The Canadian Revenue Agency has announced that applications have opened for the new national dental benefit. Low-income families will be able to claim up to $650 per year towards dental care for each qualifying child. This will be very helpful for a huge range of people across Canada, and should improve the nation’s oral health.
The Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced that after a long wait, parents are now able to apply for the new children’s dental benefit [1].
This is the result of a program put forward by the Liberal Party, backed by the New Democratic Party (NDP). Moreover, this benefit forms part of the Canadian government’s assistance with the recent rise in the cost of living.
The dental benefit will be very useful for low-income families across Canada. This is the first part of a wider national dental care plan that is due to be implemented in full by 2025.
What is the dental benefit?
This dental benefit is the result of the initial approach of the Canadian government towards a nationwide dental care plan. As the dental care plan isn’t quite ready, the benefit comes as a compromise for a short-term plan [2].
The overall plan forms part of the supply and confidence agreement between the NDP and the Liberals. Improved dental care has been one of the most important policies of the NDP since it was founded.
The benefit will provide assistance to families with a household income of below $90,000. At first, the benefit will be for those aged under 12. Furthermore, families can receive up to $650 per year towards dental care for any qualifying child [2].
The Canadian Revenue Agency require anyone who wishes to claim the benefit to provide them with the name and address of their licensed dental practitioner, as well as the date of their appointment [3].
The latest updates
Applications opened, and within a day, thousands of applications had been put in [1]. This is very positive news, and suggests that the benefit will be very popular.
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said that the start was a sign that the “benefit is going to help lots of families” [1]. Duclos has been among those championing this benefit.
Moreover, Duclos spoke about the current dental care situation in Canada, saying that for many Canadians, dental costs are “simply out of reach” [1]. Duclos hopes that the government will have a “long-term program in place” for dental care soon [1].
The NDP’s leader Jagmeet Singh – a long-time advocate for improved access to dental care – was pleased with the outcome [1]. He said that the NDP will “keep fighting to make sure all Canadians can access comprehensive dental care as part of our health-care system” [1].
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has faced criticism for creating the benefit at a time where the healthcare system is already overstretched. However, he reasoned that the benefit was needed as the current situation means that “parents either don’t send their kids to the dentist or have to make impossible choices about what not to buy for their kids if they’re going to send them to the dentist” [1].
Continuing, Trudeau then pointed out that such a situation shouldn’t be the case in Canada, saying “particularly because we know that oral health is an intrinsic part of overall health” [1].
The aim continues to be for a long-term program to be in place soon. Eventually, the benefit dental care plan will fall under a public insurance program, rather than an individual benefit – making it easier to access [1].
How to apply
The Canadian government have produced a useful “how to apply” page on their website, which you can access at the following page: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/dental-benefit/how-apply.html [4].
The current claim period is October 1st 2022 to June 30th 2023. You should apply using the CRA, which can be done at the above page [4].
The CRA require parents to keep receipts for six years [4]. Payments are usually processed within 5 business days.
It has taken a long time, but the dental benefit has now launched. Further elements of the overall plan will be released in the coming months.
Thinking points…
1) The creation of this dental benefit acknowledges that dental costs can be high. However, here at Savanna Dental, our prices are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. Therefore, our fees are transparent and reliable. We would love to see you visit our Calgary dental clinic! To find out more, or to have a conversation regarding your oral health, get in touch with us!
2) Do you have a child that could be aided by this dental benefit? If so, details on how to apply are outlined above. But this doesn’t mean you should rest on your laurels, as we need to all have excellent oral hygiene in order to keep our dental health strong. As part of this, it is important to attend regular check-ups, as this provides the opportunity for a dental professional to analyze your oral health. We recommend booking a check-up right away!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a range of treatment options and advice aimed at improving oral health.
It is crucial to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to floss regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is important.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.
References
[1] The Canadian Press. (2022). Applications open for dental care benefits touted by Liberals as inflation relief. Available: https://www.cp24.com/news/applications-open-for-dental-care-benefits-touted-by-liberals-as-inflation-relief-1.6176362. Last accessed: 9th December 2022.
[2] Ontario Dental Association. (2022). Canadian Dental Care Plan. Available: https://www.oda.ca/visiting-the-dentist/government-dental-programs/canadian-dental-care-plan/. Last accessed: 9th December 2022.
[3] Government of Canada. (2022). Canada Dental Benefit. Validating your application. Available: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/dental-benefit/how-apply/validation.html. Last accessed: 9th December 2022.
[4] Government of Canada. (2022). Canada Dental Benefit. How to apply. Available: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/dental-benefit/how-apply.html. Last accessed: 9th December 2022.
