Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) Eligibility & Covered Services 2026
Understand the 2026-2027 CDCP benefit year, adjusted family net income rules, dental coverage percentages, provider billing, additional charges, covered services, preauthorization and major exclusions.
1. What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a federal program that helps make oral health care more affordable for eligible Canadian residents who do not have access to private dental insurance or coverage. Health Canada is responsible for the program and has contracted Sun Life to administer enrolment and claims. For the 2026-2027 benefit year, coverage runs from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
Key Framework Highlights:
- The CDCP is available to eligible Canadian residents who satisfy all four federal eligibility requirements.
- Adjusted family net income must be less than $90,000.
- Applicants must not have access to private dental insurance or coverage, including qualifying employer, pension, student, professional or privately purchased dental coverage.
- The applicant must have filed the required Canadian tax return for the previous year; a spouse or common-law partner must also have filed where applicable.
- The applicant must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
- The CDCP reimburses providers according to CDCP-established fees and applicable co-payment rules; it does not necessarily pay the dentist's full ordinary fee.
Action Checklist:
- Check that you and your spouse/common-law partner, if applicable, have filed the previous year's Canadian tax returns.
- Calculate your adjusted family net income using the CDCP rules.
- Confirm that you do not have access to private dental insurance or coverage.
- Confirm that you are a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
- Apply or reapply through My Service Canada Account when eligible.
2. CDCP Eligibility Requirements for 2026-2027
To qualify for the 2026-2027 CDCP benefit year, an applicant must satisfy four core conditions: no access to private dental insurance or coverage, filing of the required Canadian tax return, adjusted family net income below $90,000, and Canadian residency for tax purposes. Eligibility is reviewed annually and applicants must attest that they continue to meet the requirements.
Key Framework Highlights:
- A person can be ineligible even if they never used their private dental insurance.
- Paying a premium for an available dental plan does not by itself make the person eligible.
- Coverage that does not pay the full dental bill can still count as access to dental coverage.
- A retired person can have a narrow exception if they opted out of pension-plan dental coverage before December 11, 2023 and cannot opt back in.
- Applicants must re-attest to eligibility when renewing.
| Requirement | 2026-2027 Rule | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| No private dental coverage | Required | Includes coverage through work, a spouse/family member's plan, pension, student/professional organization or qualifying private dental insurance. |
| Canadian tax return | Required | Applicant and spouse/common-law partner, if applicable, must have filed the previous year's Canadian tax return and received the relevant Notice of Assessment. |
| Adjusted family net income | Less than $90,000 | Uses a specified CDCP calculation based on line 23600 and prescribed adjustments. |
| Canadian tax residency | Required | Applicant must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes. |
3. How CDCP Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI) Is Calculated
CDCP uses adjusted family net income rather than simply adding together salaries or gross household income. The calculation starts with family net income reported on line 23600 for the applicant and spouse/common-law partner, if applicable, and then makes specific adjustments for Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) and Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) amounts.
Action Checklist:
- Take the applicant's family net income from the required tax information.
- Include the spouse/common-law partner's corresponding income where applicable.
- Apply the specified UCCB and RDSP adjustments.
- Compare the resulting AFNI with the $90,000 eligibility threshold.
4. CDCP Co-Payment and Coverage Tiers
The CDCP co-payment percentage is based on adjusted family net income. The percentage applies to the CDCP-established fee for an eligible service, not necessarily the amount the dentist normally charges. This distinction is essential: even a person in the 0% co-payment tier can have an amount owing if the provider's charge is higher than the CDCP-established fee or if a particular service is not covered under the plan.
| Adjusted Family Net Income | CDCP Pays of Established Fee | Patient Co-Payment | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 100% | 0% | Eligible if all other requirements are met |
| $70,000 to $79,999 | 60% | 40% | Eligible if all other requirements are met |
| $80,000 to $89,999 | 40% | 60% | Eligible if all other requirements are met |
| $90,000 or more | Not eligible under the income test | Patient pays outside CDCP | Not eligible under the CDCP income requirement |
5. Additional Charges Above CDCP Fees
CDCP-established fees are not necessarily the same as a province or territory's dental fee guide or the amount a provider normally charges. Patients may have to pay additional charges directly to the oral health provider, in addition to any applicable co-payment. Before treatment, patients should ask the provider exactly what amount is covered by the CDCP and what amount will remain their responsibility.
