The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) helps make dental care more affordable for eligible Canadian residents who do not have access to private dental insurance. For the 2026-2027 benefit year, applications are open, and eligibility continues to depend mainly on your family income, tax filing status, Canadian residency and access to dental coverage.
The plan can cover part or, for lower-income households, all of the CDCP-established fee for eligible services. However, CDCP coverage does not necessarily mean every dental bill will be fully paid. Your income determines whether you have a co-payment, while your dentist’s fees and services outside the plan can create additional costs.
This guide explains Canadian Dental Care Plan eligibility, income limits, coverage, co-payments, costs, application rules and important limitations for 2026.
What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a federal dental program designed to reduce financial barriers to oral health care for eligible Canadian residents.
Instead of giving eligible patients a cash dental benefit, the CDCP generally pays participating oral health providers directly for covered services. Patients are responsible for any applicable co-payment and costs that fall outside the amount covered by the plan.
The program covers a range of dental services, including diagnostic, preventive, restorative, periodontal, endodontic, prosthodontic and oral surgery services, subject to the plan’s rules, frequency limits and preauthorization requirements.
One important point is that CDCP fees are not necessarily the same as the fees charged by a dental provider. This is why someone with no co-payment can still have an amount to pay at the dentist.
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To qualify for the CDCP in 2026, you must meet all four main eligibility requirements:
- You do not have access to private dental insurance or dental coverage.
- You and your spouse or common-law partner, if applicable, have filed your Canadian tax returns for the previous year.
- Your adjusted family net income is less than $90,000.
- You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
Meeting the income requirement alone is not enough. For example, a person with an adjusted family net income of $60,000 may still be ineligible if they have access to dental insurance through their employer.
1. You must not have access to private dental insurance
This is one of the most important CDCP eligibility rules.
You generally cannot qualify if you have access to dental coverage through:
- Your employer
- A spouse’s or family member’s employer
- A pension plan
- A professional or student organisation
- Private dental insurance you purchased yourself
- A health spending account that covers dental care
This can apply even if you never use the insurance, choose not to enrol in it, pay a premium for it, or the insurance does not cover the full cost of your dental treatment.
There is a specific exception for some retirees who opted out of pension dental coverage before December 11, 2023 and cannot opt back in.
2. You must have filed your tax return
The government uses your tax information to calculate your family income.
You and your spouse or common-law partner, if applicable, must have filed your tax returns in Canada for the previous year. You will also need to have received your Notice of Assessment when applying.
Read More: Canada Disability Benefit Application- How to Apply Step by Step3. You must meet the CDCP income limit
Your adjusted family net income must be less than $90,000.
This is not simply the salary shown on a paycheque. The CDCP uses a specific calculation based on family net income and certain adjustments.
4. You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes
You and your spouse or common-law partner, if applicable, must be Canadian residents for tax purposes.
Canadian Dental Care Plan Income Limits 2026
The CDCP uses adjusted family net income to determine both eligibility and the percentage of eligible costs you may have to pay.
The income bands for 2026 are:
| Adjusted family net income | CDCP coverage at established fees | Your co-payment |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $70,000 | 100% | 0% |
| $70,000 to $79,999 | 60% | 40% |
| $80,000 to $89,999 | 40% | 60% |
| $90,000 or more | Not eligible | Not applicable |
These percentages apply to the CDCP-established fee, not necessarily the amount your dental provider charges.
That distinction is important because the CDCP does not promise to pay a percentage of whatever price appears on your dentist’s invoice.
How is adjusted family net income calculated?
The CDCP calculation starts with family net income from line 23600 of the relevant tax returns.
The government then makes specific adjustments:
Adjusted family net income = family net income − eligible UCCB and RDSP income + eligible UCCB and RDSP repayments
The calculation uses the applicable amounts from lines 11700, 12500, 21300 and 23200 of the tax return.
This means your CDCP income level may not be exactly the same as your gross salary or household earnings.
How Much Does the Canadian Dental Care Plan Cover?
The CDCP does not simply pay every dental bill in full.
Instead, it reimburses eligible services according to CDCP-established fees, applicable coverage rules and your income-based co-payment.
For example:
- A household under $70,000 has no co-payment on the CDCP-established fee.
- A household earning $70,000 to $79,999 pays 40% of the established fee.
- A household earning $80,000 to $89,999 pays 60% of the established fee.
You may still have additional costs if your provider charges more than the CDCP-established fee or if you agree to services that are not covered.
Example of CDCP dental costs
Suppose an eligible dental service has a CDCP-established fee of $200.
