What Is CDCP? Your Complete 2026 Guide to the Canadian Dental Care Plan

Last verified against Canada.ca: August 2026. Coverage figures are subject to change each benefit year — confirm your specific coverage at your appointment.

What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a federal government program that provides dental coverage to Canadians who do not have private dental insurance and whose household income falls below the eligibility threshold. It is administered by Sun Life on behalf of Health Canada and applies across every province and territory.

The plan launched in phases starting in late 2023 and reached full eligibility (all uninsured adults) in 2024. It is not a replacement for provincial dental programs — it runs alongside them and covers services that are not otherwise insured.

Who Qualifies for CDCP in 2026?

To be eligible for the 2026–27 benefit year you must:

• Be a Canadian resident with a valid Social Insurance Number
• File a tax return (eligibility is assessed from your most recent tax filing)
• Have an adjusted family net income under $90,000
• Not have access to private dental insurance through an employer, pension plan, or purchased plan

Children, seniors, adults with disabilities, and working-age adults are all eligible, provided the income and insurance conditions are met. Eligibility is assessed annually — if your situation changes, your coverage status may change at the next benefit-year renewal.

CDCP for Seniors

Canadians 65 and older were among the first groups to gain CDCP access (launched December 2023). Seniors who were already receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) were automatically enrolled. All other eligible seniors apply through the standard Sun Life application process.

Coverage for seniors includes preventive care (cleaning, X-rays), restorative care (fillings, crown), and dentures — subject to the fee guide and annual maximums. Co-payments apply based on household income (see tiers below).

Co-Payment Tiers for 2026

Your out-of-pocket share depends on your adjusted family net income. The tiers below reflect the structure in effect for the 2026 benefit year — confirm with canada.ca/dental for any updates:

Note: The CDCP reimburses providers based on the provincial fee guide, not necessarily the amount billed. Your dentist will tell you the exact cost before treatment begins — at Dentistry on Guelph we confirm your coverage and co-payment before any work starts.

What Does CDCP Cover?

Coverage is divided into categories. Not every service is covered for every patient — the plan uses an evidence-based approach and some services require prior approval or have annual limits. The main covered categories include:

• Preventive care — oral exams, X-rays, teeth cleaning (scaling), fluoride treatments, sealants
• Restorative care — fillings, dental crowns, inlays and onlays
• Endodontic treatment — root canal therapy
• Periodontal treatment — gum disease treatment
• Prosthodontics — dentures (complete and partial), denture repairs
• Oral surgery — extractions including wisdom teeth

Services not covered include cosmetic procedures (whitening, veneers for aesthetic reasons), orthodontics (braces, Invisalign) in most cases, implants in most cases, and services already covered by a provincial program.

How Does the CDCP Work at a Dental Office?

1. You apply through Sun Life — applications are completed online at canada.ca/dental or by phone. Once approved, you receive a welcome letter with your coverage details.
2. You bring your coverage information to your appointment — your Social Insurance Number and the welcome letter are the main items needed.
3. Your dentist submits claims directly — registered CDCP providers bill Sun Life directly. You pay only your co-payment (if any) at the visit. There are no forms for you to submit.
4. Coverage renews annually — you do not re-apply each year, but eligibility is re-assessed from your tax return. Sun Life will notify you of renewal.

Finding a CDCP Dentist

Not all dental offices are registered CDCP providers. To receive CDCP benefits, you must see a dentist who has signed up with Sun Life under the program. Dentistry on Guelph is a registered CDCP provider — we accept new CDCP patients and bill Sun Life directly on your behalf.

If you are searching for a CDCP dentist near you, you can use the provider directory at canada.ca/dental or call our office at (226) 541-5050 and we will confirm availability for your situation.

See our CDCP dentist page for Guelph patients →

CDCP Annual Maximums

The CDCP sets annual dollar maximums per patient. The maximums are structured by service category and are updated each benefit year. Your dentist will tell you if any proposed treatment is close to or over a maximum — at that point, you can discuss phasing treatment across benefit years or understanding what you would pay out of pocket.

Always confirm current maximums at canada.ca/dental or ask our front desk, as the federal government may revise figures between benefit years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use CDCP at any dentist?
No — only at registered CDCP providers. Dentistry on Guelph is registered and accepting new patients.

Do I need to pay anything upfront?
If your household income is under $70,000, you pay nothing at the visit. If your income is $70,000–89,999, you pay your co-payment portion at the time of the appointment.

What if my employer offers dental insurance but it does not cover very much?
If you have access to any employer or group dental plan — even a limited one — you are not eligible for CDCP. Eligibility requires having no access to private dental insurance at all.

I just moved to Canada. Can I apply?
You must be a Canadian resident with a Social Insurance Number and a tax filing history. Newcomers on IFHP (Interim Federal Health Program) have separate coverage — see our IFHP page.

My income changed this year. Does my CDCP status change?
Your eligibility is assessed from your most recent tax return. If your income has changed, it will be reflected at the next annual renewal — not mid-year.