Atlantic Canada receives $4.7M for dental care projects

Minister of Health Marjorie Michel announced on Monday that close to six million Canadians are now covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), and more than 370,000 of them are in Atlantic Canada.

More than $35 million to the Oral Health Access Fund (OHAF) was also announced by Michel, of which $4.7 million will go to five projects in the Atlantic region. More than $2 million will go to Dalhousie University for enhancing training for dental hygiene and dentistry students.

The projects will improve training for dental students through hands-on experience and strengthen efforts to improve access to care.

“In communities across Atlantic Canada, we understand the value of receiving care close to home. As more people begin to receive dental care through the Canadian Dental Care Plan, we’re ensuring that we have the capacity and skillset to meet the needs of Atlantic Canadians. The work of our government is ensuring that Canadians can receive barrier-free care, where and when it matters most,” said Shannon Miedema, Member of Parliament for Halifax.

The CDCP saves an average of $800 per year on oral health care services for eligible Canadians, a federal news release reads.

“Thanks to the CDCP Canadians are now receiving the preventive care they need, and this program is only possible because of the commitment and participation of almost all oral providers across the country. Our support to new training projects will not only empower the next generation of oral health professionals, but also contribute to lower costs for families,” Michel said.

There are more than 27,000 oral health providers in Canada participating in the CDCP. The services offered through this plan are cleanings, fillings and dentures.

Eligible Canadians can apply online. To qualify, applicants must:

• not have access to dental insurance
• have filed their individual 2024 tax return in Canada (and their spouse’s or common-law partner’s, if applicable)
• have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000
• be a Canadian resident for tax purposes

The OHAF is a grants and contributions program led by Health Canada and designed to complement the CDCP.