Eligibility for Ottawa’s dental plan expands to children, people with disabilities

Ottawa plans to expand eligibility for the federal dental program today to include children under the age of 18 and people who receive a disability tax credit.

The government estimates 1.2 million more people will now be able to apply for the program.

“In the first 24 hours, over 3,000 children and 2,000 individuals with a disability tax credit certificate have already applied and become eligible for the program,” Citizens’ Services Minister Terry Beech said.

“That’s quite significant and I think it shows the underlying demand.”

B.C. already has subsidised dental care for low-income families as well as for people with disabilities, and the federal program is an expansion on that.

“We live in a time when the oral health of Canadians is being recognized with as much importance as general health — finally,” said UBC Dean of Dentistry Andrea Esteves.

Beech says 11,500 oral health professionals are now in the program across the country.

Dental care for Canadians between 18 and 64 is expected to roll out in 2025.

Critics have suggested that basing eligibility for people with disabilities on the tax credit will leave out a huge number of individuals who most need the help.

Federal ministers have said eligibility will be fully expanded to include everyone who meets income criteria in January 2025, so those who are left out won’t have to wait much longer to access federal dental coverage.

The rollout of the program was negotiated with the New Democrats as part of a political pact to prevent an early election.

To qualify, applicants must be uninsured and have a household income under $90,000 per year.