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Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP): apply and renew

Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked

Short answer

The Canadian Dental Care Plan helps cover dental care for residents who have no dental insurance and a family income below the plan's limit.

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Who can apply

  • Your adjusted family net income must be under $90,000. You, and your spouse or partner if you have one, must have filed a tax return in Canada and be Canadian residents for tax purposes.

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  • You cannot have access to any private dental insurance, including a health spending account, through your job, pension, a family member's plan, or a professional or student organization. This applies even if you never use it or chose not to enrol.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

Steps

  1. Apply online in My Service Canada Account or on Canada.ca. If you cannot apply online, call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342 (TTY 1-833-677-6262).

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  2. After you apply, you get a letter or email confirming enrolment with your member ID, co-payment level and coverage start date. Do not book care before that start date.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

What you need

  • For each person applying, have the SIN (if a child has one), date of birth, full name, addresses and any government dental coverage. Your spouse or partner must send their own application to be covered.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

Cost

  • There is no fee to apply for or renew the CDCP. Be wary of anyone asking for payment or banking details to sign you up.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

How long it takes

  • Coverage runs for one benefit period that ends each June 30, and members must renew every year. Renewals for 2027 to 2028 open in spring 2027.

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Good to know

  • Before applying, check box 45 on your T4 slip or box 015 on your T4A slip. A 1 means your employer or pension plan reported that you have no dental coverage through them.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

  • Orthodontic services, such as braces, are not currently covered.

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Questions people ask

What does the Canadian Dental Care Plan cover?

It helps pay for exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, root canals, gum treatment, crowns, dentures, extractions and sedation. Some services need approval first, and orthodontics is not available.

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Do I have to pay the full cost upfront?

No. The plan pays your oral health provider directly. You should only pay your co-payment or any extra charges to the provider.

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I missed the CDCP renewal deadline. Can I still get coverage?

Yes, you can send a new application, but there will be a gap until it is approved. Dental care you get during that gap is not covered and is not paid back later.

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Can I get the CDCP if I have government dental coverage?

Yes, you could still qualify if your dental coverage comes from a federal, provincial or territorial government program. The plans coordinate so services are not paid twice.

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Cite this page

Canada Service Map, "Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP): apply and renew", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/dental-care