Who Qualifies for the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

A person qualifies for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) only if they meet all four requirements: they have no access to private dental insurance or coverage, filed a tax return for the previous year, have an adjusted family net income under $90,000, and are a Canadian resident for tax purposes. Meeting these conditions makes them eligible to apply for federal dental coverage through the CDCP.

The 4 CDCP Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), applicants must meet all four official eligibility requirements.

1. No Access to Private Dental Insurance

You generally cannot qualify for the CDCP if you have access to private dental coverage through your job, pension, a family member’s employer or pension, a professional or student organization, or a purchased dental insurance plan. This applies even if you have never used the coverage or chose to opt out.

• T4: Check Box 45. Code 1 means no access to dental coverage; codes 2–5 indicate access.
• T4A: Check Box 015 for the same coverage information.

2. You Filed a Tax Return

You must have filed your previous year’s Canadian tax return to qualify for the CDCP because the government uses your tax information to assess eligibility and family income. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, they must also have filed their previous year’s return. This tax filing requirement helps determine whether your household meets the program’s income and eligibility criteria.

3. Adjusted Family Net Income Under $90,000

Your adjusted family net income must be below $90,000 to meet the CDCP income requirement. The calculation starts with the amount reported on line 23600 of your tax return and includes specific adjustments, including certain child benefit and disability savings amounts. Your adjusted family net income also determines how much of your eligible dental care costs may be covered by the plan.

4. You Are a Canadian Resident

You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes when applying for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, they must also meet the applicable Canadian tax residency requirement. This is different from simply being a Canadian citizen; tax residency is determined under Canadian tax rules and is part of the official CDCP eligibility assessment.

Eligibility Requirements at a Glance 

What Is the Income Threshold for the Canada Dental Plan?

The CDCP uses your adjusted family net income to determine eligibility and the level of coverage you receive. Families earning under $70,000 may receive full coverage, while partial coverage applies to incomes from $70,000 to $89,999. Those with an adjusted family net income of $90,000 or more are not eligible.

Real-World Example: How Income Affects Eligibility

Imagine a single applicant earns $68,000 a year, has no workplace dental coverage, and meets the other CDCP requirements. They could qualify for 100% CDCP coverage based on their adjusted family net income. However, if their household income later rises above $90,000 for example, after marrying a partner with additional income they would no longer meet the income requirement. This shows why CDCP eligibility can change from year to year as family circumstances and adjusted income change.

Who Is NOT Eligible for the Canadian Dental Plan? 

People generally cannot qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) if they have access to private dental coverage, do not meet the income or tax-filing requirements, or are not Canadian residents for tax purposes. Certain pension coverage situations can also affect eligibility.

• Private dental coverage: You have access through work, a pension, a family member, or purchased insurance—even if you never use it, pay a premium, or chose not to enrol.
• Adjusted family net income of $90,000 or more: You exceed the CDCP income threshold.
• No previous-year tax return: You or your spouse/common-law partner, if applicable, did not file the required tax return.
• Not a Canadian tax resident: You do not meet the Canadian residency requirement.
• Opted out of pension dental coverage: You opted out after December 11, 2023, subject to limited exceptions.

What About Adults and Seniors? CDCP Coverage by Age Group 

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is now available to eligible people across age groups, including working-age adults and seniors. Unlike earlier phases that focused on children, youth, and older adults, eligibility is no longer limited by age. Adults and seniors follow the same four eligibility requirements as other applicants, with no separate CDCP application process specifically for seniors. 

How to Check Your CDCP Eligibility

• Confirm all requirements: Make sure you meet all four CDCP eligibility requirements, including income, tax filing, dental coverage, and Canadian tax residency.
• Check your tax slip: Look at Box 45 on your T4 or Box 015 on your T4A to confirm whether you have access to dental coverage.
• Calculate family income: Use your tax return to determine your adjusted family net income and check whether it falls below the CDCP threshold.
• Use the official tool: Check your eligibility through the Government of Canada’s official CDCP eligibility resources for the most current information.
• Ask your dental office: If your eligibility status is unclear, BSRV Dental Office can help you understand what your CDCP status means before your dental visit.

Does CDCP Cover 100% of Costs?

Yes, but only if your adjusted family net income is under $70,000. Applicants in higher income brackets receive partial CDCP coverage and are responsible for a co-payment. Even with 100% coverage, you may still have extra costs if your dentist’s fee is higher than the CDCP-established fee guide or if the service is not fully covered by the plan.

What If You Have Coverage Through a Provincial Program?

Having dental coverage through a provincial, territorial, or federal government social program does not automatically make you ineligible for the CDCP. In some cases, these programs can coordinate with the Canadian Dental Care Plan so benefits are not duplicated. This means qualifying for another government dental program does not necessarily cancel your CDCP eligibility, although coverage and coordination rules can vary by program.

Renewing Your CDCP Eligibility

Your Canadian Dental Care Plan eligibility must be reconfirmed each year. After filing your latest tax return, your income is reassessed, and you may need to confirm that you still do not have access to private dental insurance. Renewing promptly helps prevent a coverage gap and ensures you can continue receiving eligible dental benefits without an unexpected interruption.

Why Choose BSRV Dental Office for CDCP-Eligible Patients 

BSRV Dental Office helps Scarborough patients navigate CDCP dental care with clear information about eligibility, coverage, and potential costs before treatment.

• CDCP-Participating Provider: As a CDCP provider, BSRV Dental Office can provide eligible dental services under the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
• Clear Cost Guidance: Our team can help explain your CDCP eligibility, coverage, and expected co-payments before treatment begins.
• Experienced CDCP Team: We’re familiar with the CDCP process and can help make your dental visit easier to understand.
• Convenient Scarborough Location: Our dental office offers accessible care for patients looking for a local Scarborough provider participating in the CDCP.