What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Introduced in 2024, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) aims to make dental care more accessible for eligible individuals and families.

Regular preventive dental care is essential for overall health, helping to reduce gum disease, tooth decay, and risks of serious conditions like stroke and cardiovascular disease.

In Canada, about one-third of the population lacks dental insurance, and financial barriers often prevent visits to the dentist. To address this, the government has launched a publicly funded dental benefit. However, the CDCP is not designed to provide free dental care for everyone or replace existing workplace or private benefits.

The program is being rolled out in phases: seniors became eligible in May 2024, with full access for all qualifying Canadians set for 2025.

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If you have dental coverage through a provincial, territorial, or federal government social program, you can still qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
Some Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) patients won’t receive full financial assistance with the cost of their care through CDCP due to co-payments.

Canadian residents who have access to dental benefits through a social program offered by their province or territory or by the federal government will be eligible for CDCP.

In addition, patients may be required to pay additional charges. These additional charges are to cover a portion of the cost of their care when the (CDCP) rate is lower.
 
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is not intended to replace existing insurance coverage. It is important that Canadians do not drop their existing coverage. They may not qualify.