Canadian Dental Care Plan 2026–2027 Applications Are Open: Eligibility, Tax Rules, and Costs

• Applications for the Canadian Dental Care Plan’s 2026–2027 benefit period are open, covering July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
• You generally need Canadian tax residency, a filed tax return, adjusted family net income below $90,000, and no access to private dental coverage.
• The plan may not cover the full amount charged by a dental provider, so confirm co-payments and additional fees before treatment.

Canadian Dental Care Plan 2026–2027 applications are open

The Government of Canada is accepting applications for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) 2026–2027 benefit period. This coverage year runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The CDCP helps pay for eligible oral health services for Canadian residents who meet the program’s income, tax-filing, residency, and insurance-access rules. It is not automatic, and having dental expenses by itself doesn’t make someone eligible.

If you had CDCP coverage for 2025–2026 but missed the renewal deadline, you can re-apply. The government warns that re-applying after the renewal period can create a gap in coverage.

Who can qualify for the CDCP?

You must meet all four core requirements before applying:

1. No access to private dental insurance or coverage.
2. You and your spouse or common-law partner filed Canadian tax returns for the previous year.
3. Your adjusted family net income is less than $90,000.
4. You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes.

These rules apply to your spouse or common-law partner as well when their income or insurance access is relevant to the household assessment.

What counts as private dental coverage?

Access to coverage can come through your employer, a pension plan, a spouse’s or family member’s plan, a professional or student organization, a health spending account, or private insurance purchased by you or someone in your family.

You generally aren’t eligible simply because you declined to enrol, never used the plan, pay a premium, or find that the coverage doesn’t pay the full cost of treatment. The key issue is whether coverage was available to you.

There is a limited exception for retired people who opted out of pension dental coverage before December 11, 2023, and cannot opt back in.

How the income test works

The CDCP uses adjusted family net income rather than just one person’s salary. The calculation starts with family net income from line 23600 of the applicable tax returns, subtracts certain universal child care benefit and registered disability savings plan income, and adds back related amounts that were repaid.

For the 2026–2027 application, make sure the required Canadian tax returns have been filed so the government can assess the previous year’s family income.

Check your T4 or T4A coverage code before applying

One of the easiest mistakes is overlooking dental coverage reported through a spouse’s employer or pension plan. Before attesting that your household has no access to private dental coverage, check both your own tax slips and your spouse’s or common-law partner’s slips.

For employees, dental coverage information appears in box 45 of the T4. For pension recipients, it may appear in box 015 of the T4A.

A code showing that coverage was offered doesn’t always mean the tax slip is correct. If you believe the code is wrong, contact the employer or pension plan administrator and ask for the information to be corrected or documented before applying.

What the CDCP may pay—and what you may still owe

The CDCP pays providers directly for eligible services. Members generally shouldn’t have to pay the entire dental bill upfront, but the plan does not necessarily cover every dollar charged by a provider.

Your income tier affects the co-payment applied to the CDCP’s established fees:

These percentages apply to eligible services at the CDCP’s established fees—not necessarily the amount listed on a dental office’s regular fee schedule.

Why you may receive an extra bill

You may have to pay more than the income-based co-payment when:

• the provider charges more than the CDCP established fee;
• the service is not covered by the plan;
• the treatment requires preauthorization and approval has not been obtained; or
• you and the provider agree to treatment that falls outside CDCP coverage.

Before accepting treatment, ask the dental office for an estimate of your total share. A simple question—“What will I owe after the CDCP pays?”—can prevent an unexpected bill.

What to prepare before you apply

Have the following information available for yourself, each dependant, and your spouse or common-law partner when applicable:

• Social Insurance Number, if available for a child;
• date of birth;
• full legal name;
• home and mailing address; and
• details of dental coverage through government social programs, if applicable.

Your spouse or common-law partner must submit a separate application to receive CDCP coverage. Listing them on your application helps confirm marital status, calculate adjusted family net income, and assess access to private dental coverage; it does not apply for coverage on their behalf.

How to apply for the 2026–2027 benefit period

The fastest online route is through My Service Canada Account (MSCA). After signing in or creating an account, open the Canadian Dental Care Plan section on the dashboard, select the application option, and follow the instructions.

If you can’t use MSCA, the Government of Canada also provides a separate online CDCP application service. You can choose digital communications to receive notifications by email and access letters through MSCA.

People who cannot apply online can call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342. The TTY number is 1-833-677-6262.

What happens after you submit the application?

Service Canada reviews the information against the program requirements. You may receive a letter if your application or coverage is selected for an eligibility review, particularly if the information you provided does not match details reported on a T4 or T4A slip.

If you’re asked to prove that you don’t have access to private dental coverage, read the letter carefully and follow its deadline. The government says supporting documents generally must be received within 45 days of the date on the notice.

If an employer or pension plan reported coverage incorrectly, ask the plan administrator for documentation or a correction. If you actually have access to private dental coverage, contact Service Canada rather than continuing to use the CDCP.

Common CDCP mistakes to avoid

• Assuming a dental bill makes you eligible: eligibility depends on the program rules, not simply on needing treatment.
• Ignoring a spouse’s coverage: your household can be disqualified by coverage available through a spouse or common-law partner.
• Reading “100% covered” as a guarantee of a free appointment: the percentage applies to eligible services at CDCP fees, and the provider may charge more.
• Paying someone to apply: there is no fee to apply or renew CDCP coverage.
• Using links from unexpected texts or emails: use official Government of Canada pages and be cautious with requests for banking or credit card information.

Start by confirming your tax filing, income range, and private-insurance access. Then apply through the official CDCP service and ask your dental provider for a written estimate of any co-payment or additional charge before treatment.

Helpful Links

• Canadian Dental Care Plan – Official program hub with eligibility, coverage, application status, renewal, and scam information.
• Canadian Dental Care Plan eligibility requirements – Check the income, tax filing, residency, and private dental coverage rules.
• Canadian Dental Care Plan application instructions – Review required information and online, phone, and assisted application options.
• Canadian Dental Care Plan coverage and co-payments – Review covered services, income-based co-payments, and possible additional charges.
• Canadian Dental Care Plan member eligibility review – Learn how T4 and T4A information may be checked and what documents may be requested.
• My Service Canada Account (MSCA) – Official page referenced in the article.
• Apply – Canadian Dental Care Plan – Official page referenced in the article.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are Canadian Dental Care Plan applications for 2026–2027 open?

A. Yes. Applications for the 2026–2027 benefit period are open. That benefit year covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Q. Can I qualify for the CDCP if I have provincial or territorial dental benefits?

A. Possibly. Government dental coverage through a provincial, territorial, or federal social program does not automatically disqualify you. The programs may coordinate coverage if you meet the CDCP’s other requirements.

Q. Does code 2, 3, 4, or 5 on a T4 or T4A automatically mean I cannot apply?

A. Those codes indicate that an employer or pension plan reported some dental coverage was offered. If the code is incorrect, contact the employer or pension administrator and obtain corrected information or supporting documentation before applying.

Q. Will the CDCP pay the entire amount my dentist charges?

A. Not necessarily. The plan pays according to its established fees and your income-based co-payment. You may also owe the difference between the provider’s charge and the CDCP fee, plus the cost of services the plan does not cover.