What is the Canada Dental Benefit (CDB)?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal initiative designed to provide dental care coverage to Canadian residents who lack dental benefits and have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000 per year. While the CDCP is not a free dental program, it offers valuable government dental benefits, with potential co-payments based on income levels.

Key Points to Note:

• The CDCP is specifically for individuals who do not have existing dental coverage, including employer-provided benefits, pension benefits, or privately purchased plans.
• The program is being rolled out in phases, with different groups becoming eligible at different times:
  • Seniors aged 65 and above: Applications opened in December 2023.
  • Children under 18 and adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate: Applications started on June 27, 2024.
  • All remaining eligible Canadian residents: Applications start in 2025.
• Eligibility criteria include being a Canadian resident, having filed a tax return in the previous year, and not having access to dental insurance.

Coverage Levels

Coverage levels under the CDCP vary based on adjusted family net income:

• Under $70,000: 100% coverage
• $70,000 to $79,999: 60% coverage (40% co-payment)
• $80,000 to $89,999: 40% coverage (60% co-payment)

The CDCP covers a range of dental services, including preventive, diagnostic, restorative, endodontic, prosthodontic, periodontal, and oral surgery services. Eligibility needs to be reassessed annually.

For the most up-to-date information and to check your eligibility, it is important to visit the official Government of Canada website.