Anna Rusak, a health promoter with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge district health unit (HKPR) said recent changes to the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) initiative will improve access to oral services for thousands of Ontarians – including many in the Highlands.
In early June, the federal government announced all remaining adults in Canada aged 18 to 64 are eligible for public coverage through the CDCP. Eligibility is determined by net income, with families earning $90,000 or less encouraged to apply.
Rusak said the program is open to people without their own private dental insurance – through employment or retiree benefits, a family member’s plan, or provincial plan. Previously, the program targeted seniors aged 65 and older, children under 18 and adults with a valid disability tax credit certificate.
It helps cover the cost of basic dental care, including regular check-ups, cleanings and treatments to help keep teeth and gums healthy, Rusak said.
HSO provides additional coverage for children and youth 17 and under from low-income households. The program provides funds for youth to visit a licensed dental provider and covers the costs of check-ups, cleaning, fillings, x-rays, scaling, tooth extraction, and emergency care.
To qualify, families with one child must earn $28,523 or lower, with the threshold increasing $2,159 for each additional dependent.
“Good oral health is fundamental to overall wellbeing, and programs like HSO and CDCP play a critical role in making dental care accessible to qualifying children and youth,” Rusak said. “With an increasing number of dental providers asking patients to enroll in CDCP, we want to make sure families are aware and prepared. We are here to help them through the process.”
Applications can be submitted online. If approved, families will receive a package from insurance provider Sun Life Canada, the company managing the program. It will include a member card, program details and a start date for benefits.
Rusak said it’s important to wait until the start date before booking any dental appointments, to avoid any unexpected costs.
Not all dentists accept patients through CDCP – an online app shows two offices in Haliburton County are signed up, Smolen Dentistry and Dr. David Butera Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, both located in Haliburton village. There are also options in Bracebridge and Bobcaygeon.
Rusak said patients should call ahead to check if there are any extra fees beyond what CDCP covers. She said families should never pay the full cost upfront, as Sun Life will not reimburse patients directly.
Families must meet the eligibility requirements each year to qualify – qualifying once does not ensure lifetime coverage.
The federal government said it expects the CDCP expansion to improve access to dental services to around five million Canadians. As of May, four million people had been approved under the previous thresholds.
A survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute in May, polling 1,500 Canadians, found more than half of respondents, 56 per cent, were delaying health appointments due to cost. Young adults aged 18 to 34 were the most affected with 66 per cent saying they were delaying health care, compared to 58 per cent among those aged 35 to 54. About 47 per cent of respondents aged 55 and older said they also put off dental care due to cost.
To apply, visit www.canada.ca/en/services/ benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/apply.html.
