St. John's 
In a significant stride toward ensuring access to quality dental care for all Canadians, Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, today announced a $15 million Early Work Agreement with Sun Life to prepare for the Canadian Dental Care Plan’s launch, pending finalization of the main contract.
The federal government is advancing the implementation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan, set to launch by the end of 2023.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan will provide essential oral health care to approximately 9 million uninsured Canadians with an annual family net income of less than $90,000, offering co-pay-free services for families under $70,000. The plan will fully cover all uninsured Canadians with an annual family income under $90,000 by 2025.
The Early Work Agreement worth up to $15 million awarded to Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada follows the procurement process for the plan commenced in July 2022 when Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) issued a Request for Information, soliciting input from industry experts on program requirements.
Per the news release, between January and May 2023, PSPC and Health Canada collaborated with three qualified suppliers to gather feedback, shaping the program’s requirements and the ensuing Request for Proposal (RFP). The contract was finally awarded to Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Sun Life).
The agreement allows Sun Life to undertake pre-contractual work, including recruitment, IT activities, and business planning, ensuring a successful launch of the Canadian Dental Care Plan while the main contract details are finalized. The main contract is anticipated to be awarded in the fall of 2023, pending government approval.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office last March, the Canadian Dental Care Plan will become available to uninsured Canadians under 18, persons with disabilities, and seniors with an annual family income of less than $90,000 by the end of this year.
Per the news release, detailed information about the plan’s implementation will be announced by Health Canada in the upcoming weeks.
