Bridging the gap: Canada takes a step towards universal dental care

Tashi Farmilo

In a landmark development aimed at addressing the oral health needs of Canadians, the Government of Canada has taken a significant step forward in the quest for accessible dental care. Recent statistics have shown that one-third of Canadians are unable to access crucial oral health services due to a lack of dental insurance, a situation that the government has been determined to rectify.

Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, and the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, jointly announced a major milestone in this endeavor. An Early Work Agreement valued at up to $15 million has been awarded to Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Sun Life). This agreement will enable Sun Life to commence essential pre-contractual work necessary for the successful launch and operation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan. This includes tasks such as recruitment, information technology-related activities, and business planning. The main contract, pending approval from the Government of Canada, is anticipated to be awarded in the fall of 2023.

Minister Duclos emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "Every Canadian deserves good oral health care, which is an essential part of overall health. Thanks to a competitive and efficient procurement process, we are one step closer to providing quality dental care services that meet the needs of Canadians."

Minister Holland echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that "No one should have to choose between taking care of their teeth and paying their bills at the end of the month. Canadians deserve access to quality dental care, which we know is important not only for oral health but for overall health. We are pleased that, with this agreement, the preparatory work can start to begin rolling out the Canadian Dental Care Plan by the end of the year."

The Canadian Dental Care Plan, once fully implemented, is set to extend its support to approximately 9 million uninsured Canadians with an annual family net income of less than $90,000. Importantly, there will be no co-pays for families with incomes under $70,000. This initiative aims to bridge the gap in dental care access for vulnerable and underserved populations.

Further details about the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which is expected to commence its rollout by the end of 2023, will be forthcoming from Health Canada in the coming weeks. This announcement marks a significant stride towards achieving comprehensive oral healthcare for all Canadians, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Photo caption: Government of Canada takes bold step toward accessible dental care for Canadians.

Photo credit: Tashi Farmilo