The Government of Canada has unveiled the details surrounding the roll out of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), saying eligible seniors will begin receiving instructions on how to obtain welcome packages from Sun Life by the end of the year.

The CDCP provides some coverage for dental care costs to Canadians with annual family incomes under $90,000.

“To meet anticipated demand and ensure a smooth onboarding process, the CDCP will be rolled out using a phased approach over the coming months, starting with seniors,” they state. “Applications will first open for seniors aged 87 and above in December 2023, expanding in phases to those aged 77 to 86 in January 2024, followed by those aged 72 to 76 in February 2024, then those aged 70 to 71 in March 2024. Individuals in these age groups who may be eligible will receive letters inviting them to apply, with instructions on how to validate their eligibility and apply by telephone.”

Starting May 2024, they say applications will shift to an online portal and will open for those over age 65. Those with disability tax credit certificates and children under 18 will be able to apply beginning in June 2024. All remaining eligible Canadian residents will be able to apply online in 2025.

Coverage start dates, details of coverage, and a member card will be sent by Sun Life, the government’s chosen service provider. The program is administered by Health Canada in collaboration with Employment and Social Development Canada, through Service Canada and Sun Life. The estimated value of Sun Life’s five-year contract with the government is nearly $747-million, and includes the opportunity for the government to option another five additional years.

When the CDCP was first announced, the government said it would invest $13-billion over five years, plus $4.4-billion ongoing to sustain the program. “The CDCP is not intended to be a replacement for existing dental benefits,” they write. “It is intended for the CDCP to fill existing gaps in coverage and complement existing provincial and territorial dental programs.”

Those eligible must have no access to dental insurance, have an adjusted family net income under $90,000, be a Canadian resident for tax purposes and have filed their tax return in the previous year.

The program will reimburse a percentage of eligible expenses at established CDCP rates. “A co-payment is the percentage of CDCP fees that is not covered by the CDCP, and that people covered under the CDCP will have to pay directly to their oral health provider,” the government states. That co-payment percentage for those with an adjusted annual family net income between $80,000 and $89,999 is 60 per cent. This reduces to 40 per cent for those families with incomes between $70,000 and $79,999 and reduces further to zero for those with family net incomes under $70,000.

“In early 2024, oral health providers will be able to enroll, on a voluntary basis, to the CDCP as participating CDCP oral health providers, directly with Sun Life. A provider awareness campaign will be launched with the support of Sun Life that will invite providers to enroll.”