What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan — commonly referred to as the CDCP — is a federal government program designed to provide dental coverage to Canadians who do not have access to private dental insurance. Launched in phases starting in 2024, the program has been expanding to cover more eligible residents each year. By 2026, the CDCP is available to all eligible Canadians regardless of age, though enrolment remains phased and prioritized.
The CDCP exists because roughly one in three Canadians lacks dental insurance, and millions have been delaying or avoiding dental care because of cost. Dental health is directly connected to overall health — untreated dental problems can contribute to heart disease, diabetes complications, respiratory infections, and chronic pain. The federal government recognized this gap and created the CDCP to address it.
But the CDCP is not a replacement for private dental insurance. It is a targeted program with specific eligibility rules, coverage limits, and coordination requirements that every Canadian should understand.
Who Is Eligible for the CDCP?
Eligibility for the CDCP is based on three criteria:
Income: Your adjusted family net income must be under $90,000. Families earning under $70,000 pay no co-pays. Those earning between $70,000 and $79,999 pay a co-pay of up to 40% of the cost of covered services. Families earning between $80,000 and $89,999 pay a co-pay of up to 60%.
| Family Net Income | CDCP Pays | You Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 100% | Nothing |
| $70,000 – $79,999 | 60% | 40% |
| $80,000 – $89,999 | 40% | 60% |
| $90,000+ | Not eligible | 100% |
⚠️ The CDCP reimburses at its own fee schedule, and dentists are allowed to bill above it. "You pay nothing" is only true at CDCP fee-schedule rates — if your dentist charges more than the program's rate for a service, you pay the difference even in the 100% tier.
No access to private dental insurance: If you have dental coverage through an employer, a union, a retirement plan, or a private individual plan, you are not eligible for the CDCP. The program is designed for people who have no other option.
Canadian resident for tax purposes: You must be a resident of Canada and have filed a tax return. Non-residents and temporary visitors are not eligible.
The program has prioritized enrolment in waves. Seniors aged 65 and older were the first group enrolled, followed by children under 18 and persons with a valid disability tax credit certificate. Remaining eligible adults have been phased in throughout 2025 and 2026.
What Does the CDCP Cover?
The CDCP covers a range of dental services organized into categories:
Preventive services: Examinations, cleanings (scaling), fluoride treatments, sealants, and oral hygiene instruction. Most Canadians will use these services annually or semi-annually.
Diagnostic services: X-rays (bitewing, periapical, panoramic), oral pathology screening, and other diagnostic procedures that help your dentist identify problems.
Restorative services: Fillings (amalgam and composite), temporary restorations, and some prefabricated crowns. These address cavities and tooth damage.
Endodontic services: Root canal treatments for front teeth and premolars. Coverage for molar root canals may be limited or require pre-authorization.
Periodontal services: Scaling and root planing for gum disease, periodontal assessments, and some surgical periodontal treatments.
Prosthodontic services: Complete and partial dentures, including repairs and relines. Coverage for dental implants is limited under the CDCP.
Oral surgery: Simple and surgical extractions, and some other oral surgery procedures.
What the CDCP does not typically cover includes cosmetic dentistry (teeth whitening, veneers), orthodontics (braces, Invisalign), dental implants in most cases, and sedation beyond basic local anaesthesia. Coverage limits and fee schedules are based on the program's established rates, which may be lower than what your dentist charges. Some dentists have opted out of the CDCP, meaning you would need to find a participating provider.
How the CDCP and Private Dental Insurance Interact
A critical point: the CDCP and private dental insurance are mutually exclusive for eligibility purposes. If you have access to private dental insurance — even if you choose not to enrol in it — you are generally not eligible for the CDCP.
However, coordination of benefits can come into play in certain situations. If you lose your private dental coverage (for example, due to job loss or retirement) and your income qualifies, you may then become eligible for the CDCP. Conversely, if you are on the CDCP and gain access to private coverage through a new employer, you would need to transition off the CDCP.
For families where one spouse has private coverage and the other does not, the rules can be complex. The spouse without private coverage may be eligible for the CDCP for their own dental care, but dependents covered under the private plan would not be eligible.
