Health Canada announced on October 21, 2025, that approximately 70,000 Canadians—representing about one percent of active members—were incorrectly approved for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) or assessed at the wrong co-payment level due to a system error in how income was calculated during the eligibility determination process. Of those affected, roughly 28,000 individuals had already received dental care by October 3, 2025, raising questions about program integrity and administrative oversight.​
The federal government confirmed that a system fix has been implemented to correct the error, and impacted individuals began receiving notifications about changes to their coverage starting October 17, with new coverage terms taking effect October 24, 2025. In a significant relief to affected members, Health Canada stated that those who received dental care will not be required to repay the difference in co-payments or any amounts covered by the CDCP for services received before October 24, 2025.​
Understanding the Income Calculation Error
The error stemmed from incorrect income calculations used to determine CDCP eligibility at the application stage. Under the CDCP, eligibility and co-payment levels are based on adjusted family net income, with strict thresholds determining coverage levels.​
The program operates on a sliding scale: families earning under $70,000 annually receive 100 percent coverage of eligible services at CDCP-established fees, those earning between $70,000 and $79,999 receive 60 percent coverage with a 40 percent co-payment, and families earning between $80,000 and $89,999 receive 40 percent coverage with a 60 percent co-payment. Canadians with adjusted family net incomes exceeding $90,000 are ineligible for the program.​
Health Canada did not disclose specific details about what went wrong in the income calculation process, but the error resulted in some individuals being deemed eligible when they should not have qualified, while others were placed in incorrect co-payment brackets. The agency emphasized its commitment to “ensuring that publicly funded programs such as the CDCP are administered with integrity, in accordance with the eligibility criteria and with responsible stewardship of public funds”.​
Government Response and Member Support
Health Canada has urged affected CDCP members to create a My Service Canada Account (MSCA) to receive important communications about their coverage. Members can also contact Service Canada’s CDCP helpline at 1-833-537-4342 or visit a Service Canada Centre for assistance.​
The agency stressed the importance of validating coverage at each dental visit, noting that “Canadians’ eligibility under the CDCP may change over the course of a benefit period” which runs from July 1 to June 30 annually. Both CDCP members and oral health providers are encouraged to verify coverage before providing and billing for services or treatments.​
Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel has previously championed the program as one of the most important social programs in Canadian history. Speaking at an event in early October 2025, Michel stated that the CDCP was “not just about providing financial support but improving lives,” noting that “people suffering with chronic dental pain are now getting treated”.​
Program Scale and Impact
Despite the error affecting 70,000 members, the CDCP continues to serve millions of Canadians. As of October 2, 2025, more than 5.5 million Canadians were covered under the program, with over three million having already received care. The plan saves eligible Canadians an average of $800 per year on healthcare services.​
The CDCP was launched in December 2023, initially prioritizing seniors, children, and people with disabilities. The government expanded applications in May 2025 to eligible Canadians aged 18 to 64, completing the phased rollout to all age groups. The program is administered by third-party insurance provider Sun Life and subsidizes dental care for residents without access to dental insurance who have an adjusted family net income under $90,000 annually.​
More than 98 percent of active dentists, dental hygienists, denturists, and dental specialists have enrolled to provide services under the program, according to Health Canada. However, data shows that nearly half of enrolled members have not yet visited a dentist, which Minister Michel attributed to the program being “still new” and patients having their coverage cards available when they need care.​
Eligibility Verification and Documentation Requirements
To qualify for the CDCP, Canadians must be residents for tax purposes, have filed their tax return for the previous year, have no access to private or public dental insurance, and have an adjusted family net income below $90,000. The adjusted family net income is calculated using information from tax returns, specifically by combining an applicant’s income minus deductions with that of their spouse or common-law partner and subtracting any benefits paid through the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) and Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).​
Dental professionals participating in the CDCP have reported facing audits and clawbacks, particularly for claims submitted during early implementation in May and June 2024, due to unclear guidance. Common issues triggering audits include insufficient documentation to justify treatment, fluoride treatments deemed unnecessary, and missing treatment records.​
Program Challenges and Future Outlook
The income calculation error represents one of several challenges facing the CDCP since its launch. Earlier in 2025, it was reported that the dental care plan rejected approximately 52 percent of requests for complex dental work requiring preauthorization between November 2024 and June 2025. The Canadian Dental Association has voiced concerns about gaps in the national program, warning that discrepancies were “compromising the ability of dentists to provide timely and effective care to patients”.​
Minister Michel confirmed in early October 2025 that the CDCP would be spared from federal spending cuts as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first federal budget, expected in November 2025. The government had requested ministers to find 15 percent savings in day-to-day operational spending, but Michel stated there would be “no reductions to the program as it currently stands”.​
The CDCP was established as a result of the NDP’s support for the previous Trudeau Liberal minority government, which lasted two years in the House of Commons in exchange for significant social programs including dental care. The Liberal election platform pledged to protect public programs like child care, pharmacare, and dental care from budget cuts.​
What Affected Members Should Do
Individuals who received notification letters about changes to their CDCP coverage should carefully review the determination letter to understand their new eligibility status or co-payment level. Those who were deemed ineligible may need to explore alternative dental coverage options, including provincial or territorial dental assistance programs, sliding-scale clinics, or private dental insurance.​
Health Canada emphasized that members should always verify their coverage status before booking appointments, as eligibility can change based on annual income assessments. The program requires annual renewal by June 1 each year to confirm ongoing eligibility based on the most recent tax return information.​
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will affected Canadians have to repay the dental care they received under the error?
A: No. Health Canada confirmed that impacted individuals will not need to repay the difference in co-payment or any amounts covered by the CDCP for dental care received prior to October 24, 2025.​
Q: How many Canadians were affected by the income calculation error?
A: Approximately 70,000 CDCP members, representing about one percent of active members, were either found ineligible or assessed at an incorrect co-payment level. Of these, about 28,000 had already received dental care as of October 3, 2025.​
Q: What caused the Canadian Dental Care Plan error?
A: Health Canada stated that an error was discovered in how income was calculated for some applicants during the eligibility determination process. A system fix has been implemented to correct the error, but specific technical details were not disclosed.​
Q: How can I check if I’m affected by the CDCP error?
A: The Government of Canada began notifying impacted individuals on October 17, 2025, about changes affecting their coverage effective October 24, 2025. Members should create a My Service Canada Account (MSCA) to receive important communications, or call Service Canada’s CDCP line at 1-833-537-4342.​
