Picture the end of a dental appointment. The cleaning is done, you are gathering your coat, and the front desk mentions that part of the bill is yours. For many people enrolled in the national dental plan, that moment still comes as a surprise.
Two years in, the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) has published its first full assessment of the Canadian Dental Care Plan, and the picture is mixed. The report, called From Coverage to Care, finds that millions have signed up and most patients like the care they receive, while many still struggle to afford what is recommended once they are in the chair.
The Bottom Line
The plan is helping. Fewer Canadians are going without dental coverage and most patients report good experiences, but the plan was never designed to be completely free, and half of complete preauthorization requests are denied. Before any treatment, ask your dental office what the plan will cover and what you will owe.
Key Takeaways
7.5 million Canadians have enrolled since the plan started accepting claims in May 2024, and 4.8 million have had a claim approved.
37 percent of patients who received care still faced financial barriers, which the CDA links to plan fees set below the real cost of care.
59 percent of patients expected their care to be completely free, although the plan covers a share of costs based on income.
Half of complete preauthorization requests are denied, and only 17 percent of dentists say most of the care they recommend has been covered.
88 percent of patients who used the plan had a positive experience, and 57 percent said their oral health improved.
The share of Canadians reporting no dental coverage fell from 35 percent to 25 percent.
What Did the CDCP Report Card Actually Find?
The CDCP report card, released Tuesday and covered in detail by CTV News, measures the plan against recommendations the CDA made in 2023. You can read the CDA's own summary of its assessment as well. The enrolment numbers tell the story in layers. Claims for seniors began in May 2024, eligibility expanded to all ages a year later, and 7.5 million Canadians have enrolled since then.
Enrolment and treatment are two different things, though. In the 2025-26 enrolment year, 6.5 million people were enrolled and 3.9 million received care. For 2026-27, enrolment slipped to 4.7 million, and just over 900,000 of those members have had a claim approved so far. According to the federal government's CDCP statistics and the report, 4.8 million people have had a claim approved over the life of the program, against Ottawa's original estimate that up to nine million Canadians would eventually get more affordable care through it.
Why Are Patients Still Facing Out-of-Pocket Dental Costs?
Out-of-pocket dental costs remain common because of how the plan is built. It reimburses a percentage of eligible costs depending on family income, and the patient pays the rest as a copay. The CDA adds a second layer, saying the plan's fees are set below the actual cost of care, which leaves part of the bill with patients. In its survey, 37 percent of patients who received care still faced financial barriers.
Approvals are the next hurdle. Preauthorization is the step where your dental office asks the plan to approve a treatment before doing it, and half of complete requests are denied. Only 17 percent of dentists say most of the care they recommend has been covered for their patients. If you have ever sat waiting on a specialist referral that never turned into a phone call, the feeling will be familiar.
Expectations add friction too, since 59 percent of patients expected their care to be completely free. Dental offices also report heavy paperwork and about 7,200 unfilled positions for hygienists and assistants, so a short-staffed office can mean a longer wait for an appointment.
Is Dental Coverage in Canada Actually Getting Better?
By several measures, dental coverage in Canada is broader than it was before the plan arrived. The share of Canadians reporting no dental coverage fell from 35 percent to 25 percent, more than 90 percent of dentists now take part, and 70 percent of dentists support the program.
Patients mostly like what they get. Among those who used the plan, 88 percent reported a positive experience and 57 percent said their oral health improved. A spokesperson for Health Minister Marjorie Michel pointed to those results and said Canadians are saving an average of $1,000 a year on dental costs. Public coverage in Canada almost always comes with fine print, a theme that also runs through what your provincial health card covers once you leave your province.
Who Meets the CDCP Eligibility Rules Right Now?
CDCP eligibility comes down to four requirements. You need to be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, have no access to dental insurance, have an adjusted family net income under $90,000, and have filed last year's tax return.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan covers a share of eligible services such as cleanings, X-rays, fillings, dentures and root canals, and Health Canada stresses that it is not a formal insurance plan. Some treatments need preauthorization, and the federal Dental Benefits Guide sets out what is covered and how often.
Coverage also runs one benefit year at a time. Members have to renew their coverage every year, and anyone who misses the renewal window loses coverage until they are approved again, with no reimbursement for care received during the gap. The report does not say why enrolment fell this year, but the renewal step is one place where eligible people can slip through.
How Can You Avoid a Surprise Dental Bill?
Dental offices are explaining coverage appointment by appointment, so having that conversation before the work starts is the simplest way to avoid a surprise dental bill.
Ask two questions before any treatment. What will the plan cover for this specific procedure, and what will I owe out of pocket?
Ask about alternatives if an approval is denied. With half of complete preauthorization requests denied, it is worth asking whether a covered option exists that still meets your needs.
Watch for the yearly renewal window. Renewing on time keeps your coverage from lapsing and saves you from reapplying as a new member.
Check your pain reliever while you wait. If you are leaning on over-the-counter pain relief while you sort out coverage, find out whether your acetaminophen was part of September's recall.
Do not sit on a toothache that comes with fever or facial swelling. The 811 health line connects you with a registered nurse who can help you decide how quickly to be seen, and swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow is a reason to call 911.
What CDCP Changes Could Be Coming Next?
The CDA issued more than 30 recommendations in three priority areas. It wants coverage that better matches what patients need, fees that reflect the real cost of care with lighter preauthorization and paperwork, and a national oral health strategy that strengthens the dental workforce.
Michel thanked the CDA for the report and said she would work with the association on its recommendations. Any CDCP changes would come from Ottawa, and the report does not change anything for patients today, so the rules on the federal plan pages are the ones that apply. If dental care is one of several gaps in your care, the main ways to get care without a family doctor are worth knowing too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan free?
The plan was never designed to be completely free. The Canadian Dental Care Plan reimburses a percentage of eligible costs based on your adjusted family net income, and the remainder is a patient copay. The CDA also found that plan fees sit below the real cost of care, so ask your dental office what you will owe before treatment starts.
What dental services does the CDCP cover?
The plan covers a range of oral health services, including cleanings, X-rays, fillings, dentures, and root canals. Some treatments need preauthorization before the work begins, and half of complete preauthorization requests are denied. The federal Dental Benefits Guide lists what is covered and how often, and your dental office can confirm coverage for a specific procedure.
What should I do if my CDCP preauthorization is denied?
Ask your dentist whether a different treatment that the plan does cover would still meet your needs. Denials are common, since the Canadian Dental Association found that half of complete preauthorization requests are refused. Your dental office can also explain what you would pay out of pocket if you go ahead with the original treatment.
Do I have to renew my CDCP coverage every year?
Members must renew every year to confirm they still meet the eligibility rules, including having filed the previous year's tax return. If you miss the renewal window, your coverage ends and you have to reapply as a new applicant. Care you receive during the gap is not covered and is not reimbursed retroactively.
Your Next Step
If it has been a while since anyone looked at your teeth, do not let the paperwork be the reason you wait. Medimap can help you find a dentist near you, so the hardest part of the appointment is just showing up. For more on navigating care in Canada, explore the Medimap Health Hub.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Medimap is not a doctor and does not diagnose or treat. If you have symptoms or questions about your health, speak with a qualified health care provider. In an emergency, call 911.
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