The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal initiative designed to help eligible Canadians access essential dental care. Many of our patients at Midland Bay Dental have already started receiving benefits under the CDCP program, and we’re happy to support you in using it to maintain your oral health.

But now, it’s time for a key step: renewing your eligibility. If you or your family members are enrolled in the CDCP, this blog post outlines everything you need to know about the CDCP renewal process, recent updates, and what actions you need to take.

When Is the CDCP Renewal Deadline?

The deadline to renew your eligibility is June 1, 2025.

If your renewal is not completed by that date, your CDCP coverage could be paused or cancelled, which may impact your ability to access dental care through the plan.

What You Need To Do To Keep Your CDCP Dental Coverage – Step-by-Step

Renewing your CDCP program eligibility is simple—but it does require a few important steps. Here’s what you should do:

Step 1: Check Your Mail

Health Canada will be mailing renewal letters to patients who are currently enrolled in the CDCP. This letter contains instructions and possibly a renewal form.

Tip: If you’ve moved recently, make sure your current address is updated with Service Canada to avoid missing important documents.

Step 2: Follow the Instructions in Your Letter

The letter you receive will tell you how to complete the renewal—whether it’s online, by mail, or by phone. Most patients will be asked to confirm their household income and eligibility again.

You may be asked to provide:

• Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Details about your household income
• Confirmation of your current contact information

Step 3: Complete and Submit Before June 1

Make sure you send in your renewal information before the deadline to avoid any interruption in your dental coverage.

If you’re renewing by mail, give yourself enough time for mailing delays. If the process is online or by phone, we recommend doing it as early as possible in case of technical issues.

Why Renewing Matters

Your CDCP dental coverage is not permanent—it’s tied to your eligibility status, such as income level and other criteria set by Health Canada. If you do not renew in time:

• Your CDCP dental coverage could be cancelled
• You may be responsible for the full cost of dental treatment
• Your claims could be denied, even for appointments already scheduled

Renewing ensures that you can continue receiving dental care with financial support, and we can help you plan treatments accordingly.

Have You Received a Cancellation Letter or Claim Explanation?

Some patients have reported receiving letters from Health Canada stating that their CDCP coverage has been cancelled or from Sun Life (the insurance partner administering CDCP claims) explaining why a claim was denied.

If you receive one of these letters and you’re unsure what it means:

• Don’t panic!
• Bring the letter to your next appointment or call our office—we’ll do our best to help clarify.
• You can also email the Ontario Dental Association at: cdcpinquiries@oda.ca to help them advocate for improvements to the program.

Recent Changes to the CDCP Program and Technical Issues

We also want to keep you informed about some behind-the-scenes updates to how CDCP program pre-approvals are processed:

• Some dental procedures (like scaling, which is part of regular cleaning) require preauthorization if they exceed a certain number of visits.
• A technical issue with the electronic system used by dentists to send these approvals has caused some requests to be declined automatically.
• To prevent delays, we’re now submitting these preauthorization requests by mail when needed.

What does this mean for you?

There may be longer wait times for approval of certain treatments, especially if they are more frequent or complex. Rest assured, we’re doing everything we can to reduce delays and keep you informed throughout the process.

How Midland Bay Dental Can Help

We know paperwork and government forms can be confusing. At Midland Bay Dental, we’re here to:

• Explain your coverage under the CDCP
• Assist with preauthorization and treatment planning
• Help you understand renewal letters or claim notices

Just give us a call or bring any documents to your appointment—we’ll walk you through it.

Renew your CDCP Eligibility for Peace of Mind

The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a step toward making dental care more affordable and accessible. But like any new program, it comes with some growing pains. Renewing your eligibility by June 1 is the best way to ensure you stay covered and can continue receiving the care you need.

If you have any questions about your CDCP coverage, need help understanding your renewal letter, or want to check on upcoming appointments, we’re just a phone call away.

Contact Midland Bay Dental to book an appointment online or call us at (705) 526-6441.

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