Seeing a dental care professional is important not only for oral health, but for overall health. In Canada, a third of people do not have dental insurance, leaving many unable to visit an oral health professional to get the dental care they need.
That is why today, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, and the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, are taking action to help those who need it most to access dental care by announcing that applications for the new interim Canada Dental Benefit are now open. The Canada Dental Benefit will give eligible families up-front, direct payments of up to $650 a year per eligible child under 12 for two years (up to $1,300) to support the costs of dental care services.
In order to access the benefit, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
They have a child or children under 12 as of December 1, 2022 and are currently receiving the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for that child;
They have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000;
Their child does not have access to private dental insurance;
They have filed their 2021 tax return; and
They have had or will have out of pocket expenses for their child’s dental care services incurred between October 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, for which the costs are not fully covered or reimbursed by another dental program provided by any level of government.
The CRA is leveraging its experience in administering essential benefits to Canadians to deliver a smooth, secure and user-friendly application process on behalf of the Government of Canada. Eligible parents can apply for the Canada Dental Benefit quickly and easily through their CRA My Account. Those who apply online and are signed up for direct deposit could receive their payment within 5 business days. Those who are unable to apply online can call our new dedicated phone line at 1-800-715-8836 to complete their application with an agent.
Parents and guardians will need to keep the receipts for the dental care services that their child received with the benefit for 6 years in case the CRA contacts them to validate eligibility. Applicants that are found to be ineligible for the benefit during the verification processes will be required to repay the benefit they received.
By delivering targeted financial support to those who need it most, the new interim Canada Dental Benefit represents just one of the ways that the Government of Canada is working to make life more affordable for families in Canada.
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