Canada Dental Care Plan — Do You Qualify for Free Dental Care?
What you will learn: Whether you qualify for the Canada Dental Care Plan, what it covers, how to enrol online, and how to find a participating dentist near you.
The Canada Dental Care Plan launched in 2023 for Canadian seniors without dental insurance. If you qualify, the government pays for a significant portion — or all — of your dental care. Millions of eligible Canadians have not yet enrolled. This guide walks you through exactly who qualifies and how to sign up.
Harold, 71, from Kitchener, Ontario. Harold had not been to a dentist in six years. He was not avoiding it — he simply could not afford to go without dental insurance. His pension did not include dental benefits, and private dental insurance at his age cost more than he was willing to spend on something he rarely used.
His granddaughter mentioned the Canada Dental Care Plan over dinner. Harold had never heard of it. She helped him check his eligibility that same evening — he qualified. Within three weeks he had an appointment, and the government covered his entire visit.
"I had no idea this existed," Harold said. "I thought dental care was just something I had given up on."
Harold is not unusual. The programme launched in late 2023 and many eligible Canadians still do not know about it or have not enrolled.
Do You Qualify?
You are likely eligible for the Canada Dental Care Plan if you meet all four of these conditions:
Eligibility checklist:
Some Ontario residents receive dental benefits through Ontario Works, the Ontario Disability Support Programme (ODSP), or Healthy Smiles Ontario. Having these provincial benefits does not automatically disqualify you from the Canada Dental Care Plan — but the federal plan cannot be used at the same visit as provincial benefits. Contact Service Canada to confirm your situation: 1-833-537-4342.
What Is Covered
The Canada Dental Care Plan covers a broad range of dental services when performed by a participating dentist:
- Preventive care — teeth cleaning, X-rays, fluoride treatments
- Diagnostic services — dental examinations and assessments
- Restorative care — fillings, crowns (some types)
- Extractions — tooth removal when required
- Root canals — on eligible teeth
- Dentures — complete and partial dentures
- Periodontal care — treatment of gum disease
- Some orthodontic services — limited to functional, not cosmetic, needs
What is not covered: Cosmetic procedures (teeth whitening, veneers), services performed by dentists who are not enrolled in the plan, and services outside Canada.
How Much Will You Pay?
| Net family income | Your co-payment | Government pays |
|---|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | $0 — fully covered | 100% |
| $70,000 – $79,999 | 40% of procedure cost | 60% |
| $80,000 – $89,999 | 60% of procedure cost | 40% |
How to Enrol
Enrolment is free and takes about 15 minutes. You can enrol online, by phone, or in person.
Option A: Enrol Online Through My Service Canada Account
Enrolling online:
Option B: Enrol by Phone or In Person
Enrolment assistance
Service Canada — CDCP Enrolment — 1-833-537-4342 (Monday–Friday 8am–8pm ET)
To visit a Service Canada Centre for in-person help: canada.ca — Find a Service Canada Centre
If you need help navigating the enrolment process on your device, your local library or a free tax clinic volunteer may also be able to assist.
Finding a Participating Dentist
Not all dentists participate in the Canada Dental Care Plan. Before booking an appointment, confirm that your dentist is enrolled — or find one who is.
Finding a participating dentist near you:
You may be entitled to dental care you did not know existed.
If you have not seen a dentist in years because of cost, this programme may have changed that. Check your eligibility today — enrolment is free and takes 15 minutes.
Quick Answers
You likely qualify if you are 65 or older, have a net family income under $90,000, do not have private dental insurance, and have filed your most recent tax return. Call 1-833-537-4342 or visit your My Service Canada Account to confirm and enrol.
If you have any private dental insurance — through an employer, former employer's pension, or a plan you or your spouse purchased — you are not eligible. However, provincial dental assistance (Ontario Works, ODSP, Healthy Smiles Ontario) does not automatically disqualify you. Call Service Canada to confirm your specific situation.
Ask your dentist directly whether they have enrolled in the Canada Dental Care Plan — the official directory is not always fully up to date. If they have not enrolled, they can do so at any time through Health Canada's provider portal. If they decline, use the official directory at canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/dental-care/find-dentist to find a participating provider near you.
The Canada Dental Care Plan covers services on a per-benefit basis, not a flat annual maximum. Some services (like cleanings) can be accessed once or twice per year; others (like fillings or extractions) are covered when medically necessary. Your dentist will submit the claim to Sun Life and you will pay any applicable co-payment at the time of service.
Sun Life is the legitimate administrator of the Canada Dental Care Plan and will send you correspondence after you enrol. However, scammers have impersonated Sun Life and CDCP communications. Do not click links in unsolicited emails or texts. If you have any doubt, call the official CDCP line at 1-833-537-4342 or log in to your My Service Canada Account directly to check your enrolment status.