In 2024, Canada launched a national dental insurance plan. Unlike provincial healthcare, the Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is not universal. It covers a broad range of dental services for seniors, children and low income residents across the country. The plan was welcomed by many Canadians but it has caused some confusion for employers – especially US companies hiring in Canada!
In this blog we will demystify the CDCP, explaining what it covers, who it covers, and the big role that private dental insurance still plays in Canada.
What Is the CDCP?
The Canada Dental Care Plan is a national dental healthcare program designed to equalize care access and coverage for children, youth and low-income Canadians. The Canadian dental care plan is funded by federal taxes and administered by Sunlife Insurance.
Provincial Plans
Every province offers some level of partial dental coverage, but eligibility and coverage varies. The CDCP is meant to equalize care levels for uninsured Canadians across the country.
| Province | Coverage |
| Alberta | Partial coverage for medically necessary in-hospital dental surgeries and some medically necessary orthodontic services. Some senior coverage |
| British Columbia | Medically necessary in-hospital dental surgeries and some medically necessary orthodontic services |
| Manitoba | Medically necessary in-hospital dental surgeries and some medically necessary orthodontic services |
| New Brunswick | Medically necessary in-hospital dental surgeries and some medically necessary orthodontic services. Coverage for low-income, uninsured residents via the Health Services Dental Program |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Partial coverage for children, youth, low-income adults, and all other adults |
| Nova Scotia | Basic coverage for children under 14 |
| Ontario | Medically necessary in-hospital dental surgeries and some medically necessary orthodontic services |
| Prince Edward Island | Some coverage for uninsured youth under 17 |
| Quebec | Medically necessary in-hospital dental surgeries and some medically necessary orthodontic servicesRoutine care for children under 10Some coverage for those on social assistance |
| Saskatchewan | Partial coverage for medically necessary in-hospital dental surgeries and some medically necessary orthodontic services |
Who is Eligible for the CDCP?
The CDCP does not provide universal coverage. Instead, coverage is based on income and age. Seniors, children and disabled adults were prioritized with their eligibility window coming early in 2024.
Other low-income Canadian residents can begin registering for the CDCP in 2025.
Low-income newcomers become eligible 12 months after filing their first tax return in Canada.
| Adjusted family net income | CDCP Covers | Worker Covers |
| Lower than $70,000 | 100% of eligible oral health care service costs will be covered at the CDCP established fees. | 0% |
| Between $70,000 and $79,999 | 60% of eligible oral health care service costs will be covered at the CDCP established fees. | 40% |
| Between $80,000 and $89,999 | 40% of eligible oral health care service costs will be covered at the CDCP established fees. | 60% |
Eligible individuals can apply online.
What Does the CDCP Cover?
The CDCP provides full coverage for Canada’s lowest income residents and partial coverage to others. The plan covers a wide range of dental services from preventative care to surgery.
- Preventive services, including scaling (cleaning), polishing, sealants, and fluoride
- Diagnostic services, including examinations and x-rays
- Restorative services, including fillings
- Endodontic services, including root canal treatments
- Prosthodontic services, including complete and partial removable dentures
- Periodontal services, including deep scaling
- Oral surgery services, including extractions
What About Private Dental Insurance?
Private dental insurance plays an important role in Canada. The industry covers two thirds of Canadian residents.
There are two main forms of private dental insurance available in Canada: employer-sponsored and individual. The majority of private dental plans are employer-sponsored, typically covering full-time middle to high-earning employees. Less than half of self-employed individuals have private dental insurance.
Dental insurance is one of the most common and sought after components of an employer benefits plan. Employer sponsored plans can range from basic to extensive coverage, depending on business needs. Employers who hire in competitive talent markets are incentivized to offer broad coverage of employees and their families.
In Canada, employers can elect to cover the plan premiums or split them with employees.
The Role of Employers of Record in Providing Dental Insurance
Employers of Record (EOR) like Canadian Payroll Services help US companies hire in Canada without setting up a local entity – they hire employees on behalf of other companies, onboard them, and provide ongoing payroll and compliance.
On top of that, they help US companies be competitive in the Canadian talent market by providing health and dental insurance and other benefits to worksite employees. EORs provide comprehensive benefit plan options that their clients can choose from, based on their business needs.
EORs take advantage of economies of scale to offer the kind of comprehensive, accessibly priced benefits that most SMBs can’t access. Dental insurance is a key component of the benefit plans that most EORs offer.
Canadian Payroll Services is an EOR focused on helping global employers hire in Canada. We help you hire, onboard and retain top talent anywhere in Canada.
Want to learn more about how we can help?
Contact us today!
