Canadian Dental Care Plan Now Open: How to Apply for Free Dental Coverage

Canadian Dental Care Plan Now Open: How to Apply for Free Dental Coverage

Key impact: If you are a Canadian resident without private dental insurance and your family net income is under $90,000, you can now apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) to get free or low-cost dental care. This means you could save hundreds of dollars on cleanings, fillings, and dentures starting as early as 2026.

What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

The CDCP is a new federal benefit that helps cover the cost of oral health care for eligible Canadians. It is designed to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for essential dental services. As of May 2025, all eligible Canadians can apply, and applications for the 2026-2027 benefit year are now open.

What does this mean for you?

If you qualify, the plan covers services like:

• Cleanings
• Fillings
• Root canals
• Dentures
• Extractions

Important: The plan does not reimburse for care received before May 2024. You must apply before you receive any covered services.

Who is affected?

You are affected if you meet all of these criteria:

• You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
• You have no employer, professional, or private dental insurance.
• Your adjusted family net income is below $90,000.
• You have filed your previous year's tax return.

Note: If you had coverage for the 2025-2026 benefit year and did not renew by June 1, 2026, you can re-apply but may face a gap in coverage.

How to apply

To apply, you will need:

• Your Social Insurance Number
• Your date of birth
• Your address

You can apply through:

• The Benefits Wayfinder website
• By calling Service Canada

Once approved, you will receive a welcome package from Sun Life Canada, which manages the plan. This package includes your member card and coverage start date.

What you should do

1. Check your eligibility: Confirm your family net income is under $90,000 and you have no private dental insurance.
2. File your taxes: Make sure you have filed your previous year's tax return.
3. Apply now: Visit the Benefits Wayfinder website or call Service Canada to submit your application.
4. Wait for your welcome package: Once approved, Sun Life Canada will mail your member card and coverage start date.
5. Find a participating provider: Before booking an appointment, confirm your oral health provider participates in the CDCP. Some services require preauthorization, which became available in November 2024.

Bottom line

The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a new federal benefit that helps low- and middle-income families access affordable dental care. If you qualify, apply now to reduce your out-of-pocket costs for cleanings, fillings, and more. Remember to confirm your provider participates in the plan before booking an appointment. This plan helps reduce financial barriers to dental care, improving overall health for eligible Canadians.