Orthodontic care and braces are not currently covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) but some orthodontic care will be covered in 2025. The criteria for orthodontic coverage is strict so everyone won’t be able to get it.
The CDCP Roll Out
The CDCP became available to senior citizens in May 2023. Other phases allow disabled persons and children to be covered. The final roll out making it available to all eligible Canadian residents will be in May 2025.
The government dental plan provides for basic dental services. This includes routine services like cleanings, exams, and X-rays. It also includes other common treatments like fillings and extractions along with some major dental services. That helps those who otherwise couldn’t afford treatment, preventing dental issues from occurring or worsening. That is the basic purpose of the CDCP.
Since the plan only covers basic dentistry, it doesn’t include orthodontics. Canada has no open government programs that include orthodontics.
Changes in 2025
The good news is the CDCP will cover some orthodontic services later this year. The cases covered are those associated with a medical need. A strict spending limit will be in place also. The criteria for orthodontic services is expected to be strict and will be listed in the CDCP Dental Benefits Guide after all criteria are determined.
Understanding What Is Covered by the CDCP
While many dental services are covered under the CDCP, they may not all be fully covered. Co-payments are based on a sliding scale determined by your income. Those eligible for the CDCP must have an adjusted net household income of less than $90,000.
Those earning less than $70,000 per household will have 100% eligible oral health care covered by the CDCP while those falling between $70,000 and $79,000 will have 60% of dental costs covered by the CDCP. Those with adjusted net household incomes between $80,000 and $89,000 will have 40% covered.
Additionally, anyone may be required to pay additional fees to your oral health care provider if the cost of care is higher than CDCP reimbursement or if services aren’t covered by the CDCP. In the latter case, you must agree to pay for non-covered services in advance of care.
Oral Health Care Providers Included
It is important to note when applying for the CDCP that all oral health care providers don’t accept the program. Dental practices and clinics are mandated to accept the CDCP so you will need to check with your provider up front to see if the CDCP is accepted.
Another important aspect of the CDCP to know is that dentists and their staff don’t have access to anyone’s coverage details before providing care under the government plan. Privacy laws don’t allow the government to share personal plan information with the dental office before a claim is made. Dental offices can’t speak to the CDCP on your behalf or get any information directly from the plan.
That means patients need to understand their CDCP coverage and how much they are expected to pay before the clinic visit.
No Immediate Coverage
While many dental insurance plans offer immediate coverage upon applying, the CDCP does not. Once you apply, you must monitor your status to know if and when you are accepted. Ensure you are accepted before scheduling dental treatments.
Applying for the CDCP
Applying for the CDCP is easy when you go online here.
Check to ensure you meet the four basic criteria before applying. There is that you are a permanent Canadian resident, that you filed taxes for the previous year, that your adjusted net household income is less than $70,000 and that you don’t have access to private dental insurance either through an employer, a spouse’s employer, or an organization.
Those who haven’t filed their 2024 taxes or filed an extension can use 2023 tax filings.
Those who don’t have computer access can apply by phone. The CDCP contact centre can be reached at 1-833-537-4342 or TTY 1-833-677-6262.
Use one application for all family members, including multiple children. Check your status regularly once you apply. The easiest way to do that is to register for a My Service Canada Account (MSCA). You can use the account to get communications from Service Canada, updates about your CDCP application, and renew your application yearly once you are accepted.
You can register for a My Service Canada Account here.
You can also check the status of your application using this online tool or by calling the phone number.
Regardless of the method you use, you will need your application code or client number and your SIN to check the status.
When to Apply
Those who don’t already have access to the CDCP will have plan availability in May 2025. Senior citizens over age 65, children under 18, and disabled persons are currently being accepted into the program so they can apply now.
The CDCP is an effort to lessen the cost of quality dental care for low-income families. Check to see if you are eligible today!
