Canadian Dental Care Plan
Background information
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) provides dental coverage to Canadians who meet specific eligibility criteria. Here are key updates as of May 1, 2025.
Who qualifies for the plan?
The CDCP is a program for Canadian families who meet the following criteria:
- Have an adjusted household net annual income of less than $90,000. Those with an adjusted household net annual income of less than $70,000 will not have copayments.
- Have filed the prior year’s income tax return.
- Do not have access to dental coverage through their employer or a privately purchased benefits plan.
- Any level of dental coverage offered by an employer, including health spending accounts, is considered access to dental coverage, even if the employee opts out of dental coverage.
In 2024, Health Canada rolled out the CDCP for eligible individuals ages 65 and over, adults with valid disability tax credit and those under 18.
They have announced the final phase of rollouts of the CDCP which includes those eligible individuals ages 18 to 64.
How does this impact you as an employer?
As coverage becomes available in this new phase of the CDCP, you may be wondering how your current dental coverage compares. We’ve complied some key considerations and differences below.
Key differences between the CDCP and group plans
Not everyone qualifies for CDCP – eligibility is based not only on your employee’s income but considers the income of the entire family.
Group plans usually offer more comprehensive coverage than what is included in the CDCP.
Coverage that makes a difference
Here’s more details about how your dental coverage compares with the new CDCP:
Eligibility: Families with an adjusted household net annual income of less than $90,000 may receive coverage under the CDCP. However, the amount of coverage depends on the service and CDCP fee limits and individuals may still have to pay for additional costs out of pocket, even if they qualify for 100% coverage. A group plan offers a more reliable alternative by providing all your employees with consistent, comprehensive benefits that meet their health needs.
Less access to covered services on CDCP: Your group plan allows for a wider selection of dental services compared to the CDCP. This means your employees can get the care they need.
- Many services like periodontal and orthodontics are limited or excluded under the CDCP.
- The CDCP plan has limited coverage for scaling and polishing compared to group plans. For example, scaling is covered for ½ unit (7.5 minutes) per year for children under 12, and 1 unit (15 minutes) for those aged 12 to 17. Polishing is limited to ½ unit (7.5 minutes) annually.
Potential for additional out of pocket costs with CDCP: The CDCP uses its own dental fee guide, with lower fees than provincial guides. For a typical dental recall exam, CDCP covers between 17% to 43% less than the provincial fee guide – the range is a result of CDCP coverage for select services being different based on age.
More peace of mind with group dental coverage: By offering an extensive benefits package, you reduce financial barriers and ensure that your employees can prioritize their health without delay.
Key benefits of your current plan
No income restrictions: Unlike the CDCP, where eligibility is based on family income, your coverage is available to all employees, ensuring that everyone has access to necessary dental care without financial stress.
Ongoing coverage: Your current plan remains available for all employees, ensuring continual access to reliable or ongoing dental care.
Support for all needs: Employees who are on your plan benefit from a more personalized level of coverage tailored to their specific needs, without disrupting access to essential dental care.
Why stay the course?
Avoid coverage gaps: Lapses in CDCP coverage could leave vulnerable employees without support. Continuing your current coverage guarantees that your team remains protected.
Improved employee satisfaction: Offering competitive and accessible dental benefits fosters loyalty and job satisfaction among your employees.
Provincial participation: The Government of Alberta intends to opt out of the CDCP by 2026.
Health Spending Accounts count as dental coverage: If you offer a Health Spending Account, that counts as having access to dental coverage and your employees would not qualify for the CDCP.
Questions?
If you have any questions about your current coverage or how it compares to the CDCP, reach out to your group sales representative. If your employees have questions, they can call us at 1-800-661-6995.