The federal government has announced details of it’s national dental care program.
Starting next week and until 2025, there will be a phased rollout according to age.
Health Minister Mark Holland says the dental care plan will cover a wide array of services.
“The Canadian Dental Care Plan will cover a wide range of services for Canadians,” Holland said in a press conference on Monday to announce details of the program.
“It will cover preventative, diagnostic, restorative, surgical, among other services to ensure their smile is healthy and joyful.”
Minister of Citizen’s Services Terry Beech says as many as 9 million Canadians will be eligible for the program and it’s easy to be registered.
“There is no pro-active action that any Canadian needs to take today in order to enroll, other to make sure that your up to date in filing your taxes. That’s all you have to do as of today.”
A call center for the Dental Care Plan will be staffed as active as of next week.
The oldest Canadians will be registered first, and a letter will be sent out explaining how to register.
Federal NDP Leader Jaghmeet Singh says the enrollment is very simple, you’ll get notification that you qualify, then you make a call.
“People should be able to use this to go to their local dentist, the one they have been going to before, for those that qualify it would mean your bill will now be paid for by the federal government and your cost would be free,” Singh told reporters, Monday.
Sunlife Canada has a $700 million contract with the federal government to administer the plan.