Volume 10 • 2023 • Issue 1

Launch of the Canada Dental Benefit The Canada Dental Benefit (CDB), an interim measure to provide direct, up-front, tax-free payments to offset out-of-pocket dental care expenses for Canadian children under age 12 in low-income households, formally launched on December 1, 2022. To mark the launch of the CDB, Dr. Lynn Tomkins, CDA president, joined Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, at an event at Western University’s Schulich School of Dentistry in London, Ontario. “Oral health is an essential component of overall health,” said Dr. Tomkins. “Visiting the dentist early and regularly is an important way for a child to get started on their journey to a lifetime of good oral health. Thanks to the Canada Dental Benefit, more children across Canada will get access to the dental care they need to have healthy teeth, mouths, and smiles.” “Many children in low-income households are not getting the dental care they need. But as parents, we recognize that dental care is an essential part of children’s health and wellbeing. Our government has always been Dr. LynnTomkins, CDApresident, with PrimeMinister JustinTrudeau, wearing the official CDA tartan scarf, designed byDr. CarolMartin. Photo: AdamScotti, Office of the PrimeMinister 9 Issue 1 | 2023 |

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTE5MTI=