Key Framework Highlights:
- Additional charges can exist even when the patient has a 0% CDCP co-payment.
- Additional charges are separate from the income-based co-payment.
- Patients should request a cost explanation before treatment.
- CDCP clients should not be required to pay the entire dental bill upfront and then seek reimbursement themselves.
- The CDCP reimburses participating providers directly for covered services.
6. How CDCP Provider Billing and Claims Work
CDCP clients generally do not submit reimbursement claims themselves. There are two provider participation routes: oral health professionals can formally sign up through Sun Life, or they can submit claims directly to Sun Life on a claim-by-claim basis. In either case, claims are paid to providers for covered services under the CDCP rules.
Action Checklist:
- Confirm the oral health provider accepts CDCP patients and will bill Sun Life directly.
- Confirm that your CDCP coverage is active before treatment.
- Confirm your current co-payment percentage.
- Ask whether the planned services require preauthorization.
- Ask the provider about any additional charges beyond the CDCP fee.
- Receive treatment only from the coverage start date shown in your welcome information.
- Pay only the amount that remains your responsibility after the CDCP claim is processed.
7. What Dental Services Are Covered?
The CDCP covers a broad range of oral health services, but coverage is subject to the current Dental Benefits Guide, CDCP fee schedules, clinical eligibility criteria, frequency limitations and preauthorization rules. A service being generally listed in the program does not guarantee that every instance of the service will be approved.
| Service Category | Examples | Important Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic | Examinations, assessments and dental radiographs | Frequency and eligibility rules apply. |
| Preventive | Scaling, polishing, fluoride and selected preventive procedures | Frequency limits and service-specific conditions apply. |
| Restorative | Certain fillings, crowns and related procedures | Crowns require preauthorization and have age, tooth, frequency and clinical criteria. |
| Endodontic | Root canal treatment and specified endodontic procedures | Standard root canals have different preauthorization rules from retreatments and certain other procedures. |
| Periodontal | Scaling and root planing and other periodontal services | Additional units above standard limits can require preauthorization. |
| Prosthodontic | Removable complete and partial dentures | Specific placement, replacement, frequency and preauthorization rules apply. |
| Oral surgery | Certain extractions and other surgical procedures | Some surgical procedures require preauthorization. |
8. Preventive and Diagnostic Services
The CDCP includes a range of diagnostic and preventive dental services, but the plan applies frequency limitations and coverage conditions. Examples include examinations, dental radiographs, scaling and polishing, fluoride applications and certain sealants.
Key Framework Highlights:
- Routine examinations can be covered subject to applicable frequency limits.
- Dental X-rays can be covered where the procedure meets the current CDCP rules.
- Scaling and root planing has specific unit-based frequency rules.
- Additional periodontal scaling and root-planing units can require preauthorization.
- Coverage is based on the CDCP benefit grid rather than a provider's private fee schedule.
9. Fillings, Crowns and Other Restorative Services
Restorative services are not all treated identically under the CDCP. Certain fillings can be covered within the applicable rules. Crowns are more restricted and require preauthorization. The 2026 Dental Benefits Guide states that certain single-unit crowns can be considered for clients aged 18 or older, subject to tooth eligibility, restorability and frequency limitations.
Key Framework Highlights:
- Crowns require preauthorization under the 2026 Dental Benefits Guide.
- Covered crown types include specified cast-metal, porcelain/ceramic-fused-to-metal and porcelain/ceramic single-unit crowns.
- The plan generally limits crowns to 4 in any 120 months per client and 1 in any 96 months per eligible tooth.
- Implant-supported crowns and implant-related procedures are excluded.
- Certain core and post procedures are covered only in combination with an approved crown preauthorization.
