Free Braces Programs In Canada (2024)

Braces are a complex medical procedure that improves your smile while also improving your oral and overall health; as a result, they can be expensive. However, to reduce the cost of getting braces, the Canadian government organized a few programs for low-income families so that they will be able to afford these braces in case of emergency. On this note, will be revealing the list of free braces programs Canada and how you can apply for them.

List Of Free Braces Program Canada

Liberal-NDP Dental Care Program

According to the Canadian Parliamentary Budget Officer, the Liberal-NDP Dental Care Program would provide dental coverage to an estimated 6.5 million Canadians. The new Liberal-NDP agreement includes a proposal to establish a national dental care program for low-income Canadians in order to extend Canada’s public health care system.

Families with annual incomes of less than $90,000 who do not have dental insurance would be eligible for coverage under the program. Those earning less than $70,000 per year would also be absolved from co-pays and the flat rate cost that would be required each time a claim is made. In addition, dental bills would be totally reimbursed by the government for any individual or family earning less than $70,000 per year.

The idea is to implement it gradually over three years before the Liberal-NDP pact ends in 2025. Children under the age of 12 would be eligible for the program.

Coverage would be extended to 18-year-olds, elderly, and individuals with impairments in 2023. According to the anticipated timeframe, the initiative would be fully established by 2025.

Smiles 4 Canada

Smiles 4 Canada is a Canadian Association of Orthodontists initiative which accepts children under the age of 14 for free orthodontic treatment under. Financial eligibility is determined based on the federal government’s Federal Low Income Cut-Offs (LICO), which are published by Statistics Canada, and accepted applicants are treated by BC orthodontists who donate their time as well as one set of retainers.

There are also some requirements to meet and If your child is accepted, parents must pay a one-time, non-refundable $500 program administration fee. Parents are also responsible for the cost of replacement retainers, as well as the maintenance of their child’s dental health and transportation to and from appointments.

Information to be Included in the Application

• Patient Information Form: 

This must include some basic information about you, your child, and your family, most notably how to contact you and any other decision-makers in your child’s life.

• Copy of Birth Certificate
• Financial Information form: 

Since Smiles 4 Canada is aimed at lower-income families, specifically those whose total after-tax family income in the preceding two taxation years was less than the Federal Low Income Cut-Offs (LICO). On this note, they require you to provide income information for all of your child’s parents/guardians by providing copies of the Canada Revenue Agency’s Notice of Assessment and your Tax Summary/Tax Returns (T1 General Form that you submit to Canada Revenue Agency) for both 2019 and 2020. During the application process, each of these forms must be uploaded. To be considered, newcomers to Canada must have at least one year of financial information. In lieu of the second year of financial information (NOAs, Tax Return/Summary), the applicant/immigration family’s or landing papers can be submitted. If you are separated or divorced, you will be required to submit a copy of your separation agreement or divorce decree outlining the non-custodial parent’s support payments. The application will be rejected if this is not included.

• Personal Statement Form: 

Since they want your child’s treatment to be successful, one important factor that can help is their personal determination and motivation. The more emotionally invested your child is in the treatment, the more likely he or she will cooperate with the orthodontist and see it through to completion. In this form, you’ll need to share his or her reasons for seeking treatment, and the steps you and your child are willing to take to ensure the treatment’s success. 

• Digital Photos: 

You’ll need to submit six specific digital pictures to help evaluate the severity of your child’s dental problems and the amount of work to be done. During the application process, each photo must be uploaded separately.

• Personal Reference Form: 

The reference is in the form of a letter written by someone other than a relative explaining how the child’s teeth and smile affect him or her, what his or her character is, and what his or her attitude is toward seeing things through to completion, even if the initial results are not dramatic. This document must be scanned or photographed and uploaded with the application.

• Dental Examination Form: 

In order to begin your child’s treatment, they’ll need to understand his or her current and past dental health, as well as his or her commitment to dental care. To do so, you’ll have to submit their Dental Examination Form. Note that this form must be scanned or photographed and uploaded with the application.

How To Get Free Braces In Canada

• Get your children’s documents ready 
• Apply for any of the programs mentioned above
• Submit the required information during application
• Wait for their response
• If chosen, then you’ll become eligible for free braces in Canada

Closing

Although the free braces programs in Canada currently are only available for kids, the government has promised to make it available for adults and teenagers in the years to come. This is because braces cost a lot and to be able to afford braces for all Canadian citizens, it will cost several millions of dollars, hence, the need for a proper preparation.

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