The Government of Canada has reminded participants in the Canadian Dental Care Plan that they must renew their enrollment in the program each year to maintain coverage for the 2026–2027 benefit year. According to official data, renewals are open from April 15 to June 1, 2026. If this is not done on time, current coverage will end on June 30, 2026, and participants will then have to submit a new application, which could result in a gap in coverage.
The official release highlights that CDCP has already become one of the country’s largest social programs. The government reports over 6.3 million registered participants, more than 4 million people who have already seen a dentist, and average savings of approximately $900 per year for those eligible for coverage. Separately, Health Canada also reiterates these same guidelines in an April announcement for World Health Day 2026.
What is required for renewal
To renew their participation, plan members must reconfirm that they:
- do not have access to private dental insurance;
- have an adjusted gross family income below $90,000;
- remain tax residents of Canada.
Before renewing, you must also file a tax return and receive the 2025 Notice of Assessment from the CRA.
How to submit a renewal
There are several ways to submit a renewal. The most convenient option is through My Service Canada Account, where the “Renew your Canadian Dental Care Plan coverage” button is available in the Canadian Dental Care Plan section.
If MSCA isn’t suitable, the government allows you to renew your coverage:
- through Canada.ca;
- by phone at Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342;
- for TTY, the number is 1-833-677-6262.
What’s Important to Understand
It’s important to frame the news correctly here. This isn’t about launching a new program from scratch, but about the annual renewal of existing coverage for CDCP participants. The program’s official website explicitly warns: anyone who fails to renew their participation by June 1 will lose coverage as of June 30, and new applications for the next benefit year will open on June 2, 2026.