Renewing Your Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) Coverage

Why Annual Renewal Is Required

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) isn’t a one-and-done benefit – it requires yearly renewal. This annual check-in confirms that you still meet the eligibility criteria (such as income level and no access to dental insurance). Think of it like renewing an insurance policy each year. By renewing on time, you ensure your dental coverage continues without interruption into the next benefit period. Failing to renew means your CDCP coverage will expire, and you will have to pay out of pocket. In short, renewing is essential to avoid losing your dental benefits.

CDCP Renewal Methods: How to Renew Your Canadian Dental Benefit Coverage

You have several options to renew your CDCP coverage:

• Online via Canada.ca: The fastest way is to use the online renewal portal. Visit the CDCP renewal page and use the “Renew your coverage” tool. You can also log in through your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) – once signed in, find the “Canadian Dental Care Plan” section on your dashboard and select “Renew my coverage”. (If you don’t have an MSCA account yet, you can register for one at canada.ca.) The online process will walk you through confirming/updating your info and submitting the renewal. Tip: Use a modern web browser and enable cookies/JavaScript to avoid technical issues.
• By phone: You can renew by calling the CDCP Service Canada line at 1-833-537-4342. A representative can take your renewal information over the phone. Teletypewriter (TTY) is available at 1-833-677-6262 for those with hearing impairments. Have your SIN and CDCP client number handy when you call.
• In person at Service Canada: For face-to-face assistance, you can visit a local Service Canada Centre. Staff there can help you with the renewal application. This might be useful if you have questions or need help with the online form – think of it as getting in-person guidance to complete the same renewal process. (Bring your ID and necessary information with you.)
• By mail (if applicable): In some cases, the government mails out a renewal form or letter, which you can fill out and mail back. If you received a renewal form in the mail, you can complete it and send it in. Be sure to mail it well before the deadline so it arrives in time. (Mail delays can happen, so don’t wait until the last minute.) If you didn’t get a form, you should use one of the methods above instead – you don’t need a paper form to renew if you file online or by phone.
• Having someone assist you: It’s OK to ask for help. If you have a trusted friend or family member, they can help you by phone with your renewal. You’ll need to give clear consent, confirming that you agree to have them speak on your behalf. For a more formal arrangement, a legal representative (such as someone with power of attorney) can act as your authorized delegate to renew for you. Delegates must first provide documentation proving their authority (e.g. power of attorney documents) by mail or at a Service Canada office before they can proceed. Once the paperwork is processed and approved, the delegate will be contacted and can complete the renewal on your behalf. (Note: These extra steps are only needed if someone else is legally renewing for you. In most cases, individuals renew on their own or with a simple helping hand via phone.)

Key Deadlines and Coverage Periods

Mark your calendar: the renewal deadline each year is June 1, which gives people time to submit their taxes for the previous year and receive their Notice of Assessment. Submitting your renewal by this date guarantees your coverage continues without a gap into the next benefit period. The CDCP benefit year runs from July 1 to June 30 – for example, coverage after a 2025 renewal would extend up to June 30, 2026. Here’s what to keep in mind regarding timelines:

• Renew by June 1 to avoid gaps: You needed to renew by June 1 of each year, to ensure uninterrupted coverage. Meeting the deadline means your new coverage takes effect immediately once the current period ends, so you won’t notice any break in your benefits.
• Coverage grace period (end of June): What if you miss that June 1 deadline? The good news is your initial coverage doesn’t end that very day. Coverage from your previous enrollment remains until June 30 of the current year.
• If you miss the deadline: Failing to renew by June 1 can have consequences. Your CDCP coverage will end on June 30, and on July 1, you will no longer have dental coverage under the plan. You can still renew after the deadline (there’s no hard cutoff preventing late renewal), but any dental services you receive during the lapse (after June 30 until your new coverage kicks in) will not be covered or reimbursed https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/renew.html. In other words, you’ll be uninsured during that gap – if you go to the dentist during that time, you’d have to pay out of pocket. Once you do submit a late renewal, and it’s approved, you’ll be informed of your new coverage start date going forward. (Expect that new start date to be sometime after your application is processed – it won’t be retroactive to July 1). 
• Annual Renewal Window: The renewal process opens in the spring to give participants enough time to file their taxes and complete the renewal before the deadline. You can likely expect the renewal window each year to span from around March through the deadline in late May/June. Bottom line: don’t wait until the last minute. As soon as you have what you need (see next section), it’s wise to renew. Early renewal = peace of mind that your coverage will continue.

