Update on the Canadian Dental Care Plan May 1, 2024, was the first day that more than 1 million seniors with dental insurance coverage from the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) could start receiving oral health care through the federal plan. On the same day, potentially eligible people age 65 and over could apply to the CDCP online using a newly launched tool. By mid-May, over 90,000 CDCP claims had been processed by SunLife and close to 10,000 oral health providers had signed up to participate in the plan. To date, almost 2 million seniors have been approved for the CDCP. Health Canada estimates that the plan could eventually include about 9 million eligible people as members. Eligible children under age 18 and adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate will be able to apply to the CDCP in June 2024. “Dentists across the country believe in the intent of this federal program, and we acknowledge the progress that has beenmade by the government in improving the CDCP thus far, but significant gaps remain to adequately address the needs of patients and dentists,” said Dr. Joel Antel, CDA president, in a May 1 press release. Over the past several months, CDA and provincial and territorial dental associations (PTDAs) have expressed the concerns of dentists to the federal government. The support of oral health care providers is crucial to the success of the CDCP to ensure that patients signing up for the program will be able to find an eligible dentist. In mid-April, Health Canada released a statement saying that if oral health providers did not choose to participate fully in the CDCP by formally signing up with the plan, they could still provide care to CDCP patients on a claim-by-claim basis starting July 8, 2024. This “alternative path” to participation will allow oral health providers to direct bill SunLife for oral health services provided to CDCP members. In the same statement, Health Canada tried to address the issue of preauthorization and emergency services. “There are no limitations on emergency examinations under the plan, and almost all services that could be done on an emergency basis do not need preauthorization,” according to its press release. Health Canada said it would continue to work with the dental associations to determine where additional refinements to Dentists across the country believe in the intent of this federal program, but significant gaps remain to adequately address the needs of patients and dentists. 9 Issue 3 | 2024 |
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