Canadian Dental Care Plan renewal opens as coverage tops 6.5 million, with warning over June 30 cutoff

The Canadian government said in a new statement released on Friday, April 17, 2026, that more than 6.5 million people are now covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan, while more than 4 million have already received care through the program. Officials also said members are saving about 900 Canadian dollars a year on average, underscoring the growing reach of one of the country’s largest direct health support programs.

The update comes as renewals open for current members for the 2026-2027 benefit year. The renewal window began on April 15 and runs until June 1, 2026. The government said current coverage remains valid until June 30, 2026, but will end on that date if members do not renew on time.

Officials warned that people who miss the renewal deadline will need to submit a new application later, which could create a gap in coverage. Dental care received during that gap will not be covered and will not be reimbursed retroactively. The government also said new enrolment for people who did not renew, as well as new applicants, opens on June 2, 2026.

Under the current rules, applicants and renewing members must have no access to private dental insurance, must have an adjusted family net income below 90,000 Canadian dollars, must be Canadian residents for tax purposes, and must have filed their taxes. The government also urged people to check the dental coverage codes on their T4 and T4A slips, warning that inaccurate declarations could lead to removal from the plan and repayment of claimed amounts.

The plan covers a broad range of dental services, including exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, root canals, some dentures, oral surgery, and sedation services. Orthodontic services are still not available under the program at this stage. Coverage is also not always full. The plan covers 100 percent of eligible costs at established fees for families earning under 70,000 Canadian dollars, 60 percent for those earning between 70,000 and 79,999 dollars, and 40 percent for those earning between 80,000 and 89,999 dollars, with possible extra charges if provider fees exceed CDCP rates or if a service is not covered.

The new announcement sends a clear message to Canadians already enrolled in the plan: the program is expanding in real terms, but keeping coverage now depends on renewing within the current window.