OAS Guides

Eligibility checks

Do I qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

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The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) pays all or part of the cost of many dental services for people with no dental insurance. Whether you qualify depends on your insurance, your tax return and your family income. This check takes a few minutes.

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Do you have access to private dental insurance?

This means any dental plan you could use: through a job, a pension plan, a family member's plan, a professional or student group, or a plan you buy yourself. Government dental programs do not count.

Did you opt out of your pension plan's dental coverage before December 11, 2023, and you cannot opt back in?

If you opted out before that date and cannot get the coverage back, you may still qualify.

Did you file your Canadian tax return for 2025?

You must file a tax return for the previous year, even with little or no income. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, they must file too.

Do you live in Canada?

You must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes.

Is your adjusted family net income under $90,000?

For most retirees, this is the net income on line 23600 of your tax return, plus your spouse's or partner's line 23600 if you have one. $90,000 is the limit for the 2026-2027 benefit period.

Which of these is your adjusted family net income?

Your income decides your share of the cost, called a co-pay.

Likely not eligible

You likely cannot get the CDCP while you have dental insurance.

Why

The Canadian Dental Care Plan is only for people who have no access to private dental insurance. This includes a plan through a job, a pension, a family member or a group, and a plan you buy yourself.

What to do next

  1. If your dental insurance ends, for example when you retire, run this check again.
  2. If your pension offers dental coverage, check box 015 on your T4A slip. A code from 2 to 5 means coverage was available to you.
  3. Dental costs you pay yourself may count toward the medical expense tax credit.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Your dental insurance decides this.

Why

You cannot get the Canadian Dental Care Plan if you have access to private dental insurance. The one exception is for retirees who opted out of their pension plan's dental coverage before December 11, 2023, and cannot opt back in.

What to do next

  1. Look at box 015 on your T4A slip from your pension. A code from 2 to 5 means your pension offered dental coverage.
  2. Ask your pension plan or former employer whether you have dental coverage, or could still join it.
  3. Call Service Canada's CDCP line at 1-833-537-4342 if you are still not sure.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

Not yet. File your tax return first.

Why

You, and your spouse or common-law partner if you have one, must file a tax return for the previous year. Without it, your application cannot be assessed, even if you have little or no income.

What to do next

  1. File your 2025 tax return. If you have a spouse or partner, they must file too.
  2. Wait for your Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency.
  3. Then run this check again and apply.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Check that both tax returns are filed.

Why

You, and your spouse or common-law partner if you have one, must have filed a tax return for the previous year. If either return is missing, your application cannot be assessed.

What to do next

  1. Look for your 2025 Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency. If you have one, your return was filed.
  2. Ask your spouse or partner to check for theirs too.
  3. If a return is missing, file it, wait for the Notice of Assessment, then apply.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

You likely cannot get the CDCP while you live outside Canada.

Why

The Canadian Dental Care Plan is for residents of Canada for tax purposes.

What to do next

  1. If you move back to Canada, run this check again.
  2. If you are not sure about your residence for tax purposes, call Service Canada's CDCP line from outside Canada at 1-613-221-3227.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

Your income is likely too high for the CDCP.

Why

For the 2026-2027 benefit period, your adjusted family net income must be under $90,000. Your answer shows income at or above that limit.

What to do next

  1. Check the amount: for most retirees it is line 23600 of your tax return, plus your spouse's or partner's line 23600.
  2. If your income drops, run this check again before the next benefit period.
  3. Some provinces have their own seniors dental programs, such as Ontario's Seniors Dental Care Program and Alberta's Dental Assistance for Seniors. Ask your province or territory.
  4. Dental costs you pay yourself may count toward the medical expense tax credit.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Your family income decides this.

Why

You meet the other rules for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. For the 2026-2027 benefit period, your adjusted family net income must be under $90,000.

What to do next

  1. Find line 23600 on your tax return or your Notice of Assessment. If you have a spouse or partner, add their line 23600.
  2. If the total is under $90,000, run this check again or apply.
  3. Applying is free. If you are close to the limit, apply anyway: Apply for free in My Service Canada Account, with the online form on Canada.ca, or by calling Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You are likely eligible for the CDCP, with no co-pay.

Why

You have no private dental insurance, you filed your taxes, and your adjusted family net income is under $70,000. For the 2026-2027 benefit period, the plan pays 100% of its set fee for covered services such as check-ups, fillings and dentures.

What to do next

  1. Apply for free in My Service Canada Account, with the online form on Canada.ca, or by calling Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342.
  2. If you have a spouse or partner, they must apply separately.
  3. Wait for your letter. Care you get before your coverage start date is not covered.
  4. Before treatment, ask the dental office whether it takes CDCP patients and whether any part will cost extra. Offices can charge more than the plan's fee.
  5. Renew every spring. Coverage ends on June 30, 2027.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You are likely eligible for the CDCP, with a 40% co-pay.

Why

You have no private dental insurance, you filed your taxes, and your adjusted family net income is $70,000 to $79,999. For the 2026-2027 benefit period, the plan pays 60% of its set fee for covered services. You pay the other 40%.

What to do next

  1. Apply for free in My Service Canada Account, with the online form on Canada.ca, or by calling Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342.
  2. If you have a spouse or partner, they must apply separately.
  3. Wait for your letter. Care you get before your coverage start date is not covered.
  4. Before treatment, ask the dental office for the full cost, your co-pay and any extra charges.
  5. Renew every spring. Coverage ends on June 30, 2027.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You are likely eligible for the CDCP, with a 60% co-pay.

Why

You have no private dental insurance, you filed your taxes, and your adjusted family net income is $80,000 to $89,999. For the 2026-2027 benefit period, the plan pays 40% of its set fee for covered services. You pay the other 60%.

What to do next

  1. Apply for free in My Service Canada Account, with the online form on Canada.ca, or by calling Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342.
  2. If you have a spouse or partner, they must apply separately.
  3. Wait for your letter. Care you get before your coverage start date is not covered.
  4. Before treatment, ask the dental office for the full cost, your co-pay and any extra charges.
  5. Your co-pay and extra charges may count toward the medical expense tax credit.
  6. Renew every spring. Coverage ends on June 30, 2027.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Where these rules come from

  1. Canadian Dental Care Plan: Do you qualify (Government of Canada)
  2. Canadian Dental Care Plan (Government of Canada)
  3. Canadian Dental Care Plan: Apply (Government of Canada)
  4. Canadian Dental Care Plan: What's covered (Government of Canada)
  5. Renew your Canadian Dental Care Plan coverage (Government of Canada)

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