Federal dental care program will exclude 4.4M uninsured Canadians: report

It would cost $1.45 billion to extend the coverage to people whose income exceeds the cap in 2025, on top of the $3.3 billion already budgeted for in the program that year. The report, authored by David Macdonald, a senior economist for the think tank, argues that $90,000 is not a particularly large income for a family with two parents and children.

“Earning $45,000 for each parent isn’t a tremendous salary in Canada. But making more than that precludes those families from receiving federal dental care coverage.”

The report argues that a universal program wouldn’t leave anyone out at all.

NDP health critic Don Davies, who has worked closely with the Liberals on the new dental care policy, said in a statement his party would ideally like to see the coverage expanded.

“This is a momentous step forward and it will be life-changing for many. However, we have always been clear that this is a first step — a down payment — on universal access and that more must be done,” Davies said in the statement.

Davies is also collaborating with the government on the legislative framework for medical drug coverage for Canadians. In the case of pharmacare, the NDP has insisted the coverage must be single-payer and universal, unlike the dental care program.

Expanding dental care alongside the same principles will be a focus for the NDP in the next election, he said.

“New Democrats will not stop until every Canadian can access the dental care they need regardless of their ability to pay,” he said.

Health Minister Mark Holland’s office did not directly address Macdonald’s concerns when contacted for a statement Wednesday, but said the new program is intended to ease the financial barrier to accessing dental health care.

“The Canadian Dental Care Plan is going to make life better for millions of Canadians, so they won’t have to choose between paying their bills and getting oral health care,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

Ottawa plans to gradually enrol eligible participants in the new program over the next 12 months.

The first program members are expected to be able to start claiming dental care expenses in May, though the exact coverage date will vary from person to person.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 17, 2024.

Laura Osman, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Federal dental care program will exclude 4.4M uninsured Canadians: report

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