Did you know that one in four Canadians skip going to the dentist because they can’t afford it? That’s millions of people missing out on vital care. For dental organizations and community health programs, this creates a heartbreaking challenge.
People are left suffering from pain, infections, and untreated issues simply because they can’t afford help. The cost of not doing anything is high—for patients, for communities, and for the providers who want to make a difference.
Now, imagine what’s possible with a mobile dental clinic. Bringing care directly to underserved neighborhoods removes barriers like cost and access and creates opportunities for your organization to grow its impact. The Canadian Dental Care Plan offers a way to bridge this gap and ensure care reaches those who need it most.
For over 20 years, our team at MoveMobility has been creating innovative vehicles to break down barriers to healthcare. From mobile clinics to accessible transportation, our mission is to help your organization save lives and expand your reach. We’re here to guide you through understanding the Canadian Dental Care Plan and how it can align with a mobile dental clinic to make a real impact.
What you’ll learn in this article
- What the Canadian Dental Care Plan is
- How a mobile dental clinic fits into the big picture
- The benefits of leveraging the plan for your organization
Let’s explore how you can make a difference with a mobile dental clinic.
What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a new initiative by the Government of Canada designed to make dental care more affordable and accessible. It’s part of a broader effort to improve oral health for Canadians and reduce the barriers millions face when seeking dental services.
Key details about the CDCP:
Budget and timeline: The government has committed $13 billion over five years and $4.4 billion annually to roll out this program. Once fully implemented, it’s expected to help up to 9 million Canadians access affordable oral health care.
Who qualifies for the plan?
To be eligible, individuals must meet these criteria:
- No access to dental insurance through work, private plans, or other programs.
- Family income is under $90,000 annually.
- Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
- Have filed taxes for the previous year.
Who can apply first?
- The rollout prioritizes seniors aged 87 and older, and that started in December 2023.
- By May 2024, the program expanded to seniors aged 65+ and individuals with a Disability Tax Credit certificate.
- Applications for children under 18 opened in June 2024, with full accessibility for all eligible residents by 2025.
What makes this plan unique, and why does it matter?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan isn’t designed to replace existing dental insurance. Instead, it fills gaps for those who lack coverage and complements provincial and territorial dental programs. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that more Canadians—especially underserved populations—receive essential oral health care.
Poor oral health is connected to major health issues like diabetes complications, cardiovascular disease, and even mental health challenges. The CDCP is a step toward bridging these gaps and improving the quality of life for millions.
This plan provides an opportunity for dental organizations to play a big role in delivering care where it’s needed across Canada.
How can a mobile dental clinic benefit from the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is opening new doors for Canadians to get affordable dental care. For your dental organization, this means a huge opportunity. Millions of Canadians who couldn’t afford care before will now be able to get it. And if you have a mobile dental clinic, you can reach them right where they are.
Mobile dental clinics solve the biggest problem: Transportation
Getting to a dental office is hard for many people. Some don’t have transportation, some live in rural and isolated areas, while others can’t find the time in their busy schedules for regular check-ups. Mobile dental clinics solve these problems.
You come to them: Instead of waiting for patients to show up, you take your dental services directly to communities, workplaces, schools, and other spots.
Prevent bigger issues: Regular check-ups catch problems early, saving teeth and avoiding more serious health issues. When people trust your clinic for these smaller needs, they’ll look to you for bigger procedures too.
Growing trust leads to bigger opportunities
When you show up for people with mobile dental care right where they need you, they remember.
Start small, grow big: Patients who experience convenient care through your mobile dental clinic are more likely to return for treatments like fillings or extractions.
Create loyalty: Being the clinic that makes things easy builds trust and connections. This can lead to repeat visits and referrals, naturally growing your business.
More patients mean more growth
The Canadian Dental Care Plan for seniors, children, families, and other underserved groups will connect millions to dental care. This is your organization’s chance to reach them.
Expand your market: Millions of Canadians now qualify for affordable dental care under the CDCP. Many will need a trusted provider for their oral health needs. You can fill that gap and be that next dental provider for them.
Go mobile to serve rural areas: A mobile dental clinic can bring care to remote communities where options are limited. This helps you stand out as a provider who truly cares.
Now Is the perfect time
The launch of the CDCP and its application process make this the right moment to expand into mobile dental services.
Meet seniors’ needs: Many seniors, especially those living in rural areas, face huge challenges getting to appointments. A mobile dental clinic makes it easy for them to get care.
Tap into growing demand: As people learn how to apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, your clinic can step up as the go-to option for care.
Imagine this:
Think about a retirement home in a rural part of Canada. The closest dental office is 6 hours away, and most residents don’t drive. With the Canadian Dental Care Plan, these seniors now have access to dental coverage but face the barrier of no dentist nearby. A mobile dental clinic arrives in their community, providing check-ups, cleanings, and even fillings—all without them needing to leave home.
One resident, Mrs. Thompson, hasn’t seen a dentist in 3 years due to cost and travel challenges. After her first appointment, she says her mouth feels better than it has in months. Her smile lights up as she tells her friends about the care she received. That connection builds trust, and now she recommends your clinic to her family and friends in nearby communities.
This is what a mobile dental clinic can do: change lives, build relationships, and grow your organization.
Overcome dental barriers with the Canadian Dental Care Plan
Many of you came here wondering how the Canadian Dental Care Plan could help your organization make dental care more accessible. We’ve explored the challenges people face, like transportation and affordability, and how mobile dental clinics can really help in conjunction with this new initiative.
At MoveMobility, we understand the challenges organizations face when trying to reach underserved populations, and we’re proud to be part of the solution. Our focus is always on creating innovative, personalized solutions that help you deliver life-changing care. We know your mission isn’t just about running a business; it’s about making a difference. That’s why we’re here to support you every step of the way.
If you have any questions, click the button below to connect with a mobility expert. We’d love to help you explore how a mobile dental clinic can fit into your organization and the future of dental care.
If you’re not ready to talk to an expert yet, we have plenty of other resources to help you learn more about making dental care accessible.
Start by checking out our article on how mobile dental clinics can help communities without dentists.
After that, read our comparison between mobile dental clinics and regular dental clinics to see which option is the better fit for your organization.
FAQ: Canadian Dental Care Plan
Q: What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan, and how can it benefit dental organizations?
A: The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a government initiative designed to make dental care accessible and affordable for uninsured Canadians, particularly low-income families, seniors, and children.
For dental organizations, this plan provides an opportunity to expand services to underserved areas using mobile dental clinics. These clinics can bridge the gap for communities where access to traditional dental offices is limited, ensuring that patients can take full advantage of the plan’s coverage.
Q: What dental services are covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan, and how does this align with mobile clinics?
A: The plan covers essential dental services, including exams, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, dentures, extractions, and even certain advanced treatments like root canals and deep scaling.
Mobile dental clinics are perfectly suited to deliver these services directly to communities, enabling organizations to maximize the use of government funding while increasing their patient reach.
Q: Who qualifies for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, and how can dental organizations serve these groups?
A: The plan is open to Canadian residents with incomes under $90,000, without existing dental insurance, and who have filed tax returns. Special eligibility also applies to seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities.
Mobile dental clinics can be a game-changer for reaching these populations, particularly in rural and remote regions.
