Canada Dental Resources

Although Canada has a public health system, most Canadians do not receive routine dental coverage under the Canada Health Act (CHA). The CHA sets federal guidelines for publicly funded health insurance.

If you need dental care, there are four main ways to access it:

• Employer-funded dental insurance ⁠— Depending on your employer, you may receive benefits that include dental coverage
• Private dental insurance ⁠— Canadians can buy their own coverage and choose plans based on their needs and budget
• Out of pocket ⁠— Some services require you to pay the full cost, or any balance left after insurance
• Publicly-funded dental support programs ⁠— The Canadian government provides federal financial assistance to help vulnerable groups access dental care

Canada Dental Benefit

The interim Canada Dental Benefit (CDB) is a nationwide dental plan launched in 2022. The CDB helps Canadians without private dental coverage pay for dental care.

There’s a considerable amount of confusion regarding the Canada Dental Benefit. It’s often referred to by other names, such as:

• Canadian Dental Care Plan
• National dental care program
• Canada dental plan
• Dental Plans Canada
• Dental Plan Canada
• Federal Liberal-NDP Free Dental Care Program
• Universal Dental Care Canada

Who is Eligible for a CDB?

A CDB helps lower dental costs for low-income families earning less than $90,000 a year and without access to employer-based dental insurance. If you are paying for dental care for a child under 12, you may be eligible for the CDB.

To be eligible, families need to meet all of the following conditions for each child they apply for:

• A child under 12 years old with no access to private dental care
• An adjusted family net income under $90,000 per year
• Filed last year’s income tax and benefit return
• Be the parent (or legal guardian) who receives the Canada Child Benefit for that child
• Have incurred (or will incur) out-of-pocket costs for the dental care of the eligible child
• Provide information on the recent or planned oral health care visit that the benefit would be used to pay for
• Information about the oral health care provider

Children already covered under another free dental care government program, such as Healthy Smiles Ontario, are also eligible if not all dental care costs are paid by that program.

How Much Does a CDB Cover?

The CDB provides payments of up to $650 per child yearly:

• $650 would be provided for each eligible child if the family’s adjusted net income is under $70,000.
• $390 will be provided for each eligible child if the family’s adjusted net income is between $70,000 and $79,999.
• $260 would be provided for each eligible child if the family’s adjusted net income is between $80,000 and $89,999.

What Services Does the CDB Cover?

The CDB can be used for dental procedures provided by any licensed oral health professional practicing in Canada. Covered services include:

• Examinations
• Radiographs
• Scaling and deep scaling
• Sealants
• Polishing
• Fluorides
• Fillings
• Crowns
• Root canals
• Partial and complete dentures
• Surgical procedures
• Non-cosmetic braces

Other Canadian Dental Plans

There are 4 long-standing federal government dental plans that provide free dental care:

• (NIHB) Non-Insured Health Benefits ⁠— Free dental care for eligible First Nations people and Inuit, paid by Health Canada
• (IFHP) Interim Federal Health Program ⁠— Free emergency dental care for refugees, paid by the Government of Canada
• (VAC) Veterans Affairs Canada ⁠— free dental services for Canadian veterans, paid by Veterans Affairs Canada
• (CSA) Correctional Services ⁠— Essential health services for federal inmates, paid by Correctional Service Canada

How Good is Dental Insurance in Canada?

Approximately 65% of Canadians can cover some or all dental expenses through dental insurance. In oral health, Canada ranks favorably among leading nations for decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), advanced gum disease, and oral and lip cancer.

Wait times for dental visits and treatment are also lower than in many other countries. Publicly funded dental support programs typically cover specific groups of people.

These include:

• Seniors
• Low-income households
• People with special needs
• Children
• Indigenous peoples
• New immigrants with refugee status

Canada Oral Health Resources

Each province and community offers different oral health care services. If you want to learn more about your dental care options, take a look at the following websites or contact your local public health unit:

Resources for Adults

Governmental Dental Programs in Canada

Smile: Healthy Teeth, Healthy Body

Gum Disease

Oral Health for Adults

Oral Health for Seniors

Daily Denture and Mouth Care

Dental Hygiene Canada

It is estimated that 4.15 million working days for adults are lost annually due to dental visits or dental sick days.

Resources for Children

Oral Health for Children

TVOKids — Brushing

Oral Health and the Aboriginal Child

Dental Care for Children — Canadian Dental Association

Healthy Teeth for Children — Canadian Paediatric Society

It is estimated that 2.26 million school days are lost annually due to dental visits or sick days.

Vulnerable Populations

Canadians from low-income households are less likely to seek care from a dental professional than people in higher-income households. This is true even for people with insurance.

Compared with higher-income households, lower-income households had twice the dental health needs identified. As a result, specific population segments are at a much higher risk of oral health issues like root canals.

Indigenous People

The Indigenous peoples include First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Although these groups differ in culture, heritage, and practices, they are at higher risk for poor oral health.

For example, the 2008-2009 Inuit Oral Health Survey (IOHS) found that Inuit participants reported food avoidance and oral pain more often than the general population. Dental check-ups were uncommon, while coronal caries were high. Poor oral health is also associated with conditions such as diabetes and respiratory illness.

Senior Citizens

Older adults living in long-term care facilities often have underlying comorbidities. Good oral care is necessary for these individuals to reduce further risks to their overall well-being. This group can also include low-income senior citizens.

New Immigrants with Refugee Status

These individuals may arrive with untreated oral health problems. Some dental health providers volunteer their time and services to give immigrants with refugee status the treatment they need.

People with Special Needs

Dental caries and periodontitis (severe gum disease that can destroy bone and undermine tooth support) are more common in this population. Because eating and socializing are important for these individuals’ well-being, maintaining good oral health care is essential.

Low-Income Population

Some Canadians in low-income brackets cannot afford the rising cost of dental care. A lack of dental insurance or access to care increases the risk of worsening oral health.

While dental care costs in Canada have increased over time, incomes have not changed much for people in the lowest economic groups over the last 25 years. Government-funded dental programs can help cover care for low-income people.

Children

Children include all Canadians aged 0 to 18 years. Oral health problems, including early childhood caries, often begin between ages 0 and 6. Building good oral care habits while expanding access to children’s dental services can improve long-term oral health.

Summary

Canada ranks favorably among leading nations for decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), advanced gum disease, and oral and lip cancer. It also provides dental care services for people who cannot afford private dental insurance.

Canada also has a Canada Dental Benefit (CDB) program that helps lower dental costs for low-income households. It covers dental services from any licensed oral health professional practicing in Canada.

Various programs provide dental care for groups such as veterans and Indigenous people. There are also online resources with information on dental care.