Dentists urge parents to get free checkups for eligible kids

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This article was published 06/12/2022 (1061 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE Manitoba Dental Association is seeking to get the word out to more than 49,000 families in the province whose children under 12 could be getting free checkups and fillings.

On Dec. 1, the federal government rolled out the interim Canada Dental Benefit to help lower dental costs for eligible families making less than $90,000 per year who don’t have dental coverage.

“There is a messaging campaign being planned and it should be released soon,” said Thomas Colina, president of the Manitoba Dental Association.

The federal plan covers dental expenses retroactively to Oct. 1, 2022. It provides payments up to $650 per child, per year.

Families with an adjusted net income under $70,000 would be provided with $650 for each eligible child under 12. If the family income is between $70,000 and $79,999, they’d be provided with $390 per eligible child. Those with incomes between $80,000 and $89,999 could get $260 for each child under 12.

To access the dental benefit, parents or guardians of eligible children can apply online or by phone (1-800-715-8836) through the Canada Revenue Agency.

The association representing Manitoba dentists said oral health is part of overall health, and the sooner it’s taken care of, the better.

“The great thing about this program is it will allow dentists to see very young patients,” Colina said.

That will set them on a path toward good oral health for a lifetime, he said. Children should see a dentist six months after getting their first tooth, he added.

The federal government estimates 500,000 children under age 12 would have access to the Canada Dental Benefit, with more than 49,000 families in Manitoba below the $90,000 per year income threshold without private insurance.

Colina said there are 650 registered practising dentists in Manitoba — 27 of whom are pediatric dentists (or pedodontists).

Unlike the physician shortage in Manitoba, where people struggle to find a family doctor, there are enough dentists in the province to meet the demand if all 49,000 eligible families avail themselves of the federal program, the association president said.

However, if the next phase of the Canada Dental Benefit is rolled out for seniors, as many expect, demand for dentists in Manitoba may be an issue, he said. “That might bring us some concerns.”

Although Manitoba Health provides health-care coverage, it does not cover dental health costs. The province does pay for basic dental care costs such as exams, cleaning and extractions for those receiving Employment and Income Assistance.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca