Canadian Dental Care Plan Income Limits – Who Qualifies in 2026?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) helps make dental care more affordable for eligible Canadians who do not have access to private dental insurance. One of the most important eligibility rules is the household income threshold.

For the 2026-2027 benefit year, your adjusted family net income must be less than $90,000 to qualify based on income. However, being below $90,000 does not automatically mean you will receive free dental care. Your income also affects how much of the CDCP fee you may have to pay, and other eligibility requirements apply.

This guide explains the Canadian Dental Care Plan income limits, how adjusted family net income is calculated, how co-payments work, and what you should know before applying in 2026.

What Are the Canadian Dental Care Plan Income Limits in 2026?

For the 2026-2027 CDCP benefit year, the main income eligibility limit is:

Adjusted family net income must be less than $90,000.

The CDCP uses your adjusted family net income, rather than simply looking at your salary or gross household income.

Your income level also determines your potential CDCP co-payment:

Adjusted family net income	CDCP co-payment
Less than $70,000	0%
$70,000 to $79,999	40%
$80,000 to $89,999	60%
$90,000 or more	Not eligible based on income

These income bands are important because qualifying for the CDCP and having no out-of-pocket costs are not the same thing. Someone with an adjusted family net income of $85,000 can qualify, for example, but may have a 60% co-payment on the CDCP-established fee.

The income limit is only one part of eligibility. You must also meet the other CDCP requirements.

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What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a federal program designed to reduce financial barriers to oral health care for eligible Canadian residents who do not have access to private dental insurance.

The plan can help with a range of eligible dental services, subject to the CDCP rules. Depending on the service and your circumstances, covered care can include examinations, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, dentures, root canal treatments and oral surgery.

The CDCP does not simply reimburse every dental bill in full. Instead, the plan uses established CDCP fees and income-based co-payment rules. You may also have additional costs if your provider charges more than the CDCP-established fee or if you receive services that are not covered.

That is why understanding the income limits is important before booking dental treatment.

Who Is Eligible for the CDCP in 2026?

To qualify for the CDCP, you generally need to meet all four eligibility requirements.

1. You cannot have access to private dental insurance

You must not have access to private dental insurance or dental coverage through:

• Your employer
• A pension plan
• Your spouse or common-law partner’s employer
• Your spouse or common-law partner’s pension plan
• A health spending account that covers dental services

This rule can apply even if you have never used the insurance, chose not to enrol, or would have to pay a premium for the coverage. The government can review whether you actually have access to private dental coverage.

Government dental programs are treated differently. If you have dental coverage through a provincial, territorial or federal government social program, you may still qualify for the CDCP. The programs can coordinate coverage where applicable.

Read More: Canadian Dental Care Plan 2026- Eligibility, Income Limits, Coverage & Costs

2. You must have filed your Canadian tax return

You and your spouse or common-law partner, if applicable, must have filed your tax returns in Canada for the previous year so that the government can assess your family income.

For the 2026-2027 benefit year, applications are currently open, and the government uses the required previous-year tax information to assess eligibility.

This means your tax return is an important part of the CDCP application process.

3. Your adjusted family net income must be below $90,000

Your adjusted family net income must be less than $90,000.

Notice the wording: less than $90,000, not $90,000 or less.

Therefore, a household with an adjusted family net income of $89,999 can meet the income requirement, while an adjusted family net income of $90,000 does not meet the stated threshold.

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.

Meeting the income requirement alone is therefore not enough to qualify.

How Is Adjusted Family Net Income Calculated?

This is one of the most important parts of understanding the Canadian Dental Care Plan income limits.

The CDCP does not simply take your annual salary and compare it with $90,000.

Instead, adjusted family net income is calculated using information from your tax return and, where applicable, your spouse or common-law partner’s tax return.

The government describes the calculation as:

**Family net income
− Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) and RDSP income received

• UCCB and RDSP amounts repaid
  = Adjusted family net income**

Family net income is based on line 23600 of your tax return and your spouse or common-law partner’s line 23600, where applicable. The specified UCCB and Registered Disability Savings Plan adjustments are then made.

Example of the calculation

Suppose a couple has:

• Your family net income: $52,000
• Spouse’s family net income: $28,000
• UCCB/RDSP income adjustment: $2,000

The calculation would be:

$52,000 + $28,000 − $2,000 = $78,000

Their adjusted family net income would therefore be $78,000.

That falls within the $70,000 to $79,999 income band.

The household could meet the CDCP income requirement, assuming it satisfies the other eligibility conditions, but the applicable CDCP co-payment would generally be 40% of the CDCP-established fee for eligible services.

Does Gross Income Determine CDCP Eligibility?

No.

This is a common misunderstanding.

The CDCP income test is based on adjusted family net income, not simply gross income.

For example, an employee might earn a gross salary of $80,000, but the income figure used for the CDCP assessment is based on the applicable tax-return calculation rather than simply the amount shown as gross employment income.

Similarly, for couples, the government considers family income rather than looking at only one person’s earnings.

If you are close to the $90,000 threshold, it is better to check your tax information rather than estimating eligibility from your salary alone.

Read More: Canada Disability Benefit Application- How to Apply Step by Step

CDCP Income Limits and Co-Payments Explained

Your income does more than determine whether you qualify. It can also determine how much you contribute toward eligible services.

Under $70,000

If your adjusted family net income is less than $70,000, you generally have no CDCP co-payment.

However, this does not necessarily mean every dental bill will be completely free.

You may still have to pay the difference if your dental provider’s charge is higher than the CDCP-established fee. Additional charges can also apply for services that are not covered under the plan.

$70,000 to $79,999

If your adjusted family net income falls between $70,000 and $79,999, the applicable co-payment is 40% of the CDCP-established fee.

For example, if the CDCP-established fee for an eligible service is $200, a 40% co-payment would be:

$200 × 40% = $80

The CDCP would cover the remaining $120 of that established fee.

You could still pay more if your provider’s actual charge exceeds the CDCP-established fee.

$80,000 to $89,999

If your adjusted family net income falls between $80,000 and $89,999, the applicable co-payment is 60% of the CDCP-established fee.

For a service with a CDCP-established fee of $200:

$200 × 60% = $120

The CDCP portion would be $80.

Again, the calculation is based on the CDCP-established fee, not necessarily the amount your dentist normally charges.

Example: How Income Can Affect Your Dental Costs

Consider three households receiving the same eligible dental service.

Assume the CDCP-established fee for that service is $200.

Adjusted family net income	Co-payment	Patient’s co-payment on $200 CDCP fee
$55,000	0%	$0
$75,000	40%	$80
$85,000	60%	$120

These figures illustrate the income-based co-payment only.

They do not guarantee that the patient will pay exactly these amounts. If the provider charges more than the CDCP-established fee, the patient may also have to pay the difference.

This distinction is particularly important when comparing the CDCP with private dental insurance.

Read More: Canada Disability Benefit Income Limits 2026- How Income Affects Payments

What Happens If Your Dentist Charges More Than the CDCP Fee?

The CDCP has established fees for covered services. These fees may not be the same as the dental fee guide used in your province or territory.

If your dentist charges more than the CDCP-established fee, you may have to pay the difference yourself.

For example, suppose:

• Dentist’s charge: $150
• CDCP-established fee: $130
• Your income-based co-payment: 40%

Your 40% co-payment would be calculated on the $130 CDCP fee:

$130 × 40% = $52

You could also be responsible for the $20 difference between the dentist’s charge and the CDCP-established fee.

Your total potential payment would therefore be:

$52 + $20 = $72

The Government of Canada advises CDCP members to ask their oral health provider about costs that will not be covered before receiving treatment.

Does Having Government Dental Coverage Disqualify You?

Not necessarily.

The CDCP eligibility rules distinguish between private dental coverage and dental coverage provided through government social programs.

If you have dental coverage through a provincial, territorial or federal government social program, you may still qualify for the CDCP if you meet the other requirements.

Where appropriate, the programs can coordinate benefits to avoid duplication or gaps in coverage.

However, having access to private dental insurance is different and can make you ineligible.

What If You Have Dental Coverage Through Work?

This is an important issue for employees.

