CDCP Renewal 2026–2027: Complete Guide
CDCP coverage must be renewed every year before the June 1 deadline. Renewal is done through My Service Canada Account (MSCA) online, or by phone at 1-833-537-4342. You need your Notice of Assessment confirming adjusted family net income under $90,000 and attestation that you have no access to private dental insurance. If you miss the window, a coverage gap occurs — dental care during the gap is not reimbursed.
Estimate your out-of-pocket cost for the new benefit year
CDCP Out-of-Pocket Calculator
Province × income tier × procedure — 2026 figures in CAD
paymentsCDCP Coverage & Out-of-Pocket Estimate
* Estimates based on 2025–2026 provincial suggested-fee guides (CAD). Actual costs vary by province and provider; figures flagged as estimates are modelled.
How CDCP renewal works: the annual cycle
The CDCP runs on a benefit year from July 1 to June 30. Each spring, the Government of Canada opens a renewal window — typically April to June 1 — during which current members must log into My Service Canada Account (MSCA) and confirm they still meet eligibility requirements. The renewal process re-verifies two things: your adjusted family net income (from your most recently filed tax return) and whether you have gained access to private dental insurance since the previous year.
The renewal window for the 2027-2028 benefit year will open in spring 2027. The 2025-2026 renewal closed June 1, 2026.
Who can renew: the four requirements
To renew CDCP coverage, you must meet all four of the following at the time of renewal:
- No access to private dental insurance. This includes employer group benefits, an individual plan, a professional or student organization plan, or pension plan coverage. You are considered to have access even if you opted out, do not use the plan, or have to pay a premium.
- You and your spouse or common-law partner (if applicable) have filed your Canadian tax return for the previous year and received your Notice of Assessment.
- Adjusted family net income under $90,000. This is your family net income (line 23600 of your return and your partner's, if applicable), minus any Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) or Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) income received, plus any UCCB and RDSP amounts repaid.
- Canadian resident for tax purposes.
Exception for retirees
If you receive a pension, you may still qualify if you permanently opted out of pension dental insurance before December 11, 2023, and the pension rules do not allow you to opt back in.
Reading your T4 and T4A: the insurance-access box decoder
Before attesting that you have no access to dental insurance, check your tax slips. A common reason for CDCP removal is a mismatch between the member's attestation and the box codes on their employer or pension plan tax slips.
| Slip | Box | Code 1 | Codes 2, 3, 4, or 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| T4 (employed) | Box 45 | No dental access — eligible to attest | Dental access exists — you cannot attest |
| T4A (pension) | Box 015 | No dental access — eligible to attest | Dental access exists (even if opted out) |
If your T4 or T4A shows a code of 2 through 5 and you no longer have dental coverage (for example, because you retired mid-year), you may be asked to submit documentation proving coverage ended. Contact Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342 to clarify your situation before completing your renewal attestation.
What you need to complete the renewal
Gather the following before starting the MSCA renewal flow:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN) for yourself and any dependants (if they have one)
- CDCP member ID (on your Sun Life member card or in previous MSCA correspondence)
- Most recent Notice of Assessment confirming adjusted family net income
- Current home and mailing address
- Any government dental coverage you receive (provincial programs, Indigenous health benefits)
How to renew: step by step
Online (recommended): Log into My Service Canada Account at canada.ca/my-service-canada-account. Select "Canadian Dental Care Plan" from the dashboard. Follow the prompts to confirm your eligibility, update your information, and submit.
By phone: Call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342. Have your SIN, member ID, and NOA ready. In-person renewal is available at Service Canada Centres if online or phone renewal is not accessible.
What changes when you renew: co-pay tier shifts
Your co-payment level is not fixed. It is recalculated at each renewal based on your most recently filed tax return. If your adjusted family net income crossed a threshold — for example, if household income rose from under $70,000 to between $70,000 and $79,999 — your co-payment increases for the new benefit year.
| Adjusted Family Net Income | Co-Payment |
|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 0% (fully covered for CDCP fees) |
| $70,000 to $79,999 | 40% |
| $80,000 to $89,999 | 60% |
| $90,000 or more | Not eligible |
Note: Even at 0% co-payment, you may owe money if your dentist charges above the CDCP Dental Benefit Grid fee for a procedure. See CDCP coverage details for more on balance billing.
Key 2026 updates: crown limits and fee grid
Two coverage rules introduced for the 2025-2026 benefit year remain in effect for 2026-2027:
- Crown frequency limits: A maximum of 4 crowns per 10 years per member, and no more than 1 crown every 8 years on the same tooth.
- Mandatory preauthorization: Complex restorations exceeding frequency caps or costing above a threshold require pre-approval from Sun Life before the procedure is performed.
- Annual fee grid update: CDCP established fees are updated each July 1. Your co-pay and any balance billing are calculated based on the fee in effect at the date of service, not the date of the estimate or preauthorization.
What happens if you miss the renewal deadline
If you do not renew before June 1, your coverage ends June 30. You can re-apply as a new applicant for the 2026-2027 benefit year (applications are open year-round), but:
- There will be a gap between June 30 and the date your new application is approved.
- Any dental care received during the gap is not covered and will not be reimbursed.
- Your new approval letter will show a new benefit start date going forward.
To minimize treatment disruption, complete or schedule any planned dental work before June 30 if you are uncertain your renewal will be approved in time.
After renewal: check your status
Log into MSCA or use the online status checker to confirm your renewal was processed. Your status will show "Under review," "Approved," or "Not eligible." You can also call 1-833-537-4342 or contact Sun Life at 1-888-888-8110.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to renew CDCP every year?
When does CDCP renewal open for the 2027-2028 benefit year?
What happens if I miss the CDCP renewal deadline?
What documents do I need to renew CDCP?
How do I know if my T4 or T4A shows I have dental coverage?
What if my income went up and I crossed a CDCP co-pay tier?
This page summarizes publicly available Government of Canada CDCP program information for research and planning purposes. Real Dental Costs is an independent data publisher not affiliated with the Government of Canada or Sun Life Financial. For official guidance, visit canada.ca/dental or call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342.
Independent dental pricing research — figures verified against provincial suggested-fee guides (ODA, ACDQ, BCDA, etc.) and the CDCP coverage rules published on canada.ca. Pricing/market research, not medical or dental advice.