Health Canada revealed on Tuesday that a significant number of individuals were mistakenly granted coverage under the public dental insurance program. Approximately 70,000 individuals were initially approved for coverage but were later found to be ineligible or had been assessed incorrectly for copayment levels, according to a Health Canada news release. Among those inaccurately assessed, around 28,000 individuals actually received treatment under the program.
The error was linked to the calculation of income for some applicants during the eligibility assessment process. Health Canada stated that a system fix has been put in place to rectify this issue. Those who received care under the program will not be required to repay the amount covered by the public insurance plan.
Health Canada has highlighted that over five million Canadians are covered by the plan, yet only about three million have utilized the coverage. The national insurance program subsidizes dental care costs for Canadian residents with a family net income below $90,000 if they lack access to private insurance.
The program supports various dental procedures such as cleanings, fillings, and dentures. On average, each patient has had $800 in expenses covered annually, as stated by Health Canada. The Canadian Dental Care Plan was initially introduced in May 2024 for seniors, followed by children and Canadians eligible for the disability tax credit. By May 2025, it had extended to include all eligible Canadians.
This multibillion-dollar public insurance initiative was established through the support of the NDP, which backed the previous Trudeau Liberal minority government in the House of Commons for two years in exchange for significant social programs like dental care.