Feb 25, 2026
What You Need to Know About the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) Expansion in 2025–2026
Good news for Canadians without dental coverage: the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) continues to expand, extending access to millions more people and helping make dental care more affordable. Whether you’ve already enrolled or are thinking about applying, here’s a clear, up‑to‑date overview of what the CDCP expansion means for you and your family.
What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?
The CDCP is a federal dental coverage program designed to help Canadians pay for essential dental services if they don’t have private dental insurance. It aims to reduce financial barriers to dental care — especially for lower‑ and middle‑income families — and help people access preventive, restorative, and emergency services.
Coverage includes services like:
Dental exams & cleanings
X‑rays
Fillings and extractions
Root canals
Dentures
Oral surgery
(Specific services may require pre‑authorization and have limits; always check before treatment.)
📈 How the CDCP Has Expanded
The CDCP was introduced in stages, with broader access rolling out over time. Starting in 2025–2026, the plan expanded to include millions more eligible Canadians: families and individuals without workplace or private dental insurance and with income below a set threshold.
This expansion means that adults aged 18 to 64 without dental insurance are now able to apply — a major step beyond the original groups (like seniors, children, and people with disabilities).
As of late 2025, millions of Canadians are enrolled under the CDCP, and coverage has continued to grow.
💡 Who Qualifies for the CDCP?
To be eligible for CDCP dental coverage, you must:
Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes
NOT have any private dental insurance
Have filed a tax return for the previous year
Have an adjusted family net income under $90,000
Coverage is income‑based, so how much the CDCP pays depends on your family income.
💰 How CDCP Coverage Costs Work
The CDCP uses income‑based reimbursement, meaning the government pays a portion of your dental care costs based on your family income.
Under $70,000 — 100 % of approved CDCP fees
$70,000 – $79,999 — ~60 % covered
$80,000 – $89,999 — ~40 % covered
$90,000+ — Not eligible for CDCP
Keep in mind your dentist may charge more than the CDCP fee schedule for services, and you may be responsible for the difference (balance billing).
📅 Renewing Your CDCP Coverage
CDCP is not automatic — you must renew your coverage every year if you still meet the eligibility requirements. This typically involves filing your most recent tax return and submitting a renewal application before a deadline (often around June each year).
If you don’t renew on time, your coverage may lapse and treatments received during any gap won’t be covered.
🦷 Why This Expansion Matters
Expanding the CDCP is a major step toward reducing dental care costs for millions of Canadians who previously had to pay fully out‑of‑pocket. Whether you’re getting routine exams, emergency fillings, or more complex care like root canals or dentures, the CDCP can make treatment much more affordable.
That said, some Canadians who are eligible still haven’t accessed care, highlighting the importance of outreach and awareness about the program.
📝 Final Thoughts
The continued extension of the Canadian Dental Care Plan means more Canadians can now get the dental care they need without the stress of high costs. Whether you’ve been thinking about signing up or it’s time to renew your coverage, understanding how the CDCP works and how it’s expanding can help you make smarter choices about your oral health — and hopefully encourage you to book that overdue dentist visit!
