Canadian Dental Care Plan Renewal: Eligibility, Deadlines, and Steps

The CDCP renewal is an important yearly step if you’re part of the federal dental benefit program. It helps you keep your dental coverage active and avoid unexpected costs when you visit your dentist. Many Canadians who’ve benefited from the plan in previous years wonder: Do I need to renew? When? And how do I avoid gaps in coverage? 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through every part of the Canadian Dental Care Plan renewal process, so you feel confident and prepared.

What Is Canadian Dental Care Plan Renewal?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) offers affordable dental coverage to eligible Canadians, helping people access preventive and essential dental services. To stay covered under this plan, you must renew your coverage each year. Renewal confirms that you still meet the eligibility requirements set by the government. 

Renewing your plan is not automatic; you have to take action before the yearly deadline. If you don’t renew in time, your coverage can end and you might have to pay out of pocket for dental care until your coverage is active again.

Who Needs to Renew the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

If you’re already enrolled in the Canadian Dental Care Plan, renewal applies to you and any dependents covered under your plan. This includes adults, seniors, and children who received benefits in the previous coverage year and want to maintain access without interruption.

To remain eligible for renewal, you must continue to meet the eligibility criteria set by the government and ensure you have filed your most recent tax return and received your Notice of Assessment. Moreover, your adjusted family net income must still be below $90,000. You also need to be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, meaning you live in Canada, file taxes there, and intend to stay. This is important because if your residency or income situation changes, it could affect your renewal.

Further reading: How to Check Your CDCP Application Status Online

When to Renew the Canadian Dental Care Plan

The renewal process for each benefit year usually opens early in the calendar year and has a firm deadline. According to Canada.ca, for the 2025-2026 benefit year, renewal applications needed to be submitted by June 1, 2025, to avoid gaps in coverage. The renewal process has now ended. 

For 2026-2027, renewal applications must be submitted by June 1, 2026.

You need to act before this deadline. If you miss it, your coverage ends on June 30, 2026, and services received after that date won’t be reimbursed.

How to Apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan Renewal

Renewing your plan is easier than many people think: you just need the right documents and a moment to complete the process online, by phone, or with help from someone you trust. Before we dive into the steps, let’s check what documents you need.

Documents You Need for CDCP Renewal

Before you start the renewal application, make sure you have the following documents:

• Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Your Notice of Assessment from your most recent tax return
• Your current contact and address information
• Any details about your spouse or common‑law partner’s tax filing

Step-by-Step Online Renewal Process

Here’s how to renew your Canadian Dental Care Plan online:

1. Sign in to your My Service Canada Account (MSCA).
2. The Canadian Dental Care Plan appears at the top of your dashboard
3. Click ‘Apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan’ and follow the instructions (renewal uses the application process).
4. Submit your details once you’ve confirmed everything is accurate.

What Happens If You Miss the Renewal Deadline?

Missing the renewal deadline can be costly. Your coverage ends on June 30, 2026, and any dental care received after that date won’t be covered or reimbursed.

However, you can still submit a new application after the deadline, as long as you meet eligibility requirements. Still, there will be a coverage gap until the plan is processed again. During that gap, you’ll have to pay for services out of pocket.

This makes it especially important to renew early and double‑check that everything is up to date.

Worth reading: Healthy Smiles Ontario: Services and Coverage Explained

Common Problems and Mistakes During the CDCP Renewal

Even though the renewal process is straightforward, many people encounter issues, especially when documentation isn’t complete or when they wait until the last minute. Some common problems include:

• Not having your Notice of Assessment ready
• Typos or mismatches in personal information
• Waiting until the last week before the deadline
• Forgetting to renew dependents under 18

Our tip? Start early and double‑check your details before you hit submit. If something goes wrong, you’ll have time to fix it.

Learn more about CDCP for seniors here: Government Dental Coverage for Canadian Seniors

Canadian Dental Care Plan Renewal: Keep Your Dental Coverage Active

Keeping your Canadian Dental Care Plan renewal up to date ensures you don’t lose access to benefits and keeps your oral health journey smooth. At Danforth Dentistry, we’re here to help you understand your coverage and maximize your benefits. 

If you ever have questions about how your renewal affects your appointments or out‑of‑pocket costs, don’t hesitate to contact our team today. We’ll walk you through your coverage and your dental care options, from CDCP-supported dental cleaning to root canal treatment in Toronto. Moreover, since we support the CDCP at our clinic, once your renewal is complete, you can use your benefits directly at Danforth Dentistry.

FAQ

Have questions or personal experiences with the Canadian Dental Care Plan renewal? Leave a comment below; we’d love to help and share tips!