What the CDCP Actually Covers in Late 2026
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Abinaash Kaur, DDS, RCDSO, on 2026-07-21. Dr. Kaur is a general dentist in Toronto (Bloor West Village) registered with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.
As of late 2026, the Canadian Dental Care Plan covers a broad set of everyday dental care, from exams and cleanings to fillings, root canals, extractions, and dentures, for eligible residents of any age with no private dental insurance and an adjusted family net income under $90,000 (Canada.ca). The plan has matured since its early senior-only days, so a few things are different now than they were a year ago. This is the short, current update: what changed, what it means for you today, and what still isn't covered. For the full service-by-service breakdown, our complete guide to what CDCP covers goes deeper.
What does the CDCP cover right now?
Most of the routine dentistry a family actually uses. The plan covers diagnostic services like exams and x-rays, preventive care like cleanings (scaling), fluoride, and sealants, and restorative work like fillings (Canada.ca). It also covers root canal treatment, non-surgical gum-disease care, tooth removal and other oral surgery, and dentures, including complete dentures (Canada.ca).
Some services go through without any extra step, and others need preauthorization first, meaning your dentist submits the proposed treatment for approval before you get it. Crowns are one example that needs preauthorization (Canada.ca). The plan is clear that not every request is approved, so for anything major it's worth asking your dentist to confirm coverage before the appointment. For the full list of what falls where, our complete CDCP guide maps it out, and you can always check the official Canada.ca coverage page.
What changed with the CDCP in 2026?
The plan grew up. The biggest shift is that it's now open to all eligible ages, so the old rollout by age group is finished and adults 18 to 64 are fully in alongside seniors, children, and people with the Disability Tax Credit. If you checked your eligibility a year or two ago and were told to wait for your age group, that wait is over.
The second change is the rhythm of the plan. CDCP now runs on a single benefit period that ends each year on June 30, and you have to renew every year to confirm you still qualify (Canada.ca). Your copayment level can also change when you renew, based on the plan rules and fees in effect when you actually receive care (Canada.ca). So this isn't a set-it-and-forget-it program. It's a yearly check-in tied to your latest tax return.
Did I miss the 2026 renewal? What happens now?
Maybe, and if so you're not stuck. The renewal window for the 2025-2026 coverage year closed on June 1, 2026 (Canada.ca). If you renewed in time, your coverage continued smoothly. If you missed it, you may have a gap while you get re-approved, so the honest move is to sort it out rather than assume you're still covered.
Here's the current state as I write this. Applications are open for the 2026-2027 benefit year, so a new applicant can still get in (Canada.ca). And the next renewal cycle, for the 2027-2028 benefit year, opens in spring 2027 (Canada.ca). Did you know you can check your own status and apply directly through the federal site? Start at the official eligibility page. If your income or insurance situation changed this year, for instance you lost workplace coverage, you may qualify now even if you didn't before.
What does the CDCP still NOT cover in late 2026?
The exclusions haven't loosened, and the one people ask me about most is orthodontics. Braces and Invisalign are not covered right now. The plan states plainly that orthodontic services "are not available yet," that a limited range will come "at a date to be determined," and that preauthorization will be required when they do arrive (Canada.ca). So in late 2026, if you're hoping CDCP will pay for adult Invisalign, the answer is no. Our post on CDCP and Invisalign covers what that means and what your options are.
Cosmetic work stays out too, and dental implants are not a covered tooth-replacement route under the plan. Most people think a federal dental plan covers everything a dentist can do. What actually happens is that CDCP covers medically needed, everyday care and leaves elective and cosmetic treatment to you. For missing teeth, dentures are the covered path, not implants. Knowing the exclusions before you book saves you from a surprise, which is the whole point of reading this.
Will I still get a bill even though I'm covered?
Sometimes, yes, and it's worth understanding why. Two things decide what you pay. The first is your income-based copayment. If your adjusted family net income is under $70,000, the plan covers 100% of eligible costs and you pay nothing toward them. Between $70,000 and $79,999 you pay 40% of the CDCP fees, and between $80,000 and $89,999 you pay 60% (Canada.ca). Above $90,000 you're not eligible.
The second is the fee gap. CDCP reimburses at its own established fees, and those "may not be the same as what providers charge" (Canada.ca). If a dentist's fee sits above the CDCP amount for a service, you can be asked to pay the difference on top of any copay. The plan's own advice is to know what you'll owe before you accept treatment (Canada.ca). At our office in Bloor West Village we go over that number with you first, so nothing on the bill is a surprise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does CDCP cover in late 2026? Everyday dental care: exams, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride, sealants, fillings, root canals, non-surgical gum treatment, extractions and oral surgery, and dentures (Canada.ca). Some major services, like crowns, need preauthorization before you receive them. For the full service-by-service list, see our complete CDCP coverage guide.
Q: Is the CDCP open to all ages now? Yes. As of the 2026-2027 benefit year the plan is open to all eligible residents regardless of age, so the earlier rollout by age group is finished. You still need an adjusted family net income under $90,000, no access to private dental insurance, and a filed tax return (Canada.ca).
Q: I missed the CDCP renewal deadline. What can I do? The renewal window for 2025-2026 closed on June 1, 2026 (Canada.ca). If you missed it you may have a coverage gap, but applications are open for the 2026-2027 benefit year, and the next renewal cycle for 2027-2028 opens in spring 2027 (Canada.ca). Check your status on the federal site.
Q: Does CDCP cover braces or Invisalign in 2026? No. Orthodontic services are not covered right now. The plan says they "are not available yet," with a limited range coming "at a date to be determined" and preauthorization required (Canada.ca). Private or workplace plans may cover orthodontics, but CDCP does not in late 2026.
Q: How much will I pay out of pocket with CDCP? It depends on your income. Under $70,000 adjusted family net income, the plan covers 100% of eligible costs. From $70,000 to $79,999 you pay 40%, and from $80,000 to $89,999 you pay 60% (Canada.ca). You may also owe the difference if your provider's fee is higher than the CDCP established fee.
Q: Why is my dentist's fee higher than what CDCP pays? CDCP reimburses at its own established fees, which "may not be the same as what providers charge" (Canada.ca). When a fee is above the CDCP amount, you can be billed the difference. Ask for the expected out-of-pocket number before you accept treatment, which the plan itself recommends.
Reviewed by Dr. Abinaash Kaur, B.Sc., DDS (University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry), a general dentist practising in Toronto's Bloor West Village. The Village Dentist is a CDCP-participating practice. This article is general information, not individual coverage advice. Confirm your own eligibility and coverage at Canada.ca.
Need help using your CDCP coverage in Toronto? We're a CDCP-participating practice in Bloor West Village, serving the Junction, High Park, and Baby Point. Book a visit with The Village Dentist, and we'll confirm what your plan covers and what you'll owe before any work begins. You can also learn more about CDCP at our practice.
