Dental care is expensive, and for years it’s been one of the biggest gaps in Canada’s public health coverage. The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has been closing that gap in phases since it launched, and as of the 2026–27 benefit year, it’s now open to all eligible Canadian residents regardless of age — not just the specific age groups it started with. If you’ve been waiting to see if you’d qualify, this is the guide to check.
What’s New in the 2026 CDCP Expansion
The biggest change for 2026 is that age restrictions are gone. Earlier phases of the CDCP rolled out coverage to seniors, children, and people with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate first — but the plan is now open to all eligible adults, regardless of age. According to the Government of Canada’s statistics page, 5,015,189 people were enrolled for the 2026 to 2027 benefit period as of September 30, 2026, and about 7.65 million unique members have enrolled since launch.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the CDCP, you generally need to meet all of the following:
- Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes
- Have filed your most recent income tax return (your 2025 return determines eligibility for the 2026 benefit year) — and your spouse or common-law partner must have filed too, if applicable
- Have an adjusted family net income under $90,000
- Have no access to dental insurance through an employer or pension benefits, or through a spouse’s or partner’s plan
That last point catches a lot of people off guard — even if you don’t personally use employer-provided dental coverage, having access to it can make you ineligible for the CDCP.
Understanding the Income-Based Co-Pay Structure
The CDCP doesn’t cover 100% of dental costs for everyone — how much you pay out of pocket depends on your adjusted family net income:
| Adjusted Family Net Income | Your Co-Pay |
|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 0% (fully covered at the CDCP fee schedule) |
| $70,000 – $79,999 | 40% |
| $80,000 – $89,999 | 60% |
| $90,000 and above | Not eligible |
How to Apply or Renew for 2026–2027
You can apply online at Canada.ca/dental or by calling the Service Canada CDCP helpline. If you were enrolled in a previous benefit year, you’ll typically need to renew — renewal windows are announced in advance, so check your CDCP correspondence or Canada.ca directly for the current year’s exact dates rather than assuming last year’s schedule still applies.
If you miss a renewal window, you aren’t necessarily locked out. Canada.ca says that if you had coverage for 2025-2026 and did not renew by the deadline, you can re-apply, but you will have a gap in coverage. Check Canada.ca for the current options.
What’s Covered vs. Not Covered
The CDCP covers a broad range of common services at its fee schedule, including:
- Regular exams and cleanings
- X-rays
- Fillings
- Some other preventive and basic restorative procedures
If you already have private dental insurance that doesn’t fully cover your needs, check how the CDCP coordinates with your existing plan — in many cases, you may not be eligible for the CDCP at all if you have access to private coverage, so this is worth confirming before assuming you’ll get both.
FAQ
Can I have the CDCP and private insurance at the same time?
Generally, having access to private dental insurance (through an employer, pension, or a spouse’s plan) makes you ineligible for the CDCP, regardless of whether that private coverage is comprehensive. Confirm your specific situation on Canada.ca before applying.
What if my income changed since my last tax return?
Eligibility is based on your most recently filed tax return, not your current income. If your income has changed significantly, that will typically be reflected the next time your eligibility is reassessed based on a newer tax filing.
Related reading: Already enrolled in the CDCP? You may also qualify for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
This article is for general informational purposes and is not medical, dental, or tax advice. Dental coverage details and income thresholds can change — always confirm current eligibility and co-pay tiers directly on Canada.ca or with Service Canada before making decisions based on this article.
A Worked Example: What a Dental Visit Actually Costs Under Each Tier
The co-pay percentage applies to the CDCP’s established fee for a service, not to whatever your dentist decides to bill. Here is an illustration with made-up round numbers: a filling where the CDCP fee is $200 and the dentist charges $260.
| Adjusted family net income | CDCP pays | Your co-pay on the $200 fee | Extra charge (dentist bills $60 over the fee) | You pay in total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | $200 | $0 | $60 | $60 |
| $70,000 to $79,999 | $120 | $80 | $60 | $140 |
| $80,000 to $89,999 | $80 | $120 | $60 | $180 |
The dollar amounts are examples only. The point is that the Canada.ca coverage page says you may also face additional charges on top of the co-pay, so it is worth asking your provider up front whether they bill above the CDCP fee.
What the Plan Covers, by Category
| Category | Examples listed on Canada.ca |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic and preventive | Exams, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride, sealants |
| Basic | Fillings, root canal treatments, non-surgical gum disease management |
| Major | Crowns, dentures, oral surgery such as tooth removal |
| Sedation or anesthesia | Nitrous oxide and oral sedation; deeper sedation or general anesthesia only with preauthorization |
Orthodontic services are currently not available under the plan. Some services, such as crowns, partial dentures, re-treatment of root canals and general anesthesia, need the CDCP’s approval before the work is done, and not every request is approved. If you want a service that is not covered, you can still go ahead and pay your provider directly.
Are You Eligible? A Quick Check
- Look at your T4 slip. Canada.ca says to check box 45: a 1 means you have no access to dental coverage. On a T4A, check box 015.
- Check your household filing. You and your spouse or common-law partner (if you have one) must both have filed last year’s tax return.
- Check your income. Adjusted family net income starts from line 23600, subtracts UCCB and RDSP income received (lines 11700 and 12500), and adds back UCCB and RDSP amounts repaid (lines 21300 and 23200). It must be under $90,000.
- Check residency. You and your partner must be Canadian residents for tax purposes.
- Government dental programs are different. Canada.ca says that if your coverage comes from a provincial, territorial or federal program, you may still qualify and the plans may coordinate.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming unused employer coverage doesn’t count. Canada.ca says coverage you have makes you ineligible even if you don’t use it, pay for it, or it only covers part of your needs.
- Forgetting to file taxes. One unfiled return in the household, yours or your partner’s, can block eligibility.
- Missing the renewal. Canada.ca currently shows the 2026-27 renewal period as closed. If you had coverage in 2025-26 and did not renew by the deadline, you can re-apply, but you will have a gap in coverage.
- Skipping preauthorization. Having a crown or similar major work done first and asking later risks paying out of pocket.