Maple News reports that Canada’s public dental care initiative—the Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP)—is set to expand its coverage on June 27, now including children under 18 from eligible households.
Launched in late 2023 to support low- and middle-income Canadians, the CDCP is a multi-phase government program designed to ease the financial burden of dental expenses for families lacking private insurance. Initially rolled out to seniors aged 65 and above, the program is now entering its second phase.
As of June 27, eligible children under 18 and adults with disabilities will be able to access dental care services under the CDCP. The plan builds upon the previous Canada Dental Benefit, which only offered support for children under 12. With this expansion, many families—particularly newcomers with school-aged children—will benefit significantly from improved access to preventive and emergency dental care.
Eligibility for the CDCP is based on several criteria. Applicants must have an adjusted family net income below $90,000, must not be covered by a private dental insurance plan, must reside in Canada for tax purposes, and must have filed a tax return in the previous year.
Maple News highlights that temporary residents—including those on valid work or study permits—may also qualify for the CDCP, as long as their residency codes on their most recent Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment fall within 0, 5, 8, 9, 10, or 12.
Those with residency codes such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 11, 13, or 15 are currently not eligible under the plan. These coding distinctions ensure the program remains aligned with Canadian tax residency status requirements.
The final phase of the CDCP is projected to launch in 2025, at which point all other eligible Canadian residents without existing dental coverage will be included in the program. The government has not yet announced the exact date for this final rollout.
By expanding access bit by bit, the CDCP aims to create a more equitable healthcare environment while closing the gap in essential oral health care for families across the country.
Maple News will continue to monitor updates to this federal dental care expansion and what it means for permanent and temporary immigrants settling in Canada.