10. Root Canals and Endodontic Services
Root canal treatment is covered under specified CDCP rules when the tooth and clinical conditions satisfy the plan. The 2026 Dental Benefits Guide distinguishes standard root canal treatment from retreatment, apicoectomy and retrofilling, and it applies different preauthorization rules to these services.
| Endodontic Service | General 2026 Treatment |
|---|---|
| Standard root canal on eligible anterior teeth, bicuspids and first/second molars | Preauthorization generally not required, subject to eligibility and restorability criteria. |
| Standard root canal on a third molar | Preauthorization required under the specified CDCP rules. |
| Root canal retreatment | Preauthorization required; frequency limited to 1 per tooth per lifetime. |
| Apicoectomy | Preauthorization required; frequency limited to 1 per tooth per lifetime. |
| Retrofilling | Preauthorization required; frequency limited to 1 per tooth per lifetime. |
11. Dentures and Removable Prosthodontics
The CDCP covers certain removable complete and partial dentures, but the rules differ according to denture type and whether the denture is an initial placement or replacement. Some denture services require preauthorization, while others can be processed without it if frequency requirements are satisfied.
Key Framework Highlights:
- Implant-supported complete and partial dentures and implant-related procedures are excluded.
- Initial placement of removable partial dentures generally requires preauthorization.
- Removable partial acrylic dentures are generally limited to once every 60 months per arch.
- Removable partial cast dentures are generally limited to once every 96 months per arch.
- Most complete dentures are generally limited to once every 96 months per arch, subject to the detailed rules.
- Complete transitional/provisional and immediate dentures have specific once-per-lifetime restrictions.
- Repairs, relines and rebases have separate frequency limits.
12. Preauthorization: When CDCP Approval Is Required
Preauthorization is the process used to request CDCP approval before treatment for services that require prior approval. The current Dental Benefits Guide states that CDCP preauthorization uses clinical criteria established by Health Canada and can be more stringent than private-insurance preauthorization. Certain services must receive approval before treatment begins to qualify for coverage, except where post-determination can be requested in specified emergency circumstances.
| Service | Preauthorization Status |
|---|---|
| Certain crowns | Required |
| Certain restorative procedures | Required depending on procedure |
| Root canal retreatment / apicoectomy / retrofilling | Required |
| Additional scaling and root-planing units above ordinary frequency | Required |
| Initial removable partial dentures | Required |
| Certain complete dentures | Required depending on denture type |
| Certain oral surgery procedures | Required |
| Sedation services | Preauthorization required for qualifying services |
Action Checklist:
- Ask your provider whether the planned procedure requires preauthorization.
- Make sure the provider submits the treatment plan and supporting documentation.
- Do not assume that preauthorization from another dental plan automatically satisfies CDCP requirements.
- Wait for approval before starting treatment when the CDCP requires preauthorization.
- Remember that a preauthorization estimate can differ from the final amount payable under the plan at the time treatment occurs.
13. Major CDCP Exclusions
The CDCP has important exclusions. Not every dental treatment offered by a dentist is covered by the program, and some procedures may be excluded even when a related service is covered.
| Treatment | General CDCP Status |
|---|---|
| Implants | Excluded |
| Implant-related procedures | Excluded |
| Implant-supported crowns | Excluded |
| Certain orthodontic services | Limited services can be requested, subject to the program's evolving eligibility and implementation rules. |
| Services failing CDCP clinical eligibility requirements | Not covered even if the treatment is ordinarily offered by a dental provider. |
| Treatment outside the member's effective coverage dates | Not covered by the CDCP. |
14. Frequency Limits Can Affect Coverage
CDCP coverage is not unlimited by procedure. Many services have frequency limitations expressed per tooth, per arch, per client or over a specified number of months or years. A service that was previously covered can therefore become ineligible if the applicable frequency limit has already been reached.
Key Framework Highlights:
- Crowns: generally 4 in any 120 months per client and 1 in any 96 months per eligible tooth.
- Root canal retreatment, apicoectomy and retrofilling: generally 1 per eligible tooth per lifetime.
- Partial dentures: different replacement periods apply according to denture type.
- Complete dentures: generally subject to 96-month rules, with special once-per-lifetime rules for certain immediate or transitional dentures.
