Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) 2026–27: Who Qualifies, How to Apply and What You'll Pay
Updated: 1 day ago
Last updated: September 29, 2026 · Reviewed by Dr. Michael Bull DDS, Westwood & Starwood Dental, Guelph
Key takeaways Applications for the 2026–27 Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) are open now at Canada.ca, and applying is free. You may qualify if you have no private dental insurance, a family net income under $90,000, and you've filed your taxes. Care is not always free. Families earning $70,000–$89,999 pay a 40% or 60% co-pay. The CDCP covers exams, cleanings, fillings, root canals, dentures and more. Braces aren't covered.
Westwood and Starwood Dental in Guelph accept CDCP and review your costs before treatment.
What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program that helps pay for dental care for Canadians without private dental insurance and with a family income under $90,000. Health Canada and Service Canada run it, and Sun Life processes the claims.
More than 6.5 million Canadians are now enrolled. Still, a September 2026 national survey found that 59% of CDCP patients believed their care would be completely free (National Newswatch, Sept 24, 2026). This guide, from the team at Westwood Dental, a whole-body dental clinic in Guelph, clears up the confusion.
Who qualifies for the CDCP in 2026–27?
You qualify for the 2026–27 CDCP if you meet all four requirements. You have no access to private dental insurance, your adjusted family net income is under $90,000, you (and your spouse or partner) filed a Canadian tax return, and you're a Canadian resident for tax purposes (Government of Canada).
No private dental insurance. That includes coverage through work, a pension, a professional association or a plan you buy yourself.
Adjusted family net income under $90,000. This is line 23600 of your tax return, with small adjustments for UCCB and RDSP amounts.
Taxes filed, for you and your spouse or partner.
Canadian resident for tax purposes.
Good to know: Government programs such as Healthy Smiles Ontario don't disqualify you. The programs coordinate payment. Have questions about your options? See our patient resources or our dental FAQ.
How do I apply for the CDCP (or reapply if I missed my renewal)?
Apply online at Canada.ca, through your My Service Canada Account, or by phone at 1-833-537-4342. Applying is always free. If you missed the 2026–27 renewal deadline, you can still reapply, but you'll have a gap in coverage until you're approved.
Step 1. Check you qualify using the four requirements above.
Step 2. Apply online, by phone (1-833-537-4342 / TTY 1-833-677-6262) or by mail. Have Social Insurance Numbers, birth dates, your address and any government dental coverage details ready for everyone in your family.
Step 3. Watch for your welcome package. Sun Life mails your member card and coverage start date.
Step 4. Book your dental visit on or after your start date, and bring your card. New to our clinic? Here's what to expect at your first visit. Still looking for the right fit? Read our guide to choosing a family dentist in Guelph.
⚠️ Scam alert: The Government of Canada never charges a fee to apply or renew. Ignore texts or calls asking for payment or banking details.
What does the CDCP cover?
The CDCP covers most everyday and major dental care. That includes exams, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride, sealants, fillings, root canals, gum treatment, crowns, dentures, implants, oral surgery and sedation. Many major services need preauthorization, some have frequency limits, and orthodontics (braces and aligners) isn't currently covered (Government of Canada).
Category | Examples | Preauthorization? |
Preventive and diagnostic | Exams, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride, sealants | Usually no |
Basic | Fillings, root canals, gum (periodontal) treatment | Sometimes |
Major | Often | |
Comfort | Nitrous oxide, sedation | Sometimes |
Not covered | Braces, clear aligners (orthodontics) | — |
What is preauthorization? Your dentist submits a treatment plan to the CDCP and gets approval before doing the work. That way you know what's covered. Sun Life explains the process in How to use your dental plan.
Wondering if that sore back tooth needs attention? Read The Truth About Wisdom Tooth Pain: When to Worry, When to Wait before your visit.
Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan free?
Not always. Care is fully covered only if your adjusted family net income is under $70,000 and your dentist charges the CDCP rate. Families earning $70,000–$79,999 pay 40% of the CDCP rate, and families earning $80,000–$89,999 pay 60% (Government of Canada).
Example: A Guelph family with an adjusted net income of $75,000 books a service with a CDCP rate of $200. The CDCP pays $120 and the family pays $80. If the clinic's regular fee were $230, the family would also pay the $30 difference.
