The plan is to introduce this in three phases starting later on this year with children under the age of 12 becoming eligible for this program. In 2023 the program will be extended to up to 18-year-old teenagers, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Eventually, by 2025 all Canadians will be eligible for this program.
"This will make a huge difference in the life of Canadian seniors who often turn to hospital emergency rooms when dental issues arise" according to Laura Watts, CEO of CanAge, a senior advocacy group. She went on to say that "We know that ERs are overwhelmingly the country's dentists of seniors and that should not be the case."