Question Period Note: CANADIAN DENTAL CARE PLAN – SERVICE CANADA DELIVERY

Service Canada manages the application and renewal process for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).

• Since its launch in December 2023, over 4 million Canadians have been enrolled in CDCP. As of April 30, 2025, 1.9 million have received dental care.
• In May 2025, the program expanded and Canadians aged 18 to 64 became eligible for the CDCP. Over 7.2 million letters have been sent inviting individuals to apply, with continued efforts to reach more Canadians. Since expanding the program, almost 400,000 Canadians have registered for the CDCP.
• Clients who currently have CDCP coverage are encouraged to renew for the new benefit year. Renewals were opened in March 2025 and to date, almost 1.9 million eligible Canadians have renewed their dental coverage (covering the period of July 1, 2025- June 30, 2026).
• Canadians can apply or renew for dental care online, by phone, at a Service Canada Centre or scheduled outreach site.
• The government is ensuring Canadians get the dental care they need through a partnership led by Health Canada, with Service Canada, Canada Revenue Agency, and Public Services and Procurement Canada.

Budget 2023 announced $13.0 billion over five years, starting in 2023-2024, and $4.4 billion to implement the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
The CDCP is led by Health Canada and aims to increase dental care coverage by reducing cost barriers to dental care to the greatest extent possible, with a focus on diagnostic, preventative, and restorative services.
It is estimated that up to nine million individuals may be eligible for the plan once fully implemented.
On behalf of Health Canada, Service Canada:
• Promotes, responds to Canadians’ enquiries and provides support in applying for the plan;
• Receives, processes and manages applications; and
• Determines eligibility and communicates enrolment information to applicants (plan members) and to a Third-Party Administrator, Sun Life.
• Sun Life delivers the dental plan coverage to Canadians.

IF PRESSED (HIGH CALL VOLUMES & CALL CENTRE WAIT TIMES)
• As the program is now open to all age groups including the largest cohort of 18–64-year-olds, Service Canada is experiencing a temporary peak in demand. This has led to call centre wait times that are longer than usual.
• Various strategies are being implemented to address wait times:
o Callers are offered the option of receiving a call-back rather than wait on the phone line
o To manage demand, Service Canada staggered the dates for adults to apply.
o Service Canada has more than doubled call centre and processing capacity by reassigning and cross training existing employees.
o Service Canada is increasing capacity at peak periods throughout the day.
• Service Canada will continue to implement improvements to support clients in accessing this important benefit.