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What you need to know about the Canadian Dental Care Plan

June 23, 2025 | 5-minute read

Have you heard about the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)? Announced by the federal government in 2023, it’s been rolling out slowly in stages. All Canadians are expected to be able to apply throughout May in 2025. For the latest information on when you can apply, check out the official government’s resources.

While the idea of universal health and dental coverage might be very attractive, the rules around this new dental care plan in Canada can be confusing. Let’s take a look at some common misconceptions about the CDCP coverage.

Misconception #1: All Canadians qualify for CDCP

Adults 65 and over, children under 18, and adults with a disability tax credit certificate for 2025 are eligible. This eligibility is also open to people aged 18 to 64. To qualify, however, you must meet all 4 of the eligibility requirements before applying for the current coverage period, which ends on June 30, 2025.

To qualify for the CDCP, you must have an adjusted family income of less than $90,000 in 2024.¹ “Adjusted family income” means your income plus your spouse’s income, less any income you received from universal childcare benefits (UCCB) or a registered disability savings plan (RDSP), plus any repaid UCCB/RDSP amounts. For example, you wouldn't be eligible if you work full-time and earn $80,000 a year, and your spouse earns $10,100 from a part-time job.

In addition, you must:

Be a Canadian resident and have filed an income tax return in the previous year.
Not have dental coverage through your employer or your spouse’s employer or pension benefit (if you have benefits elsewhere and choose to “opt out,” you’re still not eligible for CDCP).
Not have independent dental coverage from an insurance company.

Misconception #2: All dental professionals participate in the new dental care plan in Canada

Participation in CDCP is entirely voluntary. The plan is available to dentists, denturists, dental hygienists and dental specialists, who can either sign up for the Canadian Dental Care Plan or submit claims on a claim-by-claim basis. If you’re eligible for CDCP, check with your dental care practitioner before you have any work done. If they haven’t signed on, the cost may not be covered.

Misconception #3: Enrollment is automatic

To get CDCP coverage, you must apply and meet the requirements every year. You must wait to be approved before getting any treatment. Otherwise, it won’t be covered. According to the Canadian Dental Association, this can take up to three months.² You can apply online on the Canadian Dental Care Plan website or by phone if you can’t apply online. You’ll need the following information to apply:

Social insurance number
Full name, date of birth and home and mailing address
List of any dental coverage you have through government social programs

Misconception #4: All dental services are covered

The Canadian Dental Care Plan covers a range of preventive, basic and major services, such as those listed below. Some services require you to check with the government first before getting treatment (pre-authorization), and some are subject to frequency limitations. In all cases, the service must be recommended as necessary by a dental professional who participates in the CDCP. For details on coverage, refer to the CDCP Dental Benefits Guide.

Cleaning, polishing, fluoride treatments and other preventative services
Diagnostic services, like exams and X-rays
Fillings and other restorative treatments
Endodontic treatment, such as root canal
Full and partial dentures
Periodontal services
Oral surgery, including extractions

Misconception #5: The CDCP covers 100% of costs

The CDCP may not fully cover your cost of treatment. You may have to pay additional charges if:

The established CDCP dental fees are less than the actual fees charged by your provider. For example, your dentist might charge $150 for a filling while the CDCP fee is $130. You’d need to pay the $20 difference out of your own pocket.
You agree to services that the CDCP doesn’t cover.
Your adjusted family income is more than $70,000 (in 2024). This is known as a co-payment.

Understanding dental health coverage co-payments

Adjusted family net income (after tax)	CDCP coverage	Your co-payment amount
Less than $70,000	100%	0%
$70,000 - $79,999	60%	40%
$80,000 - $89,999	40%	60%

How CDCP compares with Manulife health and dental plans

Feature	CDCP	Manulife
Eligibility	Available only to Canadian residents with adjusted family income (after-tax) of less than $90,000. You must meet the requirements and apply every year for coverage.	You need to be a resident of Canada and have provincial/territorial healthcare coverage when you apply. Your coverage stays in place as long as you continue to pay your premiums (unless you choose to cancel). There’s no need to reapply every year
Dental coverage	Fees are set by the CDCP and may not be the same as what your provider charges. If your family income is more than $70,000, you may have to cover part of the total cost (up to 60%) yourself.	Coverage varies by plan. Most plans cover 80% of total cost; fees are based on current territorial and provincial fee guides.
Additional health coverage	None	Our plans include not only dental coverage but also vision care, prescription drugs, mental healthcare, ambulance services, virtual healthcare and more.
Integration with other plans	None. If you have coverage under another plan (including your spouse’s plan), you’re not eligible for CDCP.	Yes. If you have some coverage at work or under your spouse’s plan, we’ll help ensure the plans work together to maximize the value of your benefits.

Take care of your teeth and gums!

Good oral care can play a key role in overall physical health, and the CDCP is a great place to start. For the most current information, visit Canada.ca. For additional coverage, tailored to fit your needs, remember to take your time and compare options so you can make an informed decision.