That difference (the gap between a clinic's fee and the CDCP rate) is why the front desk should always go over your costs before treatment. Have a question about your bill? Check our insurance and payment FAQ or contact our team.
CDCP vs. Healthy Smiles Ontario vs. private insurance: what's the difference?
CDCP | Healthy Smiles Ontario | Private/work insurance | |
Who it's for | All ages, no private plan, family income under $90K | Ontario kids 17 and under from low-income households | People with a workplace or purchased plan |
Cost to apply | Free | Free | Premiums or employer-paid |
Co-pay | 0%, 40% or 60% by income | Generally none for covered services | Depends on the plan |
Braces | Not covered | Not covered | Sometimes |
Can you combine them? | Yes, with HSO | Yes, with CDCP | Having private insurance disqualifies you from CDCP |
Why does using your dental coverage matter for your whole body?
Your mouth is connected to the rest of your body. Gum inflammation has been linked to heart disease and blood sugar control. Statistics Canada's latest oral health survey found that 83% of Canadians examined had bleeding gums in at least one area, and the share of adults with healthy gum pockets fell from 45% to 13% (Canadian Health Measures Survey, 2022–2024). A regular cleaning and gum check is one of the simplest ways to catch problems early.
Nutrition and medications play a role too. See our guide to supplements and your smile, and learn why some patients on GLP-1 medications notice "Ozempic mouth".
For children, a covered checkup is also a chance to spot early signs of mouth breathing, snoring or a tongue tie. These can affect sleep, focus and how the jaw develops. Some parents are surprised to learn about the link between tongue ties and ADHD-like symptoms. Learn more about our airway-focused, whole-body approach and orofacial myofunctional therapy.
Which dentists in Guelph accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
Westwood Dental (530 Willow Road) and Starwood Dental (235 Starwood Drive) both accept CDCP patients from Guelph and across Wellington County. We review your co-pay and any fee difference before treatment, and we handle preauthorization paperwork for you. Meet the Westwood team and the Starwood team.
Bring your CDCP member card to your first visit.
Know your costs up front. We explain what the CDCP pays and what you pay.
Paperwork handled. We submit preauthorizations when they're needed.
Direct billing to Sun Life, so you pay only your portion. (Confirm before publishing.)
Whole-family, whole-body care: checkups, gum care, restorative dentistry, and airway and tongue-tie screening for kids.
See real results in our smile gallery.
📞 Got your CDCP card? Book your checkup in Guelph today.
Westwood Dental: 530 Willow Road, Suite 2 · 519-836-4650
Starwood Dental: 235 Starwood Drive, Unit 4 · 519-766-1000
Related reading:
Frequently asked questions about the CDCP
Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan free?
Applying for the CDCP is always free. Care is free only if your adjusted family net income is under $70,000 and your dentist charges the CDCP rate. Families earning $70,000 to $89,999 pay a 40% or 60% co-pay, and anyone may pay the difference if a clinic's fee is higher than the CDCP rate.
Who qualifies for the Canadian Dental Care Plan in 2026–27?
You qualify if you have no access to private dental insurance, your adjusted family net income is under $90,000, you (and your spouse or partner) filed a Canadian tax return, and you are a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
What happens if I missed my CDCP renewal?
You can reapply for the 2026–27 benefit period on Canada.ca or by calling 1-833-537-4342, but you will have a gap in coverage until your new application is approved.
What does the CDCP cover?
The CDCP covers exams, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride and sealants; fillings, root canals and gum treatment; crowns, dentures, implants and oral surgery; and nitrous oxide or sedation. Many major services need preauthorization, and orthodontics is not currently covered. See our restorative dentistry and implant pages for details on these treatments.
Does the CDCP cover braces or Invisalign?
No. Orthodontic services, including braces and clear aligners, are not currently available under the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Ask us about Invisalign and expansion options outside the plan, or read why adults are choosing jaw expansion.
Can I have the CDCP and Healthy Smiles Ontario at the same time?
Yes. Coverage through a government program such as Healthy Smiles Ontario does not disqualify you from the CDCP. The two programs coordinate payment.
Which dentists in Guelph accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
Westwood Dental (530 Willow Road, 519-836-4650) and Starwood Dental (235 Starwood Drive, 519-766-1000) in Guelph both accept CDCP patients and review costs with you before treatment.
Sources
This article is general information, not personal financial or dental advice. Confirm your coverage with Service Canada or Sun Life.
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