The new Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) came into effect in December 2023 and will be progressively opened to applications throughout 2024 and early 2025. The RCSD offers some dental coverage to eligible individuals, but may not fully cover the costs of your oral care.
It's important to understand the full extent of the benefits the RCSD offers for services like dental exams, cleanings, and restorative services such as fillings. In some cases, care may not be fully covered by the RCSD, and you will still need to pay your oral healthcare provider directly.
We recommend that you consult your dentist before applying to the RCSD or requesting oral health coverage from the RCSD. We can help you better understand the coverage you may be eligible for and explore your options for accessing essential oral health care.
Do you still have to pay if you are covered by the RCSD?
In some situations, you may have to pay for part of your oral care or even pay for the entirety of a service that is not covered by the RCSD. The coverage offered by the RCSD is limited to certain specific services and the full coverage of your care may vary.
The RCSD will reimburse a percentage of eligible expenses at the rates determined by the RCSD. You may have to pay a portion of the costs not covered by the RCSD, depending on the services received, the fees payable, and your family income.
What is the maximum income to qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
To qualify for coverage under the RCSD, your family income must be less than $90,000. However, even if your income is less than $90,000, you may still have to pay a portion of the costs for the services received.
There are three coverage categories under the RCSD that vary according to your net annual family income. These apply only to services covered by the RCSD at the rates established by the RCSD. They are as follows:
- If your coverage is less than $70,000, you may be eligible for no-deductible coverage.
- Between $80,000 and $89,999, you may have to pay a 40% co-payment.
- Between $80,000 and $89,999, you may have to pay a 60% co-payment.
What services are covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
- preventive services, such as descaling (cleaning), polishing, sealants and fluoride.
- diagnostic services, including examinations and X-rays;
- restoration services, including fillings (seals);
- root canal treatments;
- removable complete and partial prostheses;
- deep descaling;
- tooth extractions.
Since Health Canada continues to work with the provinces and territories to implement the RCSD, coverage may be adjusted based on statistics collected over time.
Who is eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
To be eligible for the RCSD, you must meet the following criteria:
- not having access to another form of dental insurance;
- have an adjusted net family income of less than $90,000;
- be a Canadian resident for tax purposes;
- having filed an income tax return the previous year.
You may not be eligible for the RCSD if you have access to oral health insurance through one of the following resources:
- your employer;
- insurance from a member of your family;
- your pension benefits or social benefits from a former employer;
- retirement benefits from a family member or benefits from their former employer;
- health and well-being accounts provided by employer benefits;
- personal insurance obtained by yourself or a member of your family.
If you have access to oral health care through another social program offered by your province, territory or federal government, you may still be covered by the RCSD if you meet all the criteria listed above.
Will older people receive free oral healthcare with the RCSD?
Not all seniors will automatically be eligible for RCSD and some will even have to pay part of their oral care costs, even if they are covered by RCSD.
You can consult this calendar detailing the eligibility dates for adults in different age groups. Adults aged 87 and over have been able to register for the RCSD since December 2023. Throughout 2024, registration will open monthly for increasingly younger age groups.
As of today, individuals aged 65 and over, those with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate, and those under 18 have access to the Canada Social Security Contributions (CSSC). Starting in 2025, all other eligible Canadian residents will be able to benefit from the CSSC.
Let's talk about your oral health needs.
The goal of the RCSD is to help reduce financial barriers to oral healthcare for some Canadians belonging to more vulnerable groups, while being supported by the Canadian Dental Association.
The RCSD will not replace your existing dental insurance, and it's important to know that RCSD coverage can vary depending on several factors. Before enrolling in this plan or requesting services covered by the RCSD, we encourage you to speak with your dentist. We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Contact us to learn more about the RCSD and your options for accessing essential oral health care.
