Canada’s Minister of Health and Minister of National Revenue, Jean-Yves Duclos and Diane Lebouthillier announced February 13 that more than 200,000 children are recipients of care under the country’s new interim Canada Dental Benefit. The announcement alludes to work ongoing on a universal dental care program, but remains scant on details.
Numerous industry stakeholders, including industry association like the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) and the Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU) have encouraged the government, through their lobbying efforts, to make dental benefits available to those who need them, but to do so without impacting existing workplace plans which already provide coverage to Canadian consumers and clients.
Related:
- Association continues lobbying provinces ahead of provincial budget releases
- Insurance association submits budget recommendations to Alberta
In this most recent announcement, the government says the new interim Canada Dental Benefit, which began accepting applications December 1, 2022, provides financial support to parents and guardians to get their children help from an oral health care professional. “Through this benefit we are helping reduce financial barriers by helping families of eligible children under 12 access the dental care they need,” the announcement states.
“The Government of Canada continues to work on a comprehensive, long-term, Canada-wide dental care program to make quality oral health care within reach for families who need it most.”
