Reviewed June 3, 2026 · Health and dental plans for Canadians outside Quebec.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is one of the biggest changes to dental access in a generation, and for millions of Canadians without coverage it is genuinely good news. It is also widely misunderstood. This is a factual, non-political look at what the CDCP covers, what it costs, and where a private dental plan still does something the CDCP does not.
Is this you?
- You have no dental coverage and want to know if the CDCP can help.
- You qualify for the CDCP but keep hearing it is "free" and want the real story.
- Your income is over the limit, or you have workplace coverage, and you are wondering what your options are.
- You are on the CDCP and want to know what it will not cover so there are no surprises at the dentist.
What the CDCP is (and is not)
The CDCP is a federal program that helps cover the cost of dental care for Canadians who do not have access to private dental insurance. It is administered by Sun Life on behalf of the federal government. After a phased rollout that began in 2024, the plan is now open to all eligible ages — as of the 2026-27 benefit year it is no longer restricted by age group.
The most important thing to understand: the CDCP is a subsidy, not free dentistry. It pays a share of costs based on a government fee schedule. Most people on the plan still pay something out of pocket.
Who qualifies
Three criteria, all of which must be true:
- Income. Your adjusted family net income must be under $90,000.
- No access to private dental insurance. If you can get dental coverage through an employer, union, pension, or an individual plan — even if you do not enrol in it — you are not eligible.
- Canadian resident for tax purposes who has filed the most recent tax return.
Eligibility for a given benefit year is based on your tax return from the prior year.
What it costs you
The CDCP scales your share by income, against the plan's established fees:
- Under $70,000: the CDCP covers 100% of its established fees — no co-pay.
- $70,000 to $79,999: you pay a 40% co-pay.
- $80,000 to $89,999: you pay a 60% co-pay.
- $90,000 or more: not eligible.
One honest wrinkle even in the no-co-pay tier: the CDCP reimburses at its own fee schedule, and dentists are permitted to bill their usual and customary fees on top. If your dentist charges more than the CDCP rate for a procedure, you can owe the difference. Ask your provider up front whether they bill at CDCP rates.
What the CDCP covers
The plan covers a broad set of oral health services, including:
- Diagnostic — exams and X-rays.
- Preventive — cleanings (scaling), fluoride, sealants.
- Restorative — fillings.
- Endodontic — root canals.
- Periodontal — gum-disease treatment.
- Prosthodontic — dentures.
- Oral surgery — extractions.
Some major services require your dentist to submit a pre-authorization before treatment. Cosmetic dentistry (whitening, veneers) and most orthodontics (braces, clear aligners) are generally not covered, and coverage for implants is limited.
Where private dental still matters
The CDCP fills a real gap, but it is not the right or available answer for everyone:
- If your income is over $90,000, the CDCP is not open to you at all. Private dental is your route to predictable coverage.
- If you have workplace or pension dental, you are not eligible for the CDCP — your group or individual plan is your coverage.
- If you face co-pays at the higher income tiers, a private dental plan may cost less out of pocket than a 40% or 60% co-pay, depending on the plan and how much dental work you expect.
- If you want broader coverage — orthodontics, or a wider provider choice — private plans are accepted at virtually every dental office and can include services the CDCP does not.
There is also a smart move for people who *do* qualify for the CDCP: because eligibility requires having no private dental coverage, you can shop for a health-only plan — prescription drugs, vision, paramedical — without paying for dental you are getting through the CDCP. That keeps your monthly cost down while the CDCP handles your teeth.
The bottom line
The CDCP is a meaningful step toward dental access, and if you qualify with income under $70,000 and no other coverage, it is well worth enrolling. But it is a subsidy with income limits, co-pays, a fee schedule, and coverage boundaries — not universal or free dentistry. Whether the CDCP, a private dental plan, or a health-only plan alongside the CDCP is right for you depends on your income and what you need covered.
To see what private health and dental plans cost for your age and province — no contact information needed to view prices — compare plans side by side.
Get Health Coverage is an independent comparison platform. We don't sell insurance and take no commission — plans are ranked by price. The CDCP is a federal government program; eligibility and benefits are set by the Government of Canada. Coverage is available in every province and territory except Quebec.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, have filed your most recent 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, pension, or an individual plan. As of the 2026-27 benefit year, the CDCP is no longer limited by age; all eligible ages can apply.
Is the CDCP free dental care?
Not exactly. Families with an adjusted net income under $70,000 have no co-pay on the CDCP's established fees. From $70,000 to $79,999 you pay a 40 percent co-pay, and from $80,000 to $89,999 you pay 60 percent. The plan also reimburses at its own fee schedule, and dentists may bill above it, so you can owe a balance even in the no-co-pay tier.
What does the CDCP cover?
A broad range of services: diagnostic (exams, X-rays), preventive (cleanings, fluoride, sealants), restorative (fillings), endodontic (root canals), periodontal (gum treatment), prosthodontic (dentures), and oral surgery (extractions). Some major services require pre-authorization from your dentist before treatment. Cosmetic work and most orthodontics are generally not covered.
Can I have both the CDCP and private dental insurance?
No. Having access to private dental coverage makes you ineligible for the CDCP, even if you do not use it. The two are mutually exclusive. If you lose private coverage — through job loss or retirement — and your income qualifies, you may then become eligible for the CDCP.
Do I have to use a specific dentist for the CDCP?
You must see an oral health provider who has agreed to participate in the CDCP. Most have signed up, but not all, so confirm participation when you book. Private dental insurance, by contrast, is accepted at virtually any dental office in Canada.