Canada Dental Benefit

The new Canada Dental Benefit is an interim financial support measure that would be administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It provides payments over a two-year period for children under 12 years old if they receive dental care for which the parent has out of pocket costs and does not have access to a private dental insurance plan.

Children already covered under another government dental program may also be eligible if not all dental care expenses are paid by that program.

The CRA began receiving applications and processing payments for the benefit on December 1, 2022.

• Dental care services: The Canada Dental Benefit can be used to cover any oral health services provided by an oral health professional, including dental hygienists who are licensed to practise in the applicant’s province or territory.
• Eligibility: Applicants must have filed the previous year’s tax return and be in receipt of the Canada Child Benefit for each eligible child in their care. Applicants will be asked to provide information about their dental professional and employer to help confirm eligibility. The CRA will verify information in its existing tax and Canada Child Benefit systems to determine eligibility when parents or guardians apply.
• If children are covered under other government programs: Eligibility is not impacted by coverage under provincial, territorial or other federal programs. In order to claim the Canada Dental Benefit, applicants covered under provincial, territorial or other federal programs must have out-of-pocket expenses. If all their expenses are covered by another program, they are not eligible.
• Important dates: Applications open on December 1, 2022 through the CRA. The benefit will cover dental care expenses retroactive to October 1, 2022, for qualifying children and families who were eligible as of the December 1, 2022.
• Benefit periods: There are two benefit periods. The first period is October 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. The second period is July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
• Receipts: Applicants will need to demonstrate their eligibility by keeping receipts for a period of six years.
• Other government benefits: The Canada Dental Benefit does not reduce other federal income-tested benefits such as the Canada Workers Benefit, the Canada Child Benefit, and the Goods and Services Tax Credit.