Renewing Your Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP): A Newcomer’s Guide for 2026

Current members of the CDCP are eligible for renewal until June 1, 2026, and it only takes a few minutes! This is the newcomer’s guide to renewing your CDCP coverage for 2026. 

Many immigrants in Canada benefit from the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which helps to pay a portion of the cost for a wide range of dental and oral health services. Not everyone is eligible, but if you are, the CDCP can help make dental care more affordable for you and your family. 

Here’s everything you need to know about renewing your CDCP benefits. 

What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)? 

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program in Canada that helps eligible individuals pay a portion of the cost of a wide range of dental and oral health services. If eligible, the CDCP helps pay for services including dental exams, cleanings, x-rays, cavity treatments, root canals, dentures, and more! 

Depending on your income bracket and the cost of the service, the CDCP may only cover part of the cost. It’s important to check with your provider ahead of time to understand what’s not covered by CDCP. 

Who is Eligible for the CDCP? 

To qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), you must meet all of the following requirements: 

• You do not have access to dental insurance 

• Your adjusted family net income is below $90,000 per year 

• You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes 

• You have filed your tax return in Canada for the previous year 

One important detail for newcomers: “access to dental insurance” includes more than just having an active private or individual dental plan – sometimes it can include just being eligible for a plan, even if you choose not to sign up. If you’re eligible for dental coverage through your employer, your spouse’s employer, a professional association, or even certain pension programs, you may not qualify for the CDCP. This may be the case even if you choose not to enroll in that insurance plan. 

The amount covered by the CDCP also depends on your income. Families earning less than CAD $70,000 receive the highest level of coverage, while those earning between $70,000 and $89,999 may still have co-payments for certain services. 

You can review the official CDCP eligibility requirements here. 

What does “resident for tax purposes” mean? 

Being a resident of Canada for tax purposes is different from your immigration status. You may be a citizen, permanent resident, work permit holder, or study permit holder and still need to determine your tax residency based on your situation.  

Generally, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) looks at whether you have significant residential ties to Canada, such as a home, spouse or common-law partner, dependants, bank accounts, or other personal ties. For newcomers, one of the most important factors CRA will consider is whether you’re in Canada for more than 183 days per year. If you’re living in Canada and building your life here, there’s a good chance you may be considered a resident for tax purposes, but it depends on your specific circumstances. 

How Much is Covered by the CDCP? 

The amount covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) depends on your annual family net income. Families earning less than $70,000 per year may have 100 percent of eligible oral health care costs covered at CDCP rates. Families earning between $70,000 and $79,999 may have 60 percent covered, while families earning between $80,000 and $89,999 may have 40 percent covered. This means that some applicants may still need to pay a co-payment directly to their dental provider. 

It’s also important to understand that dentists may charge more than the fees covered by the CDCP. You may need to pay additional out-of-pocket costs if your provider charges above CDCP reimbursement rates or if you receive services that are not covered by the program. Before receiving treatment, it’s always a good idea to confirm any potential costs directly with your dental provider. 

What if I’m Not Eligible for the CDCP? 

If you’re not eligible for the CDCP, we recommend ensuring that you have other dental coverage. If you don’t have any dental coverage, you could be on the hook for a lot of money if you have an unexpected dental issue.  

Some people in Canada receive dental coverage through their employer benefits, while others choose to purchase private health insurance that includes dental coverage. If you’re interested in exploring your options for private health insurance, consider getting a quote from our recommended insurance partner, Cigna Healthcare. Cigna offers flexible plans tailored to different budgets and needs. 

How Do I Renew My CDCP Coverage for 2026? 

To renew your Canadian Dental Care Plan coverage for 2026, you must apply for renewal before June 1, 2026. The process is simple: sign in to your My Service Canada Account and respond to a few questions. The renewal takes just a couple of minutes. After this, your CDCP eligibility will be reviewed by CDCP and you will be notified if there are any issues or changes to your coverage. 

In order to renew your CDCP coverage, you must continue to meet the eligibility requirements for the program. If your eligibility has changed – for example, if your family income is above $90,000 – then you are no longer eligible for the CDCP.  

Notably, the CDCP will use your most recent tax information to verify your eligibility. This means that prior to applying for renewal, you must have already filed your 2025 income tax for Canada. This means that newcomers who arrive in the current year won’t be eligible until filing their taxes the following year. Using your income tax, CDCP can determine your income and your existing access to dental insurance, so it’s important to be honest about your situation when you apply for renewal. 

What if I Miss the CDCP Renewal Deadline for 2026? 

If you miss the CDCP renewal deadline of June 1, 2026, then your current coverage will end as of June 30, 2026. But – all hope is not lost! – if you miss the renewal deadline you can simply submit a new application for CDCP coverage. New applications for CDCP coverage will be accepted as of June 2, 2026.  

There may be a gap in your coverage if you’re not approved for new CDCP coverage before your old coverage expires. For this reason, we recommend trying to apply for renewal before June 1.  

What is Covered by the CDCP? 

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) covers a wide range of dental and oral health services intended to help Canadians maintain good oral health and access essential dental care. 

Covered services may include: 

• Dental exams and cleanings 

• Oral x-rays 

• Fillings and cavity treatment 

• Root canals 

• Gum disease treatment 

• Tooth extractions 

• Dentures 

• Certain oral surgeries 

But – not every procedure is automatically covered. Some services require preauthorization before treatment begins, meaning that your dentist must get approval from the CDCP before performing the service. 

It’s also important to understand that the CDCP does not necessarily pay 100 percent of the cost. Depending on your family income and the fees charged by your dentist, you may still need to pay part of the bill yourself. Some dentists may also charge above the CDCP reimbursement rates, leaving you responsible for the difference. 

Before receiving treatment, it’s always a good idea to ask your dental provider whether they accept the CDCP, whether the service is covered, and whether there will be any additional out-of-pocket costs for you. 

You can review the full list of covered services on the Government of Canada website here.