The CDCP for seniors: what applies to you, and what catches retirees out

There is no separate seniors’ version of the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Seniors were simply the first to be let in: applications opened for people aged 87 and over in December 2023, younger age groups followed through early 2024, and care began that May. Since 2025 the same rules have applied at every age.

A lot of what is written online still describes that roll-out. What matters now is that three of today’s rules affect retirees more than anyone else.

I have dental coverage through my pension. Can I still apply?

Usually not. Having access to dental coverage through a pension plan makes you ineligible — and access is the test, so coverage you never use still counts.

There is one exception, and the date in it matters. You may qualify if you are retired, opted out of your pension’s dental coverage before 11 December 2023, and cannot opt back in. If you opted out on or after that date, you are not eligible — even if you cannot now rejoin the pension plan. Opting out today to become eligible does not work.

I don’t normally file a tax return. Does that matter?

Yes, and it is the rule that stops the most people. The plan works out your eligibility and your co-payment from last year’s tax return, so you — and your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one — must have filed, and received your notice of assessment. Many retirees on a low income have stopped filing because they owe nothing. For the CDCP, you need to file anyway.

Does my pension count towards the income limit?

It does. The limit is adjusted family net income under $90,000, taken from the net income on your tax return, which includes pension income. It is family income, so a spouse’s or partner’s income is added to yours. Below $70,000 there is no co-payment on the plan’s fees; between $70,000 and $90,000 you pay a share. The full bands are on our CDCP guide.

Are dentures covered?

Yes — and for many retirees this is what the plan is for.

• Complete dentures are covered without asking the plan first.
• Partial dentures, and immediate complete dentures fitted the day teeth come out, need the plan’s approval before we start. Approval is not automatic — see what the CDCP has to approve first.
• Relines, rebases and repairs to a denture you already have are covered.

As with everything under the CDCP, the plan pays a share of its own fee schedule, and that schedule can sit below what a practice charges — so you get the figure in writing before anything is made.

What we do at this end

We make full and partial dentures here, from the first impressions to the final fitting, and we bill Sun Life directly for covered care, so you are not paying the whole bill and waiting to be paid back. If you are not sure your coverage is active, bring your card and we will check it with you before you book.

Coverage also has to be renewed every year, and a gap is never paid back afterwards — renewing your CDCP coverage covers the dates.

Sources: Government of Canada — Who is eligible; Health Canada, May 2024. Plan rules change; we check this page against Service Canada each year.