If you are eligible, it is important to register with the federal system:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/apply.html
For the same treatment, one price for everyone
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) established by the Government of Canada will begin in May 2024 and will be rolled out gradually. Ultimately, more than 2.5 million Quebecers will be able to benefit from it. Maybe you will be one of them?
As dentists, we are delighted to know that more people will have access to oral care with an unprecedented financial assistance program.
The purpose of this letter is to provide an important clarification on the pricing policy of our dental clinic. No matter who we treat, we are committed to offering everyone the same quality of care, the same professionalism, and at the same price. Our code of ethics requires us to have the same price for the same care, for all our patients.
In addition to being ethical, it is fair and equitable for all patients, whether they are privately insured, covered by a public plan like the RCSD or have no coverage for dental care.
If you are a beneficiary of this new plan, make sure you have your RCSD card and photo identification (health insurance card, driving license, etc.) on hand when you go to your appointment.
Although you can now benefit from substantial financial assistance through this program, you will have to pay the difference between the amount that the RCSD will reimburse us and our usual rates.
At your dentist, everyone pays the same price for the same treatment, not only is it fair, but it is also an ethical obligation.
Sincerely,
Your dentist
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I know if I am eligible for CDCP?
The federal government is currently contacting the first groups of eligible citizens to inform them of the procedure to follow. If you have not received a letter before May, you may not be eligible, or at least not yet. Check your eligibility on the government website: https://www.canada.ca/fr/services/prestations/dentaire/regime-soins-dentaires/admissibilite.html.
What is adjusted family income? My partner and I earn a gross family income of $85,000 per year; Shouldnt we be eligible?
Only the Canadian government can determine your eligibility. Eligibility criteria are defined by the Canadian government in its program. Please refer to this site for details:https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/qualify.html.
It is the Sun Life company that apparently processes CDCP payments. But I am not a customer of this company. Can I still benefit from CDCP?
Of course, Sun Life acts as the government’s agent for the management and administration of this program. This has nothing to do with being a Sun Life customer for their dental or other insurance, even if you are asked to create an account on Sun Life Direct. The plan’s funds remain public, even if a private company manages them on behalf of the government.
My dentist asks me to pay an amount in addition to what he will receive as remuneration from the CDCP for the care offered? Does he have the right?
All dentists in Quebec have the right and the obligation to charge the same fees for the same care, regardless of who the patient is, it is an ethical obligation. The only exception is for care covered by the RAMQ, because these are governed by a law which takes precedence over the CDCP. The CDCP offers financial assistance to facilitate access to dental care for a wider number of Canadians, but like any program, it has its limits.
I am eligible for CDCP. My dentist informs me that the treatment plan he submitted to Sun Life for evaluation indicates that I will have an amount to pay. Is this normal?
Yes, it’s normal that there are fees to pay for your care. Depending on your CDCP coverage plan, it is possible to have a more or less significant amount to pay for this treatment, even if you are eligible for the program, whether it is the co-payment imposed by the plan or the difference between the CDCP price list and that charged by your dentist.
My dentist tells me that certain treatments are not currently covered by the CDCP. Is this normal?
The government wanted to roll out the covered treatments gradually and it is normal that some of them are not covered when you would like them to be. In addition, the program will not cover all care. You must consult your file and the CDCP grid to find out the list of eligible treatments and the frequency with which it reimburses them, according to the terms of the program.
My dentist gave me a treatment plan and advised me to contact Sun Life to find out my coverage and the costs I will have to pay for this care? Is this normal?
They may ask you to check what will be covered by the CDCP before treating you. You will thus have the correct information on the coverage that will be offered to you and paid by the CDCP and on the balance that you will have to pay to the dentist if you move forward with this treatment plan.
I have been a new arrival in Canada for 6 months. I do not yet have resident status or paid tax last year. One thing is certain, our family income will not exceed $40,000 this year. Am I eligible for CDCP?
In addition to the adjusted net family salary, one of the conditions for accessibility is to have filed an income tax return the previous year, which does not seem to be your case. All the program eligibility terms and conditions are available on the site: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/qualify.html.
I am covered by private dental insurance through my employer, but my household income is $60,000. Am I eligible for RCSD?
No, among all the criteria to satisfy, you must not be insured by your employer or have private dental insurance. All program eligibility terms and conditions are available on the website: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/qualify.html.
I am covered by private dental insurance through my employer. Can I choose to be covered by the CDCP, because I will not have to pay a deductible and it seems more advantageous to me to be covered by the CDCP?
No, any private or employer coverage for dental care, even if you refuse to subscribe to it, excludes you from the CDCP. This program is not intended to replace dental insurance offered to workers in Canadian companies, but to increase access to care through financial assistance intended for those who do not have it and who are less well off.< /p>
My child s dental care is covered by RAMQ. Can he opt out?
No, this program is not intended to replace RAMQ.
Patients call the clinic to complain about various aspects of RCSD including the fact that they have to pay an amount to cover our usual rates. Where can I direct them to be heard?
You can invite them to communicate their dissatisfaction to Health Canada, responsible for this file at 1 833 537-4342. You can also invite them to write directly to the office of the Minister of Health, responsible for the file: mark.holland@parl.gc.ca.