Canadian Dental Care Plan news: Coverage expanding on May 1

How to apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan

Starting on May 1, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)—a federal program designed to make dental care more affordable for those Canadians without access to dental insurance—will be open to more age groups. 

Here’s when you can apply for the CDCP, if you’re between 18 and 64 years old:

The CDCP is already accepting applications from the following groups, for the coverage period ending on June 30, 2025:

• Adults aged 65 or older
• Adults with a valid disability tax credit certificate for 2023
• Children under age 18

You can apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan online. For the current coverage period, you will need to have filed your 2023 income tax return and received your notice of assessment (NOA).

What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

Announced by the Liberal government as part of its 2023 budget, the CDCP aims to improve access to dental care for Canadians with an adjusted net family income below $90,000 and no private insurance. 

Application dates for the CDCP have been rolling out gradually since the end of 2023, starting with the Canada Dental Benefit (CDB) for kids under age 12. As of late March 2025, more than 3.4 million Canadians were approved to participate in the CDCP, and nearly 1.7 million received care, according to government data. About 25,000 oral health providers are currently participating in the program. Eligible providers include dentists, dental hygienists, dental specialists, denturists, and dental schools and educational institutions for oral health professions.

Who can apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

To be eligible for the CDCP, Canadians must meet these four requirements:

• No access to dental insurance
• You and your spouse/common-law-partner (if applicable) must have filed your tax returns in Canada for the previous year
• Your adjusted family net income is less than $90,000
• You’re a Canadian resident for tax purposes

If you already have dental coverage through a provincial, territorial or federal government social program, you can still qualify for the CDCP. Your benefits will be co-ordinated between programs.

What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan Status Checker?

The CDCP Status Checker is an online tool you can use to check the progress of your Canadian Dental Care Plan application, for yourself or your child. Access the Canadian Dental Care Plan Status Checker.

What does the Canadian Dental Care Plan cover?

The CDCP pays a portion of the cost for a wide range of oral health care services, including:

• Diagnostic and preventive services such as dental exams, cleanings and X-rays
• Basic services such as fillings and other cavity treatments
• Major services such as tooth restoration (crowns and posts), prosthodontic services (dentures) and oral surgery (tooth extractions, tumour removal and more)
• Anaesthesia or sedation services
• Orthodontic services, to be added in 2025

How much does the Canadian Dental Care Plan cover?

CDCP coverage ranges from 40% to 100% of the service cost, at CDCP established fees. Your level of coverage depends on your adjusted family net income (AFNI).

_{Source: Government of Canada}

Note that if the cost of services is higher than what the CDCP covers, you may face additional charges (no matter what your family income is), paid directly to your oral health provider. 

The government advises: “Before receiving oral health care, you should always ask your oral health provider about any costs that won’t be covered by the plan. Make sure you know what you’ll have to pay directly to your oral health provider before accepting and receiving treatment.” See examples of CDCP co-payments.

When can you renew your Canadian Dental Care Plan coverage?

Canadians already enrolled in the CDCP can renew their coverage for 2025–2026 after filing their 2024 income tax return and receiving their NOA from the CRA. 

You can renew using the Canadian Dental Care Plan online renewal application. You’ll need to have your client number handy—check your renewal letter from Service Canada or your CDCP member card.

More about government benefits:

• CPP payment dates, and more to know about the Canada Pension Plan
• OAS payment dates, and more to know about Old Age Security
• CCB payment dates, and more to know about the Canada Child Benefit
• Alberta Child and Family Benefit payment dates
• The benefits and flexibility of family RESPs

The post Canadian Dental Care Plan news: Coverage expanding on May 1 appeared first on MoneySense.