What You Need to Renew CDCP Coverage (Documents & Info)

To renew your CDCP coverage, you need to confirm or update key personal information to verify your eligibility. Make sure you have or know the following when renewing:

• Filed Tax Return for the Previous Year – This isn’t something you “provide” to the renewal application, but it’s a critical prerequisite. You and your spouse or common law partner (if applicable) must have filed your income tax return for the previous year and received your Notice of Assessment (NOA) before renewing. The CDCP uses your latest tax info to verify your household income. You won’t need to upload the NOA document in most cases – the system checks your income eligibility internally via your SIN – but you cannot renew without having a current NOA on file. So, make sure you’ve done your taxes; otherwise, your renewal can’t be completed or approved.
• Social Insurance Number (SIN) – Your SIN is used to verify your identity and to confirm your tax information for income eligibility. For children on your plan who don’t have a SIN, the system will use their name and date of birth for verification (source: canada.ca).
• CDCP Client Number – This is your unique number for the dental plan (different from your SIN). It’s printed on the renewal letter you received from Service Canada (look at the top/right corner) or on your CDCP welcome materials. Have this handy; it helps link your renewal to your existing file.
• Current Address (mailing and home) – You’ll confirm your address as part of renewal. If you’ve moved since you first applied, be sure to update your address so your correspondence (like the determination letter) goes to the right place.
• Marital Status – If applicable, you may be asked to confirm or update your marital status. This matters because if you have a spouse/common-law partner, their income info (and tax filing) is also considered in your adjusted family net income.
• Contact Info – Your phone number and email address on file should be up to date. This is so the program can reach you if needed (and possibly to send electronic updates if you’ve agreed to that).
• Any Other Dental Coverage (if applicable) – The renewal will ask if you have additional dental coverage through government social programs. This could include things like provincial dental programs for low-income individuals, etc.
• In summary, the purpose of the renewal process is to confirm that members continue to be eligible for the benefit. You are not typically required to submit additional documents like proof of income because eligibility is verified through your tax records. The exception is if someone is applying on your behalf (delegate) – then those legal proof documents are needed as described earlier. For most people, having the above information ready will make the renewal quick and easy. 

After You Submit your CDCP Renewal Request: What to Expect

Once you’ve submitted your renewal request, here’s what happens next:

• Application processing: Service Canada will review your renewal application to ensure you still qualify. They’ll verify your income (via CRA) and confirm you meet all CDCP eligibility criteria. If everything is in order and you meet the requirements, they will approve your renewal.
• Determination letter: After processing, you will receive an official letter (by mail, and accessible in your MSCA account if you are signed up for electronic communications) with the results of your renewal. This determination letter will state whether you continue to be eligible for the CDCP in the new period. Think of it as your renewal confirmation. If you’re still eligible, the letter will include details about your updated coverage:
  • Coverage start date: The letter will specify the effective date when your renewed coverage begins. If you met the renewal deadline, this would likely be July 1 of the current year, the day after your previous coverage ended. If you renewed late, the start date might be later. Important: dental visits and treatment received before the coverage start date will not be covered. If you miss the deadline but eventually renew, your coverage will not retroactively cover the period between June 30th and your new coverage start date.
  • Coverage end date: CDCP coverage is valid up to June 30th each year. With a successful current-year renewal, you will be covered until June 30 of the next year. You’d then renew again the next spring for the following year. Even those who renewed late and started the new coverage period late will be covered until June 30 the following year.
  • Co-Payment Level: The plan sometimes requires members to pay a portion of covered dental costs, depending on income. If your adjusted family net income is under $70,000, the program covers 100% of the CDCP established fees (note: CDCP fee guide is often lower than the provincial fee guide and the amount the practice charges for the service). If your income is between $70,000 and $90,000, you pay a portion of the CDCP established fees (this is the co-payment, which is 40% or 60% of the CDCP fees, depending on your household income). The determination letter will outline any changes to your co-payment level for the new coverage year, if applicable.
• No new card needed: If your renewal is approved and you’re still in the program, you will not receive a new membership card. Your current CDCP member card remains valid. The plan administrator (Sun Life) continues your coverage on the same member ID. So, hang on to that card – you’ll keep using it for dental visits. (New cards were only issued when you first enrolled.) The letter and your existing card together confirm your coverage.
• Inform your dentist: It’s a good idea to bring your new determination letter to your next dental appointment. This letter is proof of your continued coverage, and it tells your provider if your co-pay or coverage level has changed. Show it to the dental office staff so they know how much of your visit should be billed to the CDCP versus to you. This helps avoid any unexpected charges or confusion about what’s covered.
• If you’re no longer eligible: If the renewal review finds that you no longer qualify, the letter will explain that your coverage is ending. Common reasons for losing eligibility include your income now exceeding the limit (adjusted family net income over $90,000) or you now have private dental insurance or coverage through another plan. If you become ineligible, you would be responsible for your own dental costs going forward, or until you become eligible again (for example, if your situation changes in the future). If you believe it’s a mistake or have questions, you can contact the CDCP call centre for clarification.

