Canadian Dental Care Plan: Coverage, Eligibility, How to Apply

If you’re one of the millions of Canadians who lack private dental insurance, help has arrived in the form of a new federal program. The Canadian Dental Care Plan (RCSD) is now rolling out, covering everything from routine cleanings to dentures for eligible residents. Here’s what you need to know about the plan’s benefits, who qualifies, and exactly how to apply — straight from official government sources.

Income threshold: $90,000 ·
Co-payment (income $70k–$79,999): 40% ·
Co-payment (income $80k–$89,999): 60%

The table below captures the key parameters of the RCSD at a glance — a set of clear thresholds, but also a few co-pay levels that change with income.

What does the Canadian Dental Care Plan cover?

The RCSD covers a range of dental services. According to the Government of Canada benefits guide, the plan includes preventive, basic restorative, and major restorative services, with limited orthodontic coverage for medical necessity.

Preventive services

• Routine cleanings and exams
• Fluoride applications
• Sealants

These services are fully covered for low-income members (income under $70,000) and subject to co-payment for higher earners.

Basic restorative services

• Fillings
• Extractions
• Root canals (anterior teeth)

Basic restorative work is covered under the same co-payment structure — the government guide notes that these are standard offerings.

Major restorative services

• Partial and full dentures
• Crowns
• Relines and repairs

Major services require pre-determination through Sun Life’s claims system, according to the Sun Life dental benefit grids.

Orthodontic coverage

Orthodontic treatment is covered only when deemed medically necessary — for example, to correct a cleft palate or severe malocclusion. Cosmetic braces for adults are excluded, per the government guide.

Seniors and low-income families benefit most from the plan’s broad coverage, while higher-income households face significant co-payments.

What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan and who can apply?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (RCSD) is a federal initiative to help uninsured residents afford dental care. Administered by Sun Life, it covers a portion of dental fees based on household income. Applications are open to any Canadian resident who meets three conditions: no private dental insurance, a filed tax return from the previous year, and adjusted family net income below $90,000.

What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

It’s a publicly funded, privately administered plan. The government sets the rules and pays subsidies; Sun Life processes claims and manages the network. The plan was announced in the 2023 federal budget, with a $13 billion allocation over five years.

Who can apply?

• Canadian residents for tax purposes
• Individuals who have filed their previous year’s tax return
• Those without access to private dental insurance (including through an employer, retirement plan, or family member)
• Household income below $90,000

How to apply?

Applications are submitted online through the RCSD application portal. You’ll need your Social Insurance Number, date of birth, address, and details of any existing government dental coverage. After submission, Service Canada verifies your eligibility and transfers the information to Sun Life for enrollment.

1. Gather your Social Insurance Number, date of birth, address, and information on any existing government dental coverage.
2. Visit the official RCSD application portal and complete the online form.
3. Submit the application; Service Canada will verify your eligibility.
4. Once approved, Sun Life will enroll you and you can choose a participating dentist.

Applicants must have filed taxes; the process moves from Service Canada verification to Sun Life enrollment before care begins.

Who is eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

Eligibility rests on three pillars: residency, income, and insurance status. The Government of Canada’s benefits guide lays out the criteria in detail.

Residency requirements

• You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
• You must have a valid Social Insurance Number.

Income requirements

• Adjusted family net income must be less than $90,000.
• If income is below $70,000, the government covers 100% of eligible fees (no co-payment).
• Income between $70,000 and $79,999: you pay 40% co-payment.
• Income between $80,000 and $89,999: you pay 60% co-payment.

Insurance status requirements

You cannot have access to any private dental plan — whether through an employer, a family member’s policy, or a retirement package. If you have only provincial or territorial dental coverage (like certain social assistance programs), you may still be eligible.

Income thresholds create stark differences: just a few thousand dollars can shift costs from zero to nearly half of a procedure’s price.

Are dental care free for people 65 and over?

Seniors were the first group prioritized in the RCSD’s phased rollout. According to the Government of Canada’s benefits guide, coverage for seniors aged 65 and above began in May 2024.

Coverage for seniors

Eligibility is the same as for other age groups: no private insurance, income under $90,000. Seniors with income below $70,000 receive full coverage (0% co-payment). Those above that threshold pay a co-payment based on the same brackets.

Co-payment details

• Income < $70,000: no co-payment (100% covered)
• Income $70,000–$79,999: 40% co-payment
• Income $80,000–$89,999: 60% co-payment

How seniors can apply

The online application process is identical. Seniors who may not be comfortable online can call Service Canada for assistance. Once approved, they choose a dentist enrolled in the Sun Life network.

Seniors without private insurance gain significant relief, but those with existing retiree benefits are locked out entirely.

What dental care is not covered?

Despite its broad scope, the RCSD excludes several common services. The Government of Canada’s benefits guide explicitly states that the plan is a summary of coverage and policies, not the complete list — but the exclusions are clear.

Cosmetic procedures

Teeth whitening, veneers, bonding for purely aesthetic reasons, and cosmetic contouring are not covered.

Orthodontics for adults

Braces, aligners, and retainers for adults are excluded unless deemed medically necessary (e.g., for reconstructive surgery).

Dental implants

Implants are not covered under the basic plan. The guide indicates they may be considered under separate policy, but generally patients must cover the full cost.

Other exclusions

• Services provided outside Canada
• Experimental or unproven treatments
• Services not pre-approved when required (e.g., major restorative work)

Patients seeking implants or cosmetic dentistry must budget separately, as these remain out-of-pocket expenses.

Timeline

The RCSD is being introduced in phases. Based on the government’s rollout plan:

• April 2023: Federal budget announces $13 billion over five years for a new dental plan (announcement, not yet in effect).
• May 2024: Coverage begins for eligible seniors aged 65 and above (Sun Life RCSD page).
• July 2024: Expansion to adults with disabilities.
• January 2025: Full rollout for all eligible Canadians under 65.

The implication: while seniors can apply now, younger adults still need to wait until 2025 to enroll unless they have a disability.

Clarity: Confirmed vs. Unclear

“The plan will be rolled out in stages to ensure smooth implementation.”

— Health Canada official statement (Government of Canada benefits guide)

“We are building a national network of dentists to serve plan members.”

— Sun Life representative (Sun Life RCSD page)

The RCSD represents a major step toward universal dental coverage in Canada, but the phased rollout and income-based co-payments create a patchwork of access. For a senior earning $68,000, the plan is essentially free. For a family of four earning $85,000, even with the 60% co-payment, the plan still cuts dental costs dramatically compared to paying full fees out of pocket. The catch remains coordination with provinces and the exclusion of implants and adult orthodontics. For the 9 million Canadians without insurance, the clear recommendation is: check your income bracket, gather your tax documents, and apply as soon as your cohort opens.

For a complete breakdown of covered services and step-by-step instructions, refer to the Canadian Dental Care Plan guide for the most up-to-date details.

Frequently Asked Questions