The Canadian government has introduced the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) in response to concerns about the affordability of oral health care for those without dental insurance. Approximately one-third of Canadians do not have dental insurance, leading to one in four individuals avoiding visits to oral health professionals due to cost concerns. The CDCP aims to make oral health care more accessible by covering a range of services including preventative, diagnostic, restorative, endodontic, prosthodontic, and periodontal services. These services are expected to be available starting May 2024, with fees updated annually to reflect changes in costs and inflation.
Under the CDCP, services will be reimbursed based on established CDCP fees rather than provincial or territorial fee guides. While the plan will cover a percentage of the costs, individuals may still be responsible for co-payments or additional charges to their oral health providers. The government emphasizes the importance of participation from oral health care providers for the success of the program, highlighting the collaborative effort required to improve access to oral health care across Canada.