In summary, after renewing you’ll either get a “yes, you’re renewed” letter with new coverage details, or a notice that you’re no longer eligible (with coverage ending). If renewed, the transition should be seamless as long as you met the timelines – you just keep using your coverage into the next year. Always read your letter carefully and keep it for your records.

How Long Does CDCP Renewal Take?

The government hasn’t published a specific turnaround time for CDCP renewals, but based on experience and initial application timelines, you should expect it to take at least several weeks for processing. It’s not instantaneous, so plan accordingly:

• If you renewed before June 1 and still qualify, you should not see a coverage gap. Issues with the renewal submission, such as inconsistent information, can cause delays.
• If you missed the deadline and apply late (in June or later), your coverage will lapse after June 30, and your new coverage won’t begin until your late renewal is processed and approved. The wait in this scenario could be longer (depending on when you apply and how quickly they verify your info). You will be informed of your new start date once approved, and unfortunately, you’ll have to pay for any dental care in between.
• The volume of applications can affect wait times. While waiting for your renewal to be processed, you can still check the status (see next section). The key takeaway is to renew as early as possible once you have your Notice of Assessment. That gives plenty of buffer for any processing delays. If you haven’t heard back and July is approaching, use the status tools or call the contact center to get an update. Typically, you should have your renewal confirmation letter within a few weeks of applying.

Checking Your CDCP Renewal Status

Wondering “Has my CDCP renewal been approved yet?” There are ways to find out the status of your CDCP renewal application:

• Online Status Checker: There is a CDCP status checker tool available on the Canada.ca site. You can use it to see the status of your renewal for yourself and any dependents on your plan. To use the online status checker, you will need to input:
  • Your CDCP member number
  • Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) – for an adult applicant. (If you are checking the status of a child’s renewal and the child doesn’t have a SIN, the tool will prompt you to enter the child’s name and date of birth instead.)
  Once you enter that info, the tool will display the current status of the application (for example, “in progress”, “approved on [date]”, etc., or if additional info is needed).
• By Phone – Automated Status Line: You can also check status by phone through an automated system. Call 1-833-537-4342 (the main CDCP number). This system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can call anytime that’s convenient. It will ask for identifying info and then provide a status update for you.
• By Phone – Live Representative: If the online or automated options aren’t giving you the info you need, or if you prefer speaking to a person, you can call the same number and press the option to speak with a representative. They can look up your file and tell you the status, as well as answer any questions you have about your renewal. Keep in mind hold times may be longer during peak periods.
• TTY Service: For those who are hearing-impaired or require TTY, there is a TTY line at 1-833-677-6262.

Using these status check methods can give you peace of mind that your application is moving along. For example, if it says approved and you haven’t received your letter yet, you at least know you’ll be covered. Or if it’s still in progress, you’ll know to maybe follow up if it’s been a while. Pro tip: If you renewed online through MSCA, you can also log back into MSCA – in the CDCP section, you should be able to see any new letters or status updates there (they post your letters in your account).

If you are checking your application status and find it approved, make sure you also check your coverage start date.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about CDCP Renewal

Q: Do I need to renew my CDCP coverage every year?
A: Yes. If you’re covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan, it’s an annual program and you must renew each year to maintain coverage. The government requires this yearly renewal to confirm you still qualify.

Q: I didn’t get a renewal letter in the mail – what should I do?
A: Don’t worry, you don’t have to wait for a letter to renew. You can go ahead and renew as long as you have your Notice of Assessment and personal information ready. If you didn’t receive a letter, it could be due to an outdated address or it may still be on its way. If you’re unsure about how to proceed, call the CDCP contact centre for guidance.

Q: What if I miss the June 1 renewal deadline? Can I still renew later?
A: You can still submit a renewal application after the deadline. If you missed the June 1 deadline, your existing coverage will expire on June 30 of that year. You won’t have CDCP coverage starting July 1 until your renewal is processed and approved. Yes, you can (and should) still send in your renewal as soon as possible – as long as you and your spouse (if applicable) have filed last year’s taxes and meet the criteria, the government will accept your renewal application even past the deadline. However, expect a gap in coverage: any dental care you receive after June 30 and before your renewed coverage takes effect will not be covered or reimbursed by the plan.