[Spring 2026 GPS] Canada Dental Care Plan:

James Schofield - Jun 29, 2026

A brief introduction to the CDCP as a useful tool for easing dental care costs for middle to low income households.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan, also known as the CDCP, is a significant federal government initiative aimed at reducing out-of-pocket dental care costs for eligible Canadians without access to private dental insurance. Health Canada is responsible for managing the program, and Sun Life is responsible for administering it.

To be eligible, you must be a resident of Canada, have filed a tax return in the previous year, have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000, and have no access to private dental insurance (through an employer, pension, or student plan). CDBP provides coverage for a wide range of oral health procedures, including examinations, cleanings (scaling), X-rays, fillings, root canals, and dentures. Orthodontic services are included at this rate.

It is not a completely free program. Depending on your household income, you may be required to make a co-payment: When the adjusted family net income is:

For less than $70,000, there is no co-payment.
Between $70,000 and $79,999, a 40% co-payment is required.
A 60% co-payment applies to the range of $80,000 to $89,999.