If your adjusted family net income is $65,000:
- CDCP-established fee: $200
- CDCP coverage: 100%
- Your co-payment: $0
If your adjusted family net income is $75,000:
- CDCP-established fee: $200
- CDCP coverage: 60% = $120
- Your co-payment: 40% = $80
If your adjusted family net income is $85,000:
- CDCP-established fee: $200
- CDCP coverage: 40% = $80
- Your co-payment: 60% = $120
These examples do not include any difference between the provider’s actual fee and the CDCP-established fee.
Read More: Canada Disability Benefit Income Limits 2026- How Income Affects PaymentsWhat Dental Services Does the CDCP Cover?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan covers a wide range of oral health services, but coverage depends on the specific procedure and the plan’s eligibility rules.
Covered categories can include:
- Dental examinations
- X-rays and other diagnostic services
- Cleanings and preventive care
- Fluoride treatments
- Certain sealants
- Fillings and other restorative services
- Root canal-related services
- Periodontal services
- Dentures
- Certain oral surgery services
- Some sedation and related services
The 2026 Dental Benefits Guide sets out the detailed rules, including frequency limits and preauthorization requirements.
Not every treatment in these categories is automatically covered. The CDCP can restrict coverage based on the patient’s circumstances, clinical criteria, frequency limits and other plan requirements.
What about orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic coverage is more limited than many people assume. The April 2026 CDCP Dental Benefits Guide states that limited orthodontic services for eligible clients can be requested at a date to be determined.
Therefore, you should not assume that braces or other orthodontic treatment will automatically be covered just because you qualify for the CDCP.
What Does the CDCP Not Cover?
The CDCP is not comprehensive dental insurance.
Some procedures and services are excluded, while others may only be covered when specific requirements are met.
Potential reasons you may have to pay include:
- The treatment is not an eligible CDCP service.
- You have exceeded a frequency limit.
- The service requires preauthorization and approval has not been obtained.
- Your dentist charges more than the CDCP-established fee.
- You agree to additional services that are not covered.
- Your coverage is not active on the date of treatment.
The CDCP Dental Benefits Guide specifically notes that not all oral health services are covered and that certain procedures are subject to frequency limitations and preauthorization requirements.
What Is a CDCP Co-Payment?
A co-payment is the portion of the CDCP-established fee that you are responsible for paying based on your adjusted family net income.
The three co-payment levels are:
| Income | Co-payment |
|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 0% |
| $70,000 to $79,999 | 40% |
| $80,000 to $89,999 | 60% |
A 0% co-payment does not necessarily mean your dental appointment will cost you nothing.
For example, if a provider charges $145 for a service and the CDCP-established fee is $134, a patient with no co-payment could still be responsible for the $11 difference. The Government of Canada provides similar examples to demonstrate how provider fees and CDCP fees can differ.
Always ask your provider for the expected out-of-pocket amount before treatment.
Read More: Canada Disability Benefit Calculator- Estimate Your Monthly PaymentDoes the CDCP Pay the Dentist Directly?
Yes.
Under the CDCP, eligible oral health providers submit claims to Sun Life, which administers the plan. Patients generally should not pay the entire dental bill upfront and then expect reimbursement from Sun Life.
Only oral health providers receive reimbursement from the CDCP. If you pay the full amount yourself, Sun Life will not reimburse you for the covered portion.
Before treatment, your provider can check your coverage and may submit an estimate to confirm which services are covered and how much the CDCP is expected to pay.
How to Apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan in 2026
Applications for the 2026-2027 benefit period are open.
Before applying, make sure you meet all four eligibility requirements.
You will generally need information such as:
- Social Insurance Number, where applicable
- Date of birth
- Full name
- Home and mailing address
- Information about government dental coverage, if applicable
- Your Notice of Assessment
- Your spouse or common-law partner’s tax information, where applicable
Eligible applicants can apply online through My Service Canada Account. After signing in, go to the Canadian Dental Care Plan section and select the application option.
What happens after you apply?
If approved, you receive information about your CDCP membership and coverage start date.
Do not schedule covered treatment before your coverage starts. The government advises members to use their coverage information when booking their first appointment and to confirm that the provider accepts CDCP clients.
Do You Need a Dentist Who Accepts the CDCP?
You need an oral health provider who can submit claims under the CDCP.
Participating providers can include:
- Dentists
- Dental specialists
- Denturists
- Dental hygienists
- Dental schools and educational institutions for oral health professions
Provider participation is voluntary.
Before booking, confirm that the provider accepts CDCP patients and will bill Sun Life directly.
It is also worth asking whether the provider follows CDCP-established fees or charges additional amounts. This can significantly affect your final out-of-pocket cost.
Can You Have Government Dental Coverage and Still Qualify?
Potentially, yes.
Having dental coverage through certain federal, provincial or territorial government social programs does not automatically disqualify you from the CDCP.
