Question Period Note: Dental Care - Impact of the Canada Dental Benefit on Indigenous people, governments and organizations.

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• The Government of Canada is committed to working closely with Indigenous partners and communities across the country to advance priorities that promote and protect health, including dental care.
• The Canada Dental Benefit would not replace the Non-Insured Health Benefits program, delivered by Indigenous Services Canada. Recipients will continue to have access to the robust dental coverage available to them under the Non-Insured Health Benefits program.
• Non-Insured Health Benefits recipients will be eligible to apply for the benefit if they meet all of the other criteria for the benefit.
• Heath Canada anticipates that, in most cases, the Non-Insured Health Benefits program will meet the needs of recipients and they will not have out of pocket expenses for their dental care, which is a key eligibility requirement of the benefit.

First Nations people and Inuit that receive dental coverage through the NIHB could apply for the Canada Dental Benefit if they meet eligibility criteria. In addition, it is anticipated that the benefit could reach a significant number of Métis people, as well as people without dental coverage living in Indigenous communities.

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program

The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program provides coverage for a range of medically necessary benefits to over 900,000 registered First Nations people and recognized Inuit. All registered First Nations and recognized Inuit residents of Canada are eligible for NIHB benefits, regardless of location or income level, unless otherwise covered under a separate agreement with federal or provincial governments, or through a separate self-government agreement.

As the NIHB program is restricted to First Nations people and Inuit registered under the Indian Act and their children under 18 months, the program captures around half of those with an Indigenous identity.

In 2021-22, dental expenditures through the NIHB program were approximately $300 million, with the majority of expenditures (90%) in fee-for-service (FFS) benefits. FFS dental expenditures generally increase 5-9% per year based on a Consumer Price Index + 0.5% formula. Approximately 2.34 million FFS dental claims were for 314,114 clients (85% of these clients accessed diagnostic services, 70% preventative, and 52% restorative).

Each year, approximately 37% of eligible clients access the NIHB dental benefits available to them. Over two years, this increases to about 50%. There are approximately 25,000 registered service providers providing care to this client population.

• The Canada Dental Benefit does not affect the NIHB program or the amount of funding provided to Indigenous governments and organizations.
• NIHB recipients will continue to have access to the robust dental coverage available to them under that program.
• First Nations and Inuit people that receive dental coverage through the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program will be eligible to apply for the benefit if they meet all of the other criteria for the benefit.
• Government of Canada officials anticipate that, in most cases, NIHB will meet the needs of recipients and that they will not have out of pocket expenses for their dental care, which is a key eligibility requirement of the benefit.
• As part of the broader outreach and communications strategy to promote the Canada Dental Benefit, Health Canada will work with Indigenous organizations and governments to reach potential applicants not covered by NIHB. This includes, but is not limited to, Métis people.