Canadian Dental Care Plan guide
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP): Coverage, Eligibility, and Costs
The CDCP launched in 2024 and expanded in 2025 to cover more Canadians and more procedures. This guide explains who qualifies, what's covered, and how to use your CDCP benefit for dental work.
Key takeaways
- Eligibility: Canadian residents with net family income under CA$90,000 who have no private dental insurance
- Children under 18, seniors 65+, and adults with disabilities are highest-priority groups
- CDCP covers preventive, restorative, and some major dental care — not fully cosmetic procedures
- Orthodontics: covered only for medically necessary cases in children under 18 (as of 2025)
- Dental implants: not currently covered under CDCP for most cases
- You can check eligibility and enroll at canada.ca/dental
Who qualifies for the CDCP?
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a Canadian resident with a valid SIN
- Have filed a tax return for the previous year
- Have an adjusted net family income of less than CA$90,000
- Have no private dental insurance (employer plans, union plans, or individual plans disqualify you)
Coverage rates are income-tested: households earning under CA$70,000 receive 100% coverage of eligible fees; those earning CA$70,000–CA$79,999 receive 60%; CA$80,000–CA$89,999 receive 40%.
What does the CDCP cover?
| Procedure category | Covered? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dental exams and X-rays | ✅ Yes | Routine and diagnostic exams covered annually |
| Cleanings and scaling | ✅ Yes | Preventive cleanings covered; frequency limits apply |
| Fillings | ✅ Yes | Composite and amalgam fillings covered |
| Extractions | ✅ Yes | Simple and surgical extractions covered |
| Root canals | ✅ Yes | Anterior and some posterior root canals covered |
| Dentures | ✅ Yes (partial) | Partial and complete dentures covered with frequency limits |
| Orthodontics (braces) | ⚠️ Limited | Only medically necessary cases for children under 18 (as of 2025) |
| Dental implants | ❌ Not covered | Not included in CDCP as of 2025 |
| Veneers | ❌ Not covered | Classified as cosmetic; excluded from CDCP |
| Teeth whitening | ❌ Not covered | Cosmetic procedure; excluded |
Coverage details may change. Check canada.ca/dental for the most current fee schedule and eligible procedure list.
CDCP and orthodontics
The CDCP added orthodontic coverage for eligible children under 18 in 2025. Coverage is restricted to medically necessary orthodontic treatment — cases where misalignment affects chewing, speech, or oral health. Purely cosmetic alignment is excluded.
An orthodontist or dentist must submit a treatment plan and prior authorization request before coverage is confirmed. Not all cases will qualify. Families with borderline cases should get an assessment and authorization before beginning treatment.
CDCP and dental implants
Dental implants are not covered by the CDCP as of 2025. The plan covers dentures as an alternative for missing teeth. If you need a tooth replaced and are CDCP-eligible, ask your dentist about denture coverage as an interim or permanent solution.
For patients who need implants and are not covered, financing and in-house payment plans remain the most practical path to treatment.
How to apply for the CDCP
- Confirm you meet the income and insurance eligibility criteria above.
- File your most recent year's income tax return if you haven't already.
- Wait for an invitation letter from Service Canada (sent by age group and income band).
- Accept your coverage at canada.ca/dental or by calling 1-833-537-4342.
- Show your CDCP coverage confirmation at a participating dental provider.
Not all dentists participate in the CDCP. Call ahead to confirm your dentist accepts CDCP before scheduling an appointment under this coverage.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use the CDCP if I have a Health Care Spending Account (HCSA)?
- HCSA accounts are employer-provided; if you have access to one, you may be considered to have private coverage depending on your plan terms. Check with your employer's benefits provider to confirm before applying for CDCP.
- Does the CDCP cover wisdom tooth removal?
- Yes — surgical extractions including impacted wisdom teeth are generally covered under the CDCP's oral surgery benefit. Confirm with your dentist and provider before the procedure.
- What if my income just exceeds CA$90,000?
- Households with income at or above CA$90,000 are not eligible for the CDCP. Employer group dental plans, dental school clinics, and third-party financing are the main cost-reduction alternatives.
- Can the CDCP be used alongside other coverage?
- The CDCP is designed for Canadians with no private dental insurance. If you gain private coverage during the year, you must report it to Service Canada promptly.