You may not qualify for the CDCP if your employer offers dental insurance or coverage, even if:

• You have never used the plan
• You decided not to enrol
• You have to pay a premium
• The plan does not cover the entire cost of your dental care

The government can verify information about employer or pension dental coverage through tax records.

For example, the government may use Box 45 on a T4 or Box 015 on a T4A to determine whether an employer or pension plan offers dental coverage.

If you have a spouse or common-law partner, you should also check their employment or pension benefits.

Does the CDCP Income Limit Apply to Each Person?

The $90,000 threshold applies to adjusted family net income, not each person’s individual income.

For a married couple or common-law partners, the relevant calculation generally combines the applicable family net income information from both tax returns and then applies the required adjustments.

For example:

Person	Net income
Applicant	$45,000
Spouse	$35,000
Combined family net income	$80,000

If there are no relevant adjustments, the adjusted family net income would be $80,000.

That household would fall into the $80,000 to $89,999 CDCP income band.

This is why someone earning $50,000 individually could still have a different CDCP income assessment depending on their spouse or common-law partner’s income.

Read More: Canada Disability Benefit Calculator- Estimate Your Monthly Payment

Can You Apply for the CDCP in 2026?

Yes. Applications for the 2026-2027 benefit year are open.

The 2026-2027 benefit period covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Applications can be made through My Service Canada Account, following the instructions provided by the Government of Canada.

Before applying, make sure:

1. You have filed the required Canadian tax return.
2. Your spouse or common-law partner has filed their return, if applicable.
3. Your adjusted family net income is below $90,000.
4. You do not have access to private dental insurance.
5. You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
6. You have the required personal information available for the application.

The application process requires information such as your Social Insurance Number, date of birth, name, address, and applicable dental coverage information.

Expert Tips for Checking Your CDCP Eligibility

Check your tax return, not just your paycheque

If you are close to an income threshold, do not rely on your gross salary. Use the relevant tax-return figures used to calculate adjusted family net income.

Check your spouse’s benefits too

A spouse or common-law partner’s employer or pension plan may provide access to dental coverage. This can affect eligibility even if you personally do not have a dental plan.

Ask your dentist about the CDCP fee

Before treatment, ask:

• Does your clinic bill the CDCP directly?
• What portion will the CDCP cover?
• What is my expected co-payment?
• Is your fee higher than the CDCP-established fee?
• Are any recommended services not covered?

This can help prevent unexpected charges.

Do not assume 0% co-payment means $0 for every treatment

A household under $70,000 may have no income-based co-payment, but there can still be additional charges if the provider’s fees exceed the CDCP-established fees or if the treatment is not covered.

Keep your information accurate

The CDCP can review eligibility after you have been accepted. If the information you provided about dental insurance does not match government records, you may be asked to provide documentation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the biggest mistakes is assuming that $90,000 or less automatically qualifies you. The actual requirement is an adjusted family net income less than $90,000, along with the other eligibility conditions.

Another mistake is confusing gross income with adjusted family net income.

It is also easy to overlook a spouse’s workplace or pension dental coverage. Even if you do not use that coverage, access to it can affect CDCP eligibility.

Finally, do not assume that the CDCP will reimburse you directly. Under the plan, participating oral health providers are reimbursed for covered services. If you pay the entire dental bill yourself, Sun Life does not simply reimburse you afterward.

Final Thoughts on Canadian Dental Care Plan Income Limits

The Canadian Dental Care Plan income limits are straightforward at first glance: your adjusted family net income must be less than $90,000. But the income threshold is only part of the eligibility test.

Your adjusted family net income also determines whether you have a 0%, 40% or 60% co-payment. At the same time, your access to private dental insurance, Canadian tax-filing status and Canadian residency can affect whether you qualify at all.

For 2026-2027, the key figures to remember are:

• Under $70,000: 0% co-payment
• $70,000 to $79,999: 40% co-payment
• $80,000 to $89,999: 60% co-payment
• $90,000 or more: does not meet the CDCP income requirement

Before applying or scheduling treatment, check your tax information, confirm whether you and your spouse have access to private dental coverage, and ask your dental provider about CDCP-established fees and any additional charges.

These steps can help you understand not only whether you qualify, but also what you may actually have to pay for dental care under the plan.