CDCP members need to renew every year to confirm they still meet the eligibility requirements. As of October 2026, the Government of Canada says the most recent renewal period closed on June 1, 2026, and that renewals for the 2027-2028 benefit period will open in spring 2027. If you missed it, you can submit a new application instead, through My Service Canada Account (details below). If you did renew, nothing is open to complete right now, so check the official renewal page again in spring 2027.
This guide is for current members and for anyone who has just found out their coverage lapsed. It explains, in plain language, what the Government of Canada says about renewing, what to prepare, what happens if you miss the window and what to check before your next dental visit. It reflects the official CDCP pages as we read them in October 2026, and details can change, so always confirm on the official site.
Where Renewal Stands Right Now
The CDCP provides coverage over a single benefit period that ends each year on June 30, according to the Government of Canada’s renewal page. Members must renew every year to confirm they still meet the eligibility requirements. The page currently says:
- The renewal period closed on June 1, 2026.
- Renewals for the 2027-2028 benefit period will open in spring 2027.
- If you missed the renewal period, you can submit a new application, but there will be a gap in your coverage until the new application is approved.
Because no exact opening date for 2027 has been published on that page, check it again in the spring rather than relying on a date from a third party.
Who Needs to Renew
Anyone who is a CDCP member needs to renew each year. Eligibility is reviewed again at renewal, and you must meet all four eligibility requirements to renew. Service Canada, not a dental office, decides who is eligible. For the requirements in full, use the Government of Canada’s CDCP overview. Our own CDCP information page gives a summary of how the plan works at our office.
What You Need to Renew
The Government of Canada says you will need to confirm or update the following for each applicant. This includes yourself, your dependants and your spouse or common-law partner, if applicable:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN), if available for children
- Date of birth
- Full name
- Home and mailing addresses
- A list of dental coverage through government social programs, if applicable
You and your spouse or common-law partner also must have filed your tax return in Canada for the previous year and have received your notice of assessment in order to renew. Your spouse or common-law partner must submit their own renewal to be covered under the CDCP. The information you provide about them is used to confirm your marital status, calculate your adjusted family net income and verify that you do not have access to private dental insurance or coverage through a spouse or partner.
Gathering these items ahead of time can make the process easier, and filing your taxes each year is part of staying eligible.
How Renewal Works
When the renewal period is open, the Government of Canada lists the option to renew your CDCP coverage in the “Canadian Dental Care Plan” section of the My Service Canada Account (MSCA) dashboard. That option currently shows as closed. In that same section, you can view your CDCP letters, view and update your personal information and contact details, update your access to other dental benefits, and choose “digital” communications to receive notices by email. You can also contact Service Canada by phone to update your personal information.
The Government of Canada’s renewal page describes these tools in My Service Canada Account and the status checker:
- Register for or sign in to My Service Canada Account, then go to the “Canadian Dental Care Plan” section of your dashboard.
- Make sure your information stays accurate, including your contact information.
- Look for your CDCP letters in the same section of your dashboard.
- After you renew, check the status of your renewal with the online status checker or by phone.
Beware of Scams
The Government of Canada states that there is no fee to apply or renew your coverage for the CDCP. It warns about scams sent by mail, phone calls, text messages or emails that ask for personal, banking or credit card information, and about ads and pop-ups that are not from official Government of Canada websites. If a message about renewing your dental plan asks for payment, do not respond to it. Go to Canada.ca yourself and contact the program using the information there.
After You Renew: Checking Your Status
The Government of Canada says you can check the status of your renewal, for yourself and your dependants, using the online status checker or by phone. You will need the following for each person you are checking:
- An application code or client number (member ID), which may be on your CDCP letter from Service Canada or on the front of your CDCP member card
- A Social Insurance Number or, for a child without one, the child’s full name and date of birth
You can also review your plan details, view your claims history and download a printable member card through your my Sun Life online account. Oral health providers bill Sun Life directly for services covered under the plan.
What If You Missed the Renewal Period?
The Government of Canada says that if you had coverage for the 2025-2026 benefit period and did not renew by June 1, 2026, you can submit a new application for the 2026-2027 benefit period, but there will be a gap in coverage. Any dental care received during the gap will not be covered or reimbursed retroactively. According to the Government of Canada’s application page, you can apply through My Service Canada Account or, if you cannot use that, through the “Apply using Canada.ca” option. If you cannot use either, you can apply by phone by calling Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342 (TTY 1-833-677-6262).
If you are unsure which situation applies to you, the Government of Canada’s contact page for the CDCP is the right place to ask. We cannot approve, renew or guarantee coverage on your behalf.
Before Your Next Dental Appointment
The Government of Canada recommends that you always check that your CDCP coverage is active before each appointment. When you are discussing services with an oral health provider, it says to:
- Confirm that your provider accepts CDCP clients and will bill Sun Life directly for services covered under the plan.
- Make sure your coverage is active and that you know your co-payment level.
- Ask your provider whether there are other costs you must pay in addition to your co-payment that the plan does not cover.
It also notes that your co-payment level may change when you renew, and that the amount covered is based on the plan rules, fees and co-payment level in effect when you receive the service. For that reason, an estimate you received earlier may differ from what applies today. Our guides to which treatments the CDCP may help cover and what to bring to a CDCP appointment can help you prepare.
When you call us, please have your CDCP member information ready so our team can confirm the steps required for your visit. Coverage follows the program’s rules, and being enrolled does not mean every service is covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I renew my CDCP coverage