Members of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) have until June 1 to renew their coverage by proving they still qualify for the program, otherwise they’ll need to submit a new application and will not be covered until they’re re-approved.
The federal dental insurance program, available to anyone who doesn’t already have coverage through an employer and whose net adjusted family income is under $90,000, started accepting applications for all eligible adults in May of last year after a phased rollout began in 2023.
To prove they fall under the income requirement, Canadians need to have submitted their 2025 tax return prior to the June 1 renewal deadline, otherwise existing members will see their coverage end.
“As a CDCP member, you must renew your coverage every year to confirm that you still meet the eligibility requirements,” the federal government says on its website.
“If you do not renew during the renewal period, your CDCP coverage will end on June 30, 2026. You can submit a new application after that period, but there will be a gap in your coverage until it is approved again.”
Any dental care received during that gap “will not be covered nor reimbursed retroactively,” the government said.
Here’s what you need to know about the renewal process:
Am I still eligible for coverage?
In order to renew CDCP coverage, you must still meet all four of the program’s requirements.
In addition to not having access to private insurance, falling under the household income threshold, and being a Canadian resident for tax purposes with a filed return for 2025, members must ensure their spouse or common-law partner also submitted a tax return for last year.
That way the government is able to assess the total family income of the household to determine eligibility.
“To be eligible for coverage under the CDCP, applicants must attest when they renew that they do not have access to dental insurance,” the government noted.
“If you provide false information on your application, you and your family may be removed from the plan. If you are found to be ineligible for the CDCP, you will be required to repay any amounts claimed for services provided to you under the plan.”
How to renew dental coverage
CDCP members can renew their coverage online using their My Service Canada Account (MSCA) or through Canada.ca “if you can’t use MSCA,” the government says.
Renewals can also be done by phone for those who can’t access either site, by calling Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342.
“You can ask someone you trust or a delegate to help you renew your coverage for the CDCP,” the government says. “You must be able to give clear consent, during the call, that you agree to let them help you.”
What do I need to renew coverage?
To renew coverage, members need to update or confirm their Social Insurance Number, CDCP member ID, home and mailing address, date of birth, and full name.
Members – as well as their spouse or common law partner, if applicable – must also have received their notice of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the previous tax year.
Throughout the renewal process, the government says Canadians should beware of scams.
“The CDCP will never ask you to pay to apply or renew your coverage,” the government says on its website.
“Be careful of scams sent by mail, phone calls, text messages, or emails that ask for your personal, banking or credit card information. Watch out for ads and pop-ups that take you to websites that are not government of Canada ones.”
