Health Canada announced on Tuesday that a significant number of individuals were mistakenly granted coverage under the public dental insurance program. The agency revealed that around 70,000 people were initially approved for coverage but were later found to be ineligible or were assessed incorrectly for copayment levels. Among those inaccurately assessed, approximately 28,000 individuals went on to receive dental care under the program.
According to Health Canada, an error was identified in the calculation of income for certain applicants during the eligibility determination process. The agency has already implemented a system fix to rectify this issue. Importantly, individuals who received care under the program will not be required to repay the costs covered by the public insurance plan.
While Health Canada has highlighted that over five million Canadians are covered by the plan, only about three million have utilized the coverage so far. The national insurance program subsidizes dental care expenses for Canadian residents with a family net income below $90,000 who lack access to private insurance. The program supports various dental procedures such as cleanings, fillings, and dentures, with an average annual coverage of $800 per patient.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan was introduced in May 2024 for seniors, followed by children and Canadians eligible for the disability tax credit. By May 2025, the program expanded to include all eligible Canadians. This multibillion-dollar public insurance initiative was established through an agreement with the NDP, which supported the previous Trudeau Liberal minority government in the House of Commons in exchange for key social programs like dental care.