Health Unit Encourages Eligible Families to Access Free or Low-Cost Dental Care
/As eligibility for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) expands, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) and Peterborough Public Health (PPH) encourage families to explore the federal program for needed dental coverage, announced on Wednesday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
PPH says familes should understand the changes to CDCP and the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program.
According to a press release, the CDCP is a federal government initiative aimed at making dental care more affordable for eligible Canadians. Applications are currently open for seniors aged 65 and older, children under 18, and adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate. As of last month, the program has expanded to include all eligible adults aged 18 to 64.
“Good oral health is fundamental to overall well-being, and programs like HSO and the CDCP play a critical role in making dental care accessible to qualifying children and youth,” said Anna Rusak, Health Promoter, with the HKPR District Health Unit. “And with an increasing number of dental providers asking patients to enroll in CDCP, we want to make sure families are aware and prepared. We are here to help them through the application process.”
The CDCP is now open to all ages and families with an adjusted family net income of $90,000 or less who have no private dental insurance and have filed their taxes. These families are invited to submit one application for their household. This program helps cover the cost of dental care, including regular check-ups, cleanings and treatments.
Families who qualify for CDCP will receive a package from Sun Life, the company managing the program. This package will include a member card, program details, and the start date for benefits to be activated. PPH advises waiting until this start date to book any dental appointments.
PPH says when making an appointment and before starting any treatment always:
Confirm that the dentist accepts CDCP clients
Check your benefit start date and any costs you may need to pay
Ask if there are any extra fees beyond what CDCP covers and if so, request an estimate or the specific amount that will be owed