- Repairs, relines, rebases and tissue conditioning have their own frequency limits.
15. Government Dental Programs and Coordination of Benefits
Access to a federal, provincial or territorial government dental program does not automatically disqualify a person from the CDCP. Where a person qualifies for both programs, coordination of benefits can apply so that eligible coverage is coordinated rather than duplicated. The exact billing sequence depends on the government program and jurisdiction.
Key Framework Highlights:
- Private dental insurance access generally makes an applicant ineligible.
- Government-sponsored dental programs are treated differently and can coordinate with CDCP.
- The CDCP is generally the primary payer in certain provincial coordination arrangements, with the secondary program handling remaining eligible amounts under its own rules.
- The patient remains responsible for co-payments and amounts not covered by the applicable programs.
16. 2026-2027 Application and Renewal Process
Applications for the July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 benefit year are open to eligible Canadian residents. Existing CDCP members were required to renew by June 1, 2026 to avoid interruption. Members who missed that deadline can submit a new application, but there can be a gap in coverage until eligibility is approved again.
Action Checklist:
- Sign in or create a My Service Canada Account.
- Open the Canadian Dental Care Plan section of your MSCA dashboard.
- Apply for the 2026-2027 benefit year if you are eligible.
- Provide the requested SIN, name, date of birth, address and government dental-program information where applicable.
- Ensure required Canadian tax returns have been filed and the relevant Notice of Assessment is available.
- After approval, review your coverage start date and member information.
- For renewals, re-attest annually that you continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements.
17. Practical CDCP Appointment Checklist
The easiest way to avoid unexpected CDCP costs is to confirm the treatment and billing arrangement before the appointment.
Action Checklist:
- Confirm that the provider accepts CDCP patients.
- Confirm that the provider will bill Sun Life directly.
- Check your CDCP coverage status and effective date.
- Confirm your income-based co-payment percentage.
- Ask whether the planned procedure requires preauthorization.
- Ask for the provider's expected total charge.
- Ask what portion is covered by the CDCP-established fee and what additional amount you may have to pay.
- Do not assume that 0% co-payment means zero dollars owing.
- After treatment, review the provider's explanation of the amount paid by CDCP and the amount charged to you.
18. Key CDCP 2026 Takeaways
Key Framework Highlights:
- 2026-2027 benefit year: July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
- Eligibility requires adjusted family net income below $90,000.
- There must generally be no access to private dental insurance or coverage.
- AFNI under $70,000 means a 0% co-payment on CDCP-established fees.
- AFNI of $70,000-$79,999 means a 40% co-payment on CDCP-established fees.
- AFNI of $80,000-$89,999 means a 60% co-payment on CDCP-established fees.
- Additional provider charges can still apply in addition to the income-based co-payment.
- Claims are paid to participating oral health providers; clients do not submit reimbursement claims to Sun Life themselves.
- Crowns, certain root-canal procedures, dentures, oral surgery and other services can require preauthorization.
- Implants and implant-related procedures are excluded.
- Coverage is governed by the current CDCP Dental Benefits Guide and benefit grids, including clinical criteria and frequency limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Government & CRA References
- Government of Canada — Canadian Dental Care Plan
- Government of Canada — CDCP Eligibility
- Government of Canada — CDCP 2026-2027 Application
- Government of Canada — CDCP in My Service Canada Account
- Government of Canada — CDCP Dental Benefits Guide, Effective April 1, 2026
- Government of Canada — CDCP Provider Information
- Government of Canada — CDCP Preauthorization Resources
- Government of Canada — CDCP Examples of Co-Payments and Additional Charges
- Government of Canada — CDCP 2026 Renewal Information
CDCP Key Metrics — 2026-2027
- Eligibility Income LimitAdjusted Family Net Income less than $90,000
- 0% Co-Payment TierAFNI under $70,000
- 40% Co-Payment TierAFNI $70,000 to $79,999
- 60% Co-Payment TierAFNI $80,000 to $89,999
- Current Benefit YearJuly 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
- Plan AdministratorSun Life
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