CDCP Eligibility: Who Qualifies & Income Criteria

Who Is Eligible For The CDCP, The Dental Plan Canada Offers?

To qualify for the dental plan Canada offers through the CDCP, you must:

• Be a Canadian resident
• Have filed a tax return for the previous year
• Not have access to private or public dental insurance
• Have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000

CDCP Income Limits And Coverage For The Federal Dental Plan Canada Offers

The Canadian Dental Care Plan offers sliding-scale coverage based on your income:

• Income under $70,000: 100% coverage of eligible services
• Income $70,000–$79,999: 60% coverage, 40% co-payment
• Income $80,000–$89,999: 40% coverage, 60% co-payment.

Anyone with income over $90,000 is not eligible for the CDCP.

Keep in mind: dental offices may charge more than the CDCP fee guide. If they do, you’ll be responsible for the extra cost, even if you qualify for full or partial coverage.

CDCP Eligibility: Why Income Matters

Dental coverage in Canada hasn’t always been within reach for low-income adults, newcomers, or seniors on fixed pensions. The CDCP aims to bridge that gap by offering support to people who fall outside traditional employment-based plans. This income-based approach is what makes the CDCP one of the most accessible dental plans in Canada to date.

That’s why this dental plan Canada has introduced aims to reduce disparities and ensure more people can afford basic care—regardless of job status or age.

Dental Plan Canada Co-Payments Explained

If you are in the 40% or 60% coverage brackets detailed above, you will be responsible for a co-payment. Here is how it works:

• A $200 treatment with 60% coverage means CDCP pays $120; you pay $80.
• If the dentist charges $250 instead of $200, you’ll pay the extra $50 out of pocket in addition to your co-payment.

There are no premiums or deductibles—just the co-pay, when applicable.

Why Filing Taxes Matters For CDCP Eligibility

Your income is verified through your tax return. If you haven’t filed your taxes for the previous year, you won’t be eligible for this public dental plan Canada offers—even if your income is low enough to qualify.

Income is reviewed annually. That means it’s important to file on time each year so your eligibility and coverage can be updated.

Dental Plan Canada: Examples On How CDCP Applies According To Income

Consider Jasmine, a single parent with two children and a $68,000 income. She has no workplace coverage and qualifies for 100% CDCP dental coverage in Canada.

Now imagine Jasmine marries Peter, who earns $70,000 annually. Their combined adjusted family net income would rise to $138,000—well above the CDCP eligibility threshold. As a result, neither of them would qualify for coverage under the dental plan Canada currently offers through the CDCP.

By contrast, her brother Malik earns $78,000. He qualifies for partial coverage and pays 40% co-payments on eligible services.

Income Based Dental Plan Canada Coverage Table

Adjusted Family Net Income	CDCP Coverage	Co-Payment
Under $70,000	100%	$0
$70,000–$79,999	60%	40%
$80,000–$89,999	40%	60%
$90,000+	Not eligible	N/A

How To Handle Income Changes Regarding CDCP Eligibility

If your income changes year to year, your eligibility for this federal dental plan may also change. Someone earning $69,000 in 2023 may get full coverage for 2024—but if their income jumps to $91,000 the next year, they won’t qualify in 2025. Always check your income status and reapply as needed.

What To Do If You Are Over The Income Limit For The Dental Plan Canada Offers?

You won’t qualify for CDCP benefits if your income is over $90,000—but you still have options:

• Ask your dentist about flexible payment plans
• See if your province offers a dental assistance program
• Look into private or workplace dental insurance
• Save ahead for routine care
• Explore 123Dentist financing options for dental care.

Alternative Dental Coverage In Canada

If you’re over the CDCP eligibility limit, some provinces offer their own public dental plans. For example:

• Ontario: Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP, for low-income seniors) and  Healthy Smiles Ontario (for children 17 and under from low-income households).  
• British Columbia: Ministry programs offer limited dental support for people on assistance
• Alberta: Dental benefits are available through Alberta Adult Health Benefit, Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors (DOAS), Alberta Child Health Benefit (ACHB).
• Quebec: Offers public dental coverage under RAMQ (Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec) for children under 10 and those on social assistance.
• Nova Scotia: the Children’s Oral Health Program now covers basic care for children aged 14 and younger. 
• PEI, and Newfoundland: PEI & Newfoundland: Provincial Dental Care Program in PEI and Adult Dental Program in Newfoundland,-are two long-term co-existing dental benefit. Both programs provide expanded routine and emergency care for low-income adults.

These vary by province, so check your eligibility at the local level.

If You Receive Dental Coverage Through One Of Provincial Social Program Are Still Qualify For The CDCP?

Yes, you are eligible for CDCP while receiving provincial coverage. The coordination between coverage of different levels in Canada works as integration rather than duplication. The federal CDCP usually acts as the primary payer to cover core dental costs, and provincial programs act as a secondary safety net to cover remaining out-of-pocket payments when occurred.

Program Type	Target Audience	2026 Status
Federal (CDCP)	Low/Mid Income ($0–$90k)	Fully expanded to all ages
Provincial Programs	Social Assistance / Low Income	Active, and coordinated with CDCP
Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)	First Nations People & Inuit	Remains separate from CDCP

Future Access To Dental Plans In Canada

While the CDCP is a major step forward, there are discussions about expanding dental support nationally. In time, we may see more inclusive dental coverage in Canada—whether through the CDCP or provincial initiatives. This could include raising income thresholds or offering partial support for middle-income families.

As access evolves, the goal is to make the dental plan Canada offers even more responsive to real-world needs—including inflation and demographic changes.

Is The CDCP Similar To Other Dental Plans In Canada?

Some government employees in Canada receive dental coverage as part of their benefits. While the CDCP shares the goal of accessible care, it is different:

• CDCP is needs-based, while government employee plans are employment-based
• CDCP uses a national fee guide; workplace plans may offer more coverage
• CDCP doesn’t require monthly premiums or deductibles.

Does The CDCP Eligibility Account For Inflation?

Currently, CDCP income thresholds are fixed, and there’s no confirmed plan to index them for inflation. However, ongoing program reviews could lead to changes in the future to ensure more Canadians maintain access as costs rise.

Next Steps On Your Dental Plan Canada Journey

• Confirm your annual renewal window (if eligible): Re-verify your eligibility right after tax season. The official CDCP renewal window opens on April 15 and closes on June 1 each year, if nothing additionally mentioned on CDCP official website.
• Opt out if your insurance status changes: If you get a new job and sign up for any private dental insurance plan, you must notify Service Canada right away to opt out of the CDCP.
• Learn your yearly frequency limits: Keep track of how often you use your benefits, and mind the limits on how many times per year you can get cleanings, exams, or specific treatments.
• Always check coverage with your dentist before treatment: Confirm with your dentist’s office before your appointment to verify what the CDCP covers, and what co-payment or out-of-pocket costs may occur.

Check if you qualify for CDCP this year.