The Canadian Dental Care Plan is expanding and millions of adults can soon get coverage
No insurance? No problem. 🦷
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is expanding eligibility to millions of adults in May 2025.
Canada's dental care plan just got a major expansion — and if you've been holding off on booking a dentist appointment, this might be your sign.
The Government of Canada announced on Saturday that even more Canadians will be able to apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) in 2025, which could help you save big on oral health care.
Whether you've been following Canadian Dental Care Plan news or are just now hearing about this government benefit for the first time, the expansion means millions more Canadians will soon be eligible for coverage. That includes adults aged 18 to 64 who don't have dental insurance, depending on their income and tax filing status.
According to Health Canada, this rollout could give up to 4.5 million more uninsured Canadians access to dental care — all under Canada's dental plan that's aiming to make oral health services more affordable nationwide.
"Access to affordable dental care is vital for Canadians to enable better health outcomes, reduce barriers to care and alleviate pressure on our health care system," Health Minister Kamal Khera said in a release on Saturday.
Health Canada says that nearly 98% of dental providers in Canada are participating, so it's easier than ever to find a dentist who will accept the plan.
So, who's eligible now, what does the CDCP actually cover, and how can you sign up? Here's the scoop.
What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a government program aimed at making dental care more affordable for eligible Canadians. It officially launched in 2023 and has been rolling out in phases.
So far, more than 3.4 million Canadians have been approved, and over 1.6 million have already received care under the plan, according to Health Canada.
The CDCP is one of the country's largest social programs, with the goal of eventually covering up to 9 million people across Canada who might otherwise skip the dentist due to cost.
Who's newly eligible under the expansion?
Currently, only seniors, children and disabled adults are eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Program, although eligibility is expanding to adults of all ages soon.
Starting in May 2025, Canadians aged 18 to 64 who meet the plan's requirements will be able to apply. Applications will open in three stages by age group:
- May 1: 55 to 64 years old
- May 15: 18 to 34 years old
- May 29: 35 to 54 years old
If you're in one of those age groups and you don't have dental insurance, you could qualify.
Canadian Dental Care Plan eligibility
To qualify for the CDCP, you need to meet all of the following criteria:
- No dental insurance — You can't have dental coverage through work, school, a pension or a private plan.
- Tax filing — You (and your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one) must have filed your 2024 tax return and received your notice of assessment.
- Income cap — Your adjusted family net income must be under $90,000.
- Residency — You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
Even if you have some government dental benefits through a provincial, territorial or federal government social program, you may still qualify — the CDCP will coordinate with existing plans to avoid gaps or overlap.
What does the Canadian Dental Care Plan cover?
The CDCP covers a wide range of services like:
- Dental exams, x-rays, cleanings and fluoride treatments
- Fillings and root canals
- Posts and crowns
- Dentures and repairs
- Tooth extractions and some oral surgeries
- Sedation and anesthesia
Orthodontic services aren't covered just yet, but they're expected to be added in 2025 for people with specific medical need.
Some covered services require preauthorization, meaning your provider will recommend services and the CDCP will confirm whether they will be covered by the plan. This preauthorization needs to happen before you receive the treatments.
It's worth noting that while the CDCP helps with costs, it doesn't always cover 100%. How much you pay depends on your income and how much your provider charges.
How much will you have to pay?
You may have a co-pay, depending on your income. Here's how coverage works based on how much your family makes:
- Under $70,000 — CDCP covers 100% of eligible costs (at government rates).
- $70,000 to $79,999 — CDCP covers 60%, you pay 40%.
- $80,000 to $89,999 — CDCP covers 40%, you pay 60%.
Plus, if your provider charges more than the plan covers or offers services that aren't covered by the CDCP, you'll pay the extra. Always ask about potential costs before treatment.
If you're covered under the CDCP, don't pay the full cost upfront — the plan only reimburses your provider, not you, so you won't get that money back.
You can find the CDCP established rates by province or territory and provider type on the Sun Life website. The new rates for 2025 will be available as of April 1.
How to apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan
If you're eligible, you can apply online, by phone or in person at a Service Canada Centre once applications open in May 2025 for your age group. Health Canada strongly encourages all eligible Canadians to apply online if possible, since this is the easiest and fastest way to have your application processed.
To get started, you'll need to have a few basic details handy, including your social insurance number (SIN), date of birth, full name and your home and mailing addresses. If you have a spouse, common-law partner or children, you'll also need their info, since you'll apply for everyone in your household at the same time.
When you apply, you'll be asked to confirm that you don't have dental insurance through work, school, a pension or a private plan. There's no need to submit proof, but giving false information could get you removed from the plan or even require you to pay back the cost of any services you received.
Once your application is approved, you'll get a welcome package from Sun Life — the company managing the plan — with all the details you need, including your benefit start date and member card. Just remember, you can't use your coverage until your official start date, so don't book that dentist appointment too early!
Renewing your CDCP coverage
Once you're approved for the CDCP, you'll need to renew your coverage each year.
If you're already a CDCP member, you must renew this year by June 1, or your coverage will end on June 30 — and any services during that gap won't be reimbursed. Once you've filed your 2024 tax return and received your notice of assessment, you can renew online, in your My Service Canada Account or via phone.
When can you start using the CDCP?
Once you're enrolled, you can start visiting the dentist as soon as your coverage kicks in — just don't book for an appointment before your benefit start date, or it won't be covered. Also, make sure your provider accepts CDCP patients and bills Sun Life directly — you can find a CDCP provider here if you don't already have one.
Health Canada says that Canadians who are newly eligible under the expansion, as well as those already signed up who are eligible to renew, should soon be receiving letters from the government reminding them to apply — so keep an eye out!
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