Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP) 2026 | Eligibility, Coverage & How to Apply

The Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal government program that provides dental coverage to Canadians who do not have private dental insurance and whose family net income is below $90,000. There are no monthly premiums — you simply apply, receive a member card, and bring it to any participating dental provider. Depending on your income, the plan covers between 40% and 100% of eligible dental fees.

The program is now in full operation across all provinces and territories. As of 2026, more than 9 million Canadians are eligible and enrollment is open year-round — there is no application deadline. The CDCP coordinates with provincial dental programs so many Canadians can maximize coverage from both sources.

This guide covers everything you need to know: who qualifies, what is covered, how co-pays work, how to apply, and how to use the plan at your next dental visit.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for the CDCP, you must meet all of the following:

“Access to” private insurance matters. You are ineligible even if you have not enrolled in an available employer dental plan. If your employer offers dental coverage and you are entitled to enrol, you are considered to have “access to” private insurance and do not qualify for the CDCP — even if you chose not to sign up.

Who is NOT eligible:

• Anyone who has private dental insurance through themselves, a spouse/common-law partner, or a parent’s plan
• Members of the Canadian Armed Forces or RCMP (covered under separate federal programs)
• Refugees or protected persons covered under the Interim Federal Health Program
• Federal penitentiary inmates
• Families with adjusted family net income of $90,000 or more

If you gain access to private dental insurance after enrolling in the CDCP — for example because you start a new job with dental benefits — you are required to notify the program. Continuing to use the CDCP when you have private coverage is considered misuse of the benefit.

Co-pay structure by income

The CDCP has no monthly premiums. Instead, you pay a share of costs at the time of service based on your family income. The plan’s share is based on the provincial dental fee guide rates — not the dentist’s actual charge. If your dentist charges more than the fee guide, the difference is your responsibility in addition to any co-pay.

Income is based on your adjusted family net income from your most recent filed tax return. This includes your income plus a spouse or common-law partner’s income if you have one.

Example costs at a dental visit

To understand what the co-pay means in dollar terms, here are typical 2026 fee guide amounts for common procedures:

These are illustrative figures based on provincial fee guides — actual amounts vary by province. Ask your dentist for a treatment plan and cost estimate before agreeing to major work so you know your expected out-of-pocket cost.

What the CDCP covers

Preventive services

Preventive care is fully covered for eligible recipients and has the most generous frequency limits. These services are the best way to get value from the plan immediately.

A high-risk patient is someone with a documented history of gum disease, high cavity risk, dry mouth from medications, or other conditions that increase dental disease likelihood. Your dentist documents this in their claim submission.

Restorative services

Restorative treatment repairs damaged or decayed teeth. The CDCP covers both amalgam (silver) and composite (white) fillings at fee guide rates. If you choose a more expensive material for cosmetic reasons, you may pay the difference.

Other covered services

What is NOT covered

The following services are explicitly excluded from the CDCP regardless of income level:

• Cosmetic procedures: teeth whitening, veneers placed for aesthetic reasons
• Dental implants (except rare medically necessary cases — not standard)
• Orthodontics for adults (braces, Invisalign, retainers)
• Sedation and general anaesthesia (except where surgically required)
• Dental procedures not prescribed by a licensed dentist or regulated oral health provider
• Procedures that exceed the provincial dental fee guide rates (you pay the difference)

The CDCP for seniors

Seniors aged 65 and older were the first Canadians to gain access to the CDCP, with enrollment starting in December 2023. If you are a senior who receives the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), your information was shared directly with Health Canada to simplify enrollment — many GIS recipients were invited to apply without having to initiate the process themselves.

The CDCP is particularly valuable for seniors because the services most commonly needed by older Canadians — dentures, extractions, root canals, gum treatment, and annual cleanings — are all covered. Complete and partial dentures are covered in full for seniors with family income under $70,000.

Seniors on fixed incomes (typically GIS recipients) with family income under $70,000 pay nothing out of pocket for any covered service. This includes:

• Full or partial dentures (complete replacement)
• Denture repairs and relines
• All extractions, including surgical
• Root canals
• Annual cleanings and exams
• Fillings

Seniors should also check provincial programs. Many provinces offer supplemental dental benefits for seniors receiving provincial income support that stack on top of the CDCP. See the provincial programs section below.

How to apply for the CDCP

Enrollment is open year-round — there is no application deadline or limited intake window. The process takes 4–8 weeks from application to receiving your member card.

What you need before applying

• Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and date of birth
• The SIN and date of birth for each family member you are enrolling
• Confirmation that you do not have access to private dental insurance
• Your current mailing address on file with the CRA (your card ships here)
• Your most recent tax return filed (must be assessed, not just submitted)

If you are not sure whether your tax return has been assessed, log in to My CRA Account and check under “Tax returns.” Your notice of assessment should be there if the return has been processed.

How to apply

Online is fastest. The online portal pre-fills your income information from your CRA account, which reduces processing time and errors. Phone and in-person applications go through the same process but may take slightly longer to process due to manual data entry.

