Dental care plan applications open for 2026-27 period

The federal Canadian Dental Care Plan is accepting applications for the 2026-27 benefit period, but the renewal window for existing members closed on June 1, 2026, according to Health Canada’s CDCP page.

People who had coverage in 2025-26 and did not renew can apply again, but they will have a gap in coverage. Health Canada said any dental care received during that gap will not be covered or reimbursed retroactively.

The plan runs in a single benefit period that ends each year on June 30. Renewals for the 2027-28 period are expected in spring 2027, the department said.

Who qualifies

Applicants must meet four requirements, Health Canada said. They cannot have access to private dental insurance, whether through work, a pension, a family member’s plan, a professional or student organization, or a policy they bought themselves. Coverage counts even if it was never used or does not pay the full cost.

They must also have filed a tax return in Canada for the previous year, as must a spouse or common-law partner, if they have one. Both partners must be residents of Canada for tax purposes.

The fourth requirement is income. Adjusted family net income must be less than $90,000, calculated from the tax returns of the applicant and their partner.

The department said people can check whether they have access to dental coverage through their tax slips. Box 45 of a T4 or box 015 of a T4A will show a "1" if there is no access. Having coverage through a federal, provincial or territorial social program does not necessarily rule someone out, because coverage may be coordinated to avoid duplication.

What it pays

How much the plan covers depends on income. The percentages apply to the plan’s established fees, not necessarily to what a dental office charges.

Patients may still owe charges above those fees, Health Canada said, such as when a service costs more than the plan reimburses or when they agree to a service the plan does not cover.

According to the department’s coverage page, the plan includes exams, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants. It also covers fillings, root canals, treatment of gum disease, complete dentures and denture repairs, tooth extractions and some other oral surgery, and certain sedation services. Orthodontic services are not currently available.

Some services need approval from the plan before treatment. They include crowns, partial dentures, re-treatment of a previous root canal, and deep sedation or general anesthesia. The dentist recommends the service and the plan confirms coverage. Not every request is approved, and a patient can still go ahead and pay the provider directly.

How to apply

There is no fee to apply or renew, and Health Canada warns people to be cautious of anyone asking for personal, banking or credit card information.

Applicants can apply online through a My Service Canada Account, or through an online form on Canada.ca if they cannot use the account. They can also apply by phone with Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342 (TTY 1-833-677-6262).

For each person on the application, including children, the department said applicants need a full name, date of birth, home and mailing address, and a Social Insurance Number if one is available for a child. They also need a list of any dental coverage through government social programs. A spouse or common-law partner has to submit their own application to be covered, but their information is needed to confirm marital status.

After applying, people can check the status of an application online or through the account. Health Canada said coverage stays inactive until a new application is approved.

Finding a dentist

In an April 17 news release, Health Canada said more than 6.5 million Canadians were covered under the plan and more than 4 million had already received care. It said members save an average of $900 a year.

The department said close to 100 per cent of active dentists, denturists, dental hygienists and dental specialists in Canada are caring for plan patients. Members without a dentist can use Sun Life’s CDCP Provider Search, it said.

The same release said anyone who had not yet applied should file their taxes, since a filed return is one of the eligibility requirements.

This article is based on official guidance from Health Canada and is provided for general public information. It’s not a substitute for medical advice, if you have questions about how this applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

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Sources: Health Canada, Canadian Dental Care Plan; Who can apply; How to apply; Renew your coverage; What services are covered; April 17, 2026 news release.