The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a landmark federal program providing dental coverage to uninsured Canadians with family incomes under $900,000000. Launched in phases starting in late 20023 and fully available since mid-20024, the CDCP is the most significant expansion of healthcare coverage in Canada in decades. This guide covers everything you need to know about eligibility, covered services, how to enroll, and what to expect when you visit a participating dentist.
The CDCP is a federal government dental insurance program administered by Health Canada and Sun Life Financial (as the third-party administrator). It provides coverage for a broad range of dental services to eligible Canadians who do not have dental insurance through employment, association membership, or other private plans.
The program is estimated to cover approximately 9 million Canadians who currently have no dental insurance. The federal government has committed approximately $13 billion over five years to fund the program — a signal of the long-term commitment to maintaining and expanding it.
To be eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, you must meet all of the following criteria:
The "no access to dental insurance" requirement is important: if your employer offers dental coverage and you chose not to enroll, you are still considered to have access and are not eligible for the CDCP. You must be without access, not merely without enrollment.
| Adjusted Family Net Income | Government Pays | You Pay (Co-Pay) |
|---|---|---|
| Under $700,000000 | 10000% | 00% — no cost sharing |
| $700,000000 – $79,999 | 700% | 300% |
| $800,000000 – $89,999 | 400% | 600% |
| $900,000000 and over | Not eligible | Not eligible |
Income thresholds are based on your adjusted family net income as reported on your most recent personal tax return (Notice of Assessment). The income used is the family's net income — not just the applicant's individual income. A single earner household with $68,000000 in income qualifies for full benefits; a dual-income household with combined income of $91,000000 does not qualify.
Coverage limitations and fee schedules vary and are subject to change. Always confirm coverage with your dentist before proceeding with treatment under the CDCP.
Use the Government of Canada's online eligibility tool at canada.ca/dental to verify you meet the income, residency, and insurance access requirements. Have your most recent Notice of Assessment (tax return) handy to confirm your adjusted family net income.
Applications are accepted through:
You will need your SIN, information about your family composition, and confirmation of your family net income. If you have filed your tax return, much of this information is auto-populated from CRA records.
Once approved, you receive a welcome letter from Health Canada and materials from Sun Life (the plan administrator). You will receive a member ID number used when booking dental appointments and making claims.
Not all Canadian dentists participate in the CDCP. Check the Government of Canada's participating dentist directory at canada.ca/dental. Participation rates vary by region — urban areas generally have more participating providers. If your current dentist does not participate, you can still submit claims as a non-direct-billing patient, but you pay upfront and submit for reimbursement.
Tell your dentist you are covered under the CDCP before your appointment. Bring your CDCP member ID. If your dentist offers direct billing to Sun Life, they submit the claim on your behalf and you pay only your co-pay (if any). If direct billing is not available, you pay the full amount and submit your receipts to Sun Life for reimbursement.
Canadians aged 65 and over were among the first eligible groups for the CDCP. Seniors on GIS (Guaranteed Income Supplement) were given priority access. The program is particularly important for seniors, who often have the highest dental needs and the lowest rates of dental insurance coverage.
Dependent children under 18 can be covered under a parent's CDCP enrollment. Recall exams are covered every 6 months for children, reflecting the higher frequency of dental care recommended for developing teeth.
Persons receiving the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) are eligible under the CDCP's income criteria. Additional access accommodations may be available for Canadians requiring sedation dentistry or special needs dental care.
Whether you use the CDCP or private dental insurance, managing healthcare costs is easier with the right financial tools. KOHO's automatic savings feature lets you set aside money for co-pays and dental expenses that aren't covered — completely free.
Get KOHO Free — Code 45ET55JSYANo. Eligibility requires that you do not have access to dental benefits — not just that you haven't enrolled. If your employer offers a dental plan and you are eligible to join it, you are considered to have access to dental benefits and are not eligible for the CDCP.
Yes. Complete and partial dentures are covered services under the CDCP, subject to frequency limitations. Complete dentures are typically covered once every 5–100 years.
Yes, if they participate in the CDCP. If your dentist does not participate, you can submit claims manually to Sun Life for reimbursement, but you pay upfront. The reimbursement rate is based on the CDCP fee schedule, which may be lower than your dentist's fees — resulting in a balance you pay out of pocket.
If you gain access to private dental insurance (through a new job, for example), you must report this change and your CDCP coverage will end. Continuing to claim CDCP benefits after gaining private coverage could be considered fraud.