per year would be provided by the government.

Families with adjusted net income under $70,000 will receive $650 per child. Families with adjusted net income between $70,000 and $79,999 will receive $390 per child. Lastly, families with adjusted net income between $80,000 and $89,999 will receive $260 per child.

The amount is calculated according to how much funding would be required for basic dental care, X-rays, cleanings, fillings, and exams. In case a family has excess funds, they will not have to return them so officials have advised parents to use them for other dental needs. Expenses from October 1, 2022, will be covered under the law retroactively. It is estimated that this plan will help 500,000 Canadian children with some of their dental care coverage.

According to government officials, the first phase will give those eligible “direct, up-front tax-free payments to cover dental expenses.” Families will need to apply through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to access the benefit. To be eligible, they should not have any private dental care coverage, the benefit should be put towards out-of-pocket dental care expenses, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses should be provided.

The legislation was first tabled on September 20. Bill C-31, which was a joint initiative between  PM Trudeau and NDP Leader Singh, passed the House of Commons and was sent to the Senate on October 27. Jagmeet Singh said in a statement, “Families are having to decide whether to pay for dental care for their kids or pay their bills. No one should have to deal with the pain or lifelong damage of going without dental care. Families will very soon be able to apply to get their kids teeth fixed. And this is just the first step, we’re going to keep fighting to make sure all Canadians can access comprehensive dental care as part of our healthcare system.”

This will be Canada’s first national dental coverage plan.

Vineet Washington