Last updated: October 2026
You qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) if you have no access to private dental insurance, your adjusted family net income is under $90,000, you filed your taxes in Canada for the previous year, and you are a Canadian resident for tax purposes. Applications are open for the 2026–27 benefit period, which runs from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
This guide explains each rule in plain language, what you’ll pay, how to apply, and what to bring to your first visit. Bells Corners Dental Studio in Nepean accepts CDCP, so we’ve also answered the questions patients most often ask about it.
The 4 CDCP Eligibility Rules
You must meet all four to qualify:
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| 1. No access to dental insurance | You can’t get dental coverage through a job, a pension, a family member’s plan, a professional or student association, or a plan you buy yourself |
| 2. Income under $90,000 | Your adjusted family net income must be less than $90,000 |
| 3. Taxes filed | You (and your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one) filed a tax return in Canada for the previous year |
| 4. Canadian resident | You (and your spouse or partner) are residents of Canada for tax purposes |
What counts as “access to dental insurance”?
It’s about access, not whether you use it. If your employer offers dental coverage and you turned it down, you are usually not eligible.
There is one exception. Retired people who opted out of pension dental coverage before December 11, 2023, and can’t opt back in may still qualify.
Government programs don’t automatically disqualify you
Having dental coverage through a provincial, territorial or federal social program (such as Ontario Works, ODSP or Healthy Smiles Ontario) does not automatically disqualify you. The plans can work together.
How “adjusted family net income” is calculated
It’s your family’s net income (line 23600 of your tax return, plus your spouse’s), minus any Universal Child Care Benefit and RDSP income, plus any of those amounts you repaid. For most families, it’s close to the combined line 23600 amounts.
How Much Will You Pay? CDCP Co-Payments
CDCP pays a set fee for each covered service. Depending on your income, you may pay part of that fee:
| Adjusted family net income | You pay (co-payment) |
|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 0% |
| $70,000 – $79,999 | 40% of the CDCP fee |
| $80,000 – $89,999 | 60% of the CDCP fee |
You may also pay an extra charge if your dentist’s fee is higher than what CDCP pays, or if you choose a service the plan doesn’t cover. Your dental office should tell you about any extra cost before treatment.
How to Apply for CDCP
You apply through Service Canada, not through your dentist. Applying is free.
- Online through My Service Canada Account (MSCA). Sign in, open the Canadian Dental Care Plan section and choose to apply.
- Online through Canada.ca, if you can’t use MSCA.
- By phone: call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342 (TTY 1-833-677-6262).
Each person applies separately. Your spouse or common-law partner submits their own application, and you’ll need information for each child you’re applying for.
What happens after you apply
- If you’re approved, you get a letter from the Government of Canada with your CDCP member ID, your coverage start date and your co-payment level.
- Sun Life, which runs the plan’s claims, mails a welcome package with a member card. You don’t need the card to book. Your member ID, coverage start date and photo ID are enough.
- Book your appointment on or after your coverage start date. Visits before that date aren’t covered.
Do You Need to Re-Apply Every Year?
Yes, coverage runs one benefit year at a time (July 1 to June 30), and you need to renew to keep it. For 2026–27, the renewal window closed on June 1, 2026.
If you missed renewal, you can still submit a new application for 2026–27, but there may be a gap in coverage until your new start date.
Why You Might Not Be Eligible
Common reasons people find they don’t qualify:
- They have access to insurance through work, even if they didn’t sign up for it
- A spouse’s plan covers the family
- Their spouse didn’t file a tax return for the previous year
- Family income is $90,000 or more
- They’re not a Canadian resident for tax purposes
If your situation changes (for example, you lose workplace benefits), you can apply then.
What Does CDCP Cover?
CDCP covers a wide range of everyday care, including exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, root canals, gum treatment, extractions and complete dentures. Some services, such as crowns and partial dentures, need preauthorization first. Orthodontic treatment isn’t currently available.
We break down coverage in detail, including implants, crowns and dentures, in What Does CDCP Cover?
Using CDCP at Bells Corners Dental Studio
We accept CDCP and bill Sun Life directly, so you don’t pay the full cost up front. Before treatment we confirm your coverage, tell you if a service needs preauthorization, and explain any co-payment or extra cost. Children, adults and seniors are all welcome at our Nepean office.
Approved for CDCP? Book your first visit.
Have your member ID and coverage start date ready, and we’ll take care of the billing.
Book Online Call or Text (613) 421-2222 New Patients2150 Robertson Rd, Unit 9, Nepean, ON K2H 9S1 · CDCP accepted · Direct billing
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I’m eligible for CDCP?
You’re eligible if you have no access to dental insurance, your adjusted family net income is under $90,000, you filed taxes in Canada for the previous year, and you’re a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
What is the income limit for the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
Your adjusted family net income must be under $90,000. Families under $70,000 pay no co-payment.
Can I get CDCP if I have dental insurance through work?
No. If you have access to dental insurance through an employer, pension or family member, you aren’t eligible, even if you chose not to enrol.
Do I need to apply for CDCP every year?
Yes. Coverage runs from July 1 to June 30, and you need to renew each year to keep it.
Can I use CDCP if I’m on ODSP or Ontario Works?
Coverage through a government social program doesn’t automatically disqualify you. The plans can coordinate.
When can I book my first CDCP appointment?
On or after the coverage start date in your approval letter. Visits before that date aren’t covered.
Do all dentists accept CDCP?
No. Dentists choose whether to bill the plan directly. Bells Corners Dental Studio accepts CDCP and bills Sun Life directly.
Does CDCP cover braces or Invisalign?
No. Orthodontic services aren’t currently available under CDCP.
Sources
- Government of Canada, Do you qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan
- Government of Canada, Apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan
- Government of Canada, Renew your Canadian Dental Care Plan coverage
- Government of Canada, What services are covered
Plan details come from Canada.ca and can change. We confirm your coverage before every treatment. This article is general information, not financial or dental advice.
