Canadian Dental Care Plan: eligibility and co-payments
The Canadian Dental Care Plan uses adjusted family net income for eligibility and co-payments, with coverage based on the plan's established fees.
On this page
- Income eligibility
- Adjusted family net income below $90,000.Health Canada, CDCP eligibility
- Below $70,000
- 0% co-payment on established CDCP fees.Health Canada, CDCP co-payments
- $70,000 to $79,999
- 40% co-payment on established CDCP fees.Health Canada, CDCP co-payments
- $80,000 to $89,999
- 60% co-payment on established CDCP fees.Health Canada, CDCP co-payments
Income is one eligibility condition
Eligibility requires no access to private dental insurance or coverage, filed Canadian tax returns, adjusted family net income below $90,000 and Canadian tax residency. The tax-return and residency conditions also apply to a spouse or common-law partner where applicable. Coverage through a government social program can still be compatible with eligibility. Health Canada, CDCP eligibility (opens in a new tab).
The co-payment bands
At adjusted family net income below $70,000, the co-payment is 0% of established CDCP fees. For $70,000 to $79,999 it is 40%, and for $80,000 to $89,999 it is 60%. These percentages apply to the plan's established fees for eligible services. Health Canada, CDCP co-payments (opens in a new tab).
A co-payment is not the whole possible bill
Additional charges can arise where a provider charges more than the CDCP reimburses or where services are not covered. A zero co-payment therefore does not rule out additional charges. Some services require preauthorization, and not every request is approved. Health Canada, CDCP coverage and charges (opens in a new tab).
Scope of this explanation
This is general information about Canada, not personal tax or financial advice. This page does not decide eligibility, authorize treatment or estimate a dental bill. It does not reproduce the full dental benefits guide or service limits. The government does not endorse this website.