As of May 1, the first phase of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has been officially launched, starting with coverage for seniors aged 70 and older, and those aged 65 and above who meet the criteria. The plan, aimed at making dental care more accessible and affordable, marks a significant milestone in Canadian healthcare.
Eligibility Criteria: To access the dental care program, individuals must:
Be Canadian residents
Not have access to any dental insurance
Have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000
Have filed their 2023 tax return
Application Process: Applications are now available for eligible seniors 65 and older. Starting in June, children under 18 and people with a valid disability tax credit certificate can apply. All remaining eligible Canadian residents between 18 and 64 can apply online starting in 2025.
To apply, individuals will need:
Social Insurance Number
Date of birth
Full name
Home and mailing address
List of any existing dental coverage through government social programs (if applicable)
Where to Apply: Eligible residents can apply online, over the phone, or in person at a Service Canada office.
Participating Dentists: More than 6,500 oral health providers have enrolled to participate in the CDCP, ready to provide services to patients. Individuals can use Sun Life’s CDCP Provider Search tool to locate a dental provider in their community. Claims will only be processed from participating providers before July 8, and individuals paying the full costs themselves will not be reimbursed.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan aims to provide coverage for up to nine million people, making it the largest benefit program in Canada’s history. With significant uptake since its launch, the program marks a crucial step forward in improving oral health access across the country.