After you apply

1. Processing (4–8 weeks): Health Canada verifies your eligibility against CRA tax data and confirms you do not have access to private coverage
2. Member card mailed: A physical CDCP member card is mailed to your address on file with the CRA. If your address is wrong, update it at My CRA Account before applying
3. Use your card: Bring the card to any participating dental provider. Your provider bills the plan directly — you only pay your co-pay (if any) at the visit

If you have not received your card after 8 weeks, call 1-833-537-4342 to check the status of your application.

Renewing your coverage

CDCP coverage is tied to your annual tax filing. You must file your tax return each year to maintain eligibility. The plan uses your most recently assessed return to determine your income tier and co-pay level. If your income changes significantly from year to year, your co-pay may go up or down on renewal.

Using your CDCP card at the dentist

Once you have your member card, using the plan at a dental visit works like this:

1. Find a participating provider. Use the provider search at canada.ca/dental to confirm your dentist accepts the CDCP. As of 2026, approximately 85% of Canadian general dentists are registered with the program.
2. Book your appointment. Tell the office you have CDCP coverage when booking. Some offices require advance notice to ensure they submit claims correctly.
3. Bring your member card. Present your CDCP card at the front desk before your appointment. The dental office scans or enters your member ID.
4. Your dentist bills the plan directly. For covered services, the plan pays the fee guide rate directly to your provider. You pay only your co-pay amount (if any) at the visit.
5. If your dentist charges above fee guide rates: Some dentists charge more than the provincial fee guide. The CDCP covers up to the fee guide rate — you pay the co-pay plus any amount above the guide. Ask your dentist if they “direct bill” at fee guide rates to avoid surprises.

Provider participation by type (2026 estimates):

CDCP vs. private dental insurance

The CDCP is not intended to compete with comprehensive private plans. It is a safety net for Canadians who would otherwise have no dental coverage at all. If your employer offers dental benefits, you should enrol in that plan — it is likely more comprehensive, and having access to it disqualifies you from the CDCP anyway.

When private insurance is worth considering separately

Even if you currently qualify for the CDCP, you may want private coverage eventually if:

• Your income is approaching $90,000 and you expect to be ineligible soon
• You need adult orthodontic treatment (Invisalign, braces)
• You need dental implants
• You need sedation dentistry
• Your dentist routinely charges above fee guide rates and the difference adds up

Provincial dental programs (in addition to CDCP)

The CDCP coordinates with provincial programs — you can claim from both. The plan pays first and the provincial program pays second, or vice versa depending on the province’s rules, meaning eligible Canadians may have close to full coverage by combining both sources.

Contact your provincial health authority or 211 (the social services referral line) to find out what programs are available in your province and whether you qualify.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for the CDCP if I just moved to Canada? You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes and have filed a Canadian tax return to be assessed for eligibility. New permanent residents who have not yet filed a Canadian return are generally not yet eligible — you must file at least one return first. Temporary foreign workers and international students may not qualify depending on their residency status.

My child is on my spouse’s private dental plan but I have no coverage. Can I apply for myself? Your own eligibility is separate from your family members’. However, if your spouse has family coverage that technically includes you (even if you are not actively using it), you would be considered to have “access to” private coverage. Each person’s eligibility depends on whether they personally have access to private coverage, not just whether their family members do. If your employer offers you no dental coverage and you are not a dependent on anyone else’s plan, you may be eligible.

What happens if I apply and am rejected? If your application is denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. The most common reasons for denial are having access to private dental coverage or having family income above $90,000. You can appeal the decision by calling 1-833-537-4342 or submitting a reconsideration request within 90 days. If your circumstances change (for example, you lose your employer dental benefits), you can re-apply.

Does the CDCP cover emergency dental work if I’m travelling in another province? Yes. The CDCP is a national program and your member card works at any participating provider across Canada, regardless of which province you normally live in. If you need emergency dental care while travelling, find a participating provider in that province using the online tool at canada.ca/dental.

I received my card but it expired before I used it. What do I do? CDCP coverage is renewed based on your annual tax return — if your card has expired and you are still eligible, call 1-833-537-4342 to have a new card issued. Expired cards from a prior year will not work at dental offices.

Tips to maximize your CDCP benefits

• File your taxes every year. Eligibility is based on your most recent assessed return. If you do not file, your coverage will not renew.
• Update your CRA address before applying. Your member card ships to the address on file with the CRA. An outdated address means your card goes to the wrong place, and replacement cards take 2–4 weeks.
• Book preventive care first. Cleanings, exams, and X-rays are the highest-value, most straightforward services under the plan. Book these first to establish a relationship with a participating dentist.
• Ask for a treatment plan and pre-authorization for major work. Before committing to a crown, dentures, or root canal, ask your dentist to submit a pre-authorization to the plan so you know exactly what will be covered and what your co-pay will be.
• Check whether your dentist bills at fee guide rates. If your dentist charges above the provincial fee guide, you pay the difference on top of your co-pay. Dentists who “direct bill” at the fee guide rate minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
• Combine with provincial programs if you qualify for additional coverage from your province.
• Report changes in insurance status. If you gain access to private dental insurance, you must notify the CDCP. Using the plan when you have private coverage is misuse of the benefit.

Related reading

• EI Contribution Rates 2026
• Canada Workers Benefit 2026
• Complete Canadian Tax Guide for Beginners 2026
• All Government Benefit Payment Dates 2026

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