If you meet the CDCP eligibility requirements, the programs may coordinate coverage to avoid duplication. The exact rules can vary depending on the program and province or territory.
Private dental insurance is different. If you have access to private dental insurance, including through an employer or pension plan, you generally cannot qualify for the CDCP.
Read More: Canada Disability Benefit 2026- Eligibility, Amounts, Income Limits & ApplicationImportant CDCP Rules to Know in 2026
You must renew your coverage
CDCP coverage operates by benefit period and members must renew every year.
For the 2026-2027 benefit year, applications are currently open. The renewal period for existing members closed on June 1, 2026. People who missed renewal can submit a new application, but there may be a coverage gap. Dental care received during that gap is not covered retroactively.
Your eligibility can be reviewed
The government can verify whether you actually have access to private dental insurance.
For example, employer and pension plan administrators report dental coverage information on tax slips. The government may review T4 or T4A information during an eligibility review.
Providing incorrect information can result in removal from the plan and repayment of amounts claimed while you were ineligible.
Some treatments require preauthorization
Certain dental services require approval before treatment is considered eligible for CDCP coverage.
Your dental provider can submit the necessary information to Sun Life. Preauthorization is particularly important for services with specific clinical requirements or treatments requested beyond standard frequency limits.
How to Reduce Unexpected CDCP Dental Costs
Being eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan does not guarantee a $0 dental bill. These steps can help you understand your costs before treatment:
- Confirm your coverage is active.
- Ask whether the dentist accepts CDCP patients.
- Ask for a treatment estimate before agreeing to care.
- Ask whether the service requires preauthorization.
- Ask how much the provider charges compared with the CDCP-established fee.
- Confirm your co-payment percentage.
- Ask about services or fees that are not covered.
Your provider can submit an estimate before treatment so that you have more information about your expected coverage. However, the final amount can still depend on the plan rules and fees in effect when treatment is provided.
Canadian Dental Care Plan 2026: Quick Eligibility Checklist
You may qualify if all of these statements are true:
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Dental insurance | You do not have access to private dental coverage |
| Family income | Adjusted family net income is below $90,000 |
| Tax return | You and your spouse/common-law partner filed the required Canadian tax returns |
| Residency | You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes |
| Coverage | You meet the CDCP rules for the applicable benefit period |
Remember that eligibility and coverage are separate questions. You can qualify for the CDCP but still have to pay a co-payment or additional provider charges.
What is the income limit for the Canadian Dental Care Plan in 2026?
Your adjusted family net income must be less than $90,000 to qualify. The co-payment depends on your income. Households below $70,000 have a 0% co-payment, while those between $70,000 and $79,999 have a 40% co-payment and those between $80,000 and $89,999 have a 60% co-payment.
Does the CDCP cover 100% of dental costs?
Not necessarily. For adjusted family net income below $70,000, the CDCP covers 100% of eligible costs at CDCP-established fees. You can still owe money if your provider charges more than the established fee or if you receive services that are not covered.
Can I qualify for CDCP if I have dental insurance through work?
Generally, no. Access to private dental coverage through your employer, spouse’s employer, pension plan or another private source can make you ineligible, even if you do not use the coverage.
Does the CDCP cover dental cleanings?
Preventive services such as dental cleaning-related care can be covered when they meet CDCP rules, frequency limits and applicable eligibility requirements. Your provider can confirm the specific service and expected coverage before treatment.
Can I use the CDCP with government dental programs?
You may be able to. Certain federal, provincial and territorial social dental programs can coordinate with the CDCP. The rules vary by program and location.
Do I get reimbursed by Sun Life?
No. Under the CDCP, eligible providers submit claims to Sun Life and receive payment directly. You generally pay only the applicable amount that is not covered by the CDCP.
Do I need to renew the CDCP every year?
Yes. CDCP members must renew their coverage each year and confirm that they continue to meet the eligibility requirements. Missing the renewal period can result in a coverage gap.
Final Takeaway
The Canadian Dental Care Plan 2026 can significantly reduce dental costs for Canadian residents who do not have access to private dental insurance and whose adjusted family net income is below $90,000.
The most important numbers to remember are $90,000 for the maximum income threshold, $70,000 for the no-co-payment threshold, and $80,000 for the higher co-payment level.
However, CDCP coverage is not the same as completely free dental care. The plan uses established fees, income-based co-payments, service limitations and preauthorization rules. Your dentist may also charge more than the CDCP-established fee.
Before accepting treatment, confirm your coverage, ask about your expected co-payment and request an estimate for any additional charges. These steps can help you use the Canadian Dental Care Plan effectively while avoiding unexpected dental expenses.