Canada's New Dental Care Program

Canada's new dental care program came into effect earlier this month, finally helping families have access to much-needed dental services.

Canada's interim dental benefits program became law after Bill C-31 received royal assent earlier this month.

This was a point of contention for NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who warned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that he would end their confidence and supply agreement if it was rejected.

Applications are now open. Here's what you need to know and how to apply.

Who is eligible?

Government says dental plan aims to reduce dental costs eligible families with incomes below $90,000.

While current applications are only open to parents and guardians of children under 12, the program will be expanded to anyone under the age of 18, as well as seniors and people with disabilities in 2023.

Parents and guardians must meet the following criteria for each child they apply for:

p>– Your child was born on or after December 2, 2010 (they are under 12 years old on December 1, 2022).

– Your adjusted net family income is less than $90,000 in 2021.

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– Your child has a dentist appointment in Canada between October 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

– Your child does not have access to a private health plan dental insurance.

– Your child's dental costs are not fully covered by another dental care program offered by any level of government.

– You are the only parent or guardian who receives the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for your child on December 1, 2022, or you have shared custody of your child and receive half of the CCB for your child on December 1, 2022.

– you (and your spouse or common-law partner if you have one) have completed your 2021 tax return.

How much can you receive?

The government says Canada Dental Benefit payments are tax-free and will vary depending on your family income.

"The amount of the benefit for each eligible child will not change based on your dental costs," we can read on the site.

Here is the amount you can get based on net income and whether you have full or shared custody.

The temporary dental care benefit is only available forr two periods, the first covers dental care from October 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, and the second, from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

You can get a maximum of two payments for each child eligible.

If you are only claiming one benefit period and your child's dental expenses are more than $650, you may meet the criteria for the additional payment.

You can also get an estimate of your dental benefit here.