Canadian Dental Care Plan guide

Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP): Coverage, Eligibility, and Costs

The CDCP launched in 2024 and is now open to every eligible resident who meets the income and insurance rules. 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
Applications are open to all eligible residents; the earlier age-group rollout has ended
CDCP covers preventive, restorative, and some major dental care — not fully cosmetic procedures
Orthodontics (braces and aligners): not currently available under the CDCP
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)	❌ Not covered	Orthodontic services are currently not available
Dental implants	❌ Not covered	Not on the CDCP covered-services list
Veneers	❌ Not covered	Classified as cosmetic; excluded from CDCP
Teeth whitening	❌ Not covered	Cosmetic procedure; excluded

Checked against the official CDCP coverage page on October 26, 2026. Coverage details may change, so check canada.ca/dental for the current fee schedule and eligible procedure list before treatment.

CDCP and orthodontics

Orthodontic services are currently not available under the CDCP. Do not begin braces or clear-aligner treatment expecting a CDCP contribution.

Coverage policies can change. Review the official Government of Canada coverage page before treatment instead of relying on older summaries that describe a planned or proposed orthodontic benefit.

Braces cost in Ontario Braces cost in BC Braces cost in Alberta Braces cost in Quebec

CDCP and dental implants

Dental implants are not on the CDCP covered-services list. 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.

Implant cost in Ontario Implant cost in BC Implant cost in Alberta Implant cost in Quebec

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.
Apply online through My Service Canada Account or at canada.ca/dental, or call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342. A spouse or common-law partner must submit their own application.
Wait for your enrolment confirmation and member card. There is no fee to apply or renew.
Confirm your dentist accepts CDCP patients, then show your member card at the appointment.

Not all dentists participate in the CDCP. Call ahead to confirm your dentist accepts CDCP before scheduling an appointment under this coverage.

FAQ

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.

Browse Canadian dental cost guides

Braces cost in Canada (national guide) Invisalign cost in Canada Dental implants cost in Canada Affordable dental care in Canada Ontario braces cost Ontario implant cost BC braces cost BC implant cost Alberta braces cost Alberta implant cost Quebec braces cost Quebec implant cost

How insurance affects dental insurance

Coverage varies: most plans pay preventive care at a high percentage, basic care at a lower one and major care at the lowest, each subject to a deductible and an annual maximum. Before you accept a plan of treatment, ask the office to send a pre-treatment estimate to the insurer so you know what the plan expects to pay.

An estimate is not a guarantee, and your share depends on the deductible, the coinsurance and the annual maximum remaining. Out-of-network providers may charge more than the plan's allowed amount.

Confirm network status before the first visit
Ask for the plan's allowed fee as well as the office's fee
Check waiting periods and frequency limits
Keep the written estimate with your treatment plan

Next, affordable dental care in Canada, and dental financing calculator are good places to continue. Each page uses the same planning approach, so figures and questions carry over.