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Canada Dental Benefit

Canada Dental Benefits (CDB)

In Canada, a third of people do not have dental insurance and, as a result, many go without necessary dental care because it costs too much. In response to this the application portal for the Canada Dental Benefit (CDB) opened December 1 2022, via the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) My Account portal.

Parents or guardians are eligible to apply for the CDB on behalf of their child if, among other criteria:

• they have filed their most recent income tax return;

• they are currently enrolled to receive the Canada Child Benefit for that child;

• they are in a household making less than $90,000 annually as per their most recent income tax return;

• the child does not have access to any employer-provided dental benefits via any parent or guardian;

• the parent or guardian will incur out-of-pocket expenses related to dental care during the eligibility period that is not covered by any other dental program at the provincial, territorial, or federal level.

The CDB provides payments up to $650 per eligible child under age 12, per year for two years, depending on the household income level.

Parents or guardians will be able to apply for this funding once they have made an appointment, but before the appointment takes place, so that they can afford the up-front costs of the treatment provided. Alternatively, they can apply for the CDB after the appointment has taken place, although they will need to pay any up-front costs required.

Unlike most dental coverage, there is no specific fee schedule or list of services associated with the CDB. It can be used to pay for any dental services legally provided by a dentist, dental hygienist or denturist.

Parents or guardians will be required to keep receipts for any dental services received by the child, in case CRA follows up to verify that parent or guardian did incur out-of-pocket costs related to their child’s dental care.

  • The quickest way to apply will be through the CRA’s My Account. Eligible families who are unable to access the Internet can apply through CRA’s client contact centre at 1-800-715-8836. Patients can complete some steps on the site now to make it easier to apply on or after December 1.
  • Most applicants can expect to receive their payments within five business days if they are enrolled for direct deposit, and within 10 business days if they are requesting a cheque by mail.
  • Applications can be made in advance of eligible expenses being incurred (i.e. an application for the benefit can be made ahead of a dental appointment, with the intent that the benefit will be utilized at that appointment) and the CDB can be used retroactively to cover any dental care expenses from
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