Understanding these interactions is important because making the wrong assumption could leave you without coverage or in violation of program rules.
Why Some Canadians Still Need Private Dental Even with the CDCP
The CDCP is a welcome addition to Canada's healthcare landscape, but it has limitations that make private dental insurance the better choice for many Canadians:
Income above $90,000: If your family income exceeds the threshold, you are not eligible for the CDCP at all. Private dental is your only option beyond paying out of pocket.
Co-pays at higher income levels: Even within the eligible income range, families earning $70,000 to $89,999 face significant co-pays of 40% to 60%. Private dental plans typically offer 80% to 100% coverage for preventive and basic services.
Limited major dental coverage: The CDCP has restricted coverage for crowns, bridges, implants, and orthodontics. A single dental crown can cost $1,000 to $1,500 — if the CDCP does not cover it, that comes out of your pocket. Private plans often cover major dental at 50% to 60% with annual maximums of $1,500 to $3,000.
Provider availability: Not all dentists participate in the CDCP. If your preferred dentist has opted out, you either switch dentists or pay out of pocket. Private insurance is accepted by virtually all dental offices in Canada.
Fee schedule gaps: The CDCP reimburses based on its own fee schedule, which may be lower than your dentist's actual charges. You could be responsible for the difference. Private plans typically follow provincial dental fee guides, which are more closely aligned with what dentists actually charge.
Broader coverage: Private dental plans often include benefits the CDCP does not, such as orthodontics for children, cosmetic procedures, implants, and sedation dentistry.
Should You Choose the CDCP or Private Dental?
If your income is under $70,000 and you have no access to private dental insurance, the CDCP is an excellent resource that provides meaningful coverage at no co-pay cost. Enrol and use it.
There is a second financial win if you go this route: because CDCP eligibility requires having no private dental coverage, you can shop for a health-only plan — drugs, vision, paramedical — without paying for dental benefits you do not need. A plan without dental costs less each month, and you can redirect those savings toward better drug or paramedical coverage while the CDCP handles your dental care. Use our CDCP eligibility checker to quickly confirm whether you qualify before making that call.
If your income is between $70,000 and $90,000, compare the CDCP co-pay structure to the cost of a private dental plan. In some cases, a private plan costing $40 to $80 per month will provide better coverage with lower out-of-pocket costs than the CDCP's 40% to 60% co-pays.
If your income exceeds $90,000, the CDCP is not available to you, and private dental insurance is the way to protect yourself from unexpected dental expenses.
If you are self-employed, remember that private dental insurance premiums are tax-deductible, which reduces the effective cost. The CDCP offers no tax benefit since there is no premium to deduct.
The Bottom Line
The CDCP is a significant step forward in making dental care accessible to more Canadians. But it is not universal dental coverage, and it is not a substitute for private dental insurance in many situations. Understanding the eligibility rules, coverage limits, and co-pay structure will help you make the right decision for your family. If you are unsure whether the CDCP or private dental is better for your situation, comparing your options side by side is the best place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the CDCP?
Canadian residents for tax purposes who have filed a tax return, have an adjusted family net income under $90,000, and have no access to private dental insurance — including coverage through an employer, union, retirement plan, or an individual plan.
Do I pay anything for dental care under the CDCP?
Families earning under $70,000 have no co-pays. Between $70,000 and $79,999 the co-pay is up to 40 percent, and between $80,000 and $89,999 it is up to 60 percent. The program also reimburses at its own fee schedule, so if your dentist charges more than the CDCP rate for a service, you pay the difference.
What does the CDCP not cover?
Cosmetic dentistry such as whitening and veneers, orthodontics like braces and Invisalign, dental implants in most cases, and sedation beyond basic local anaesthesia. Coverage for major restorative work is limited, and some dentists have opted out of the program.
Can I have both the CDCP and private dental insurance?
No. If you have access to private dental coverage — even if you choose not to enrol in it — you are generally not eligible for the CDCP. If you later lose private coverage and your income still qualifies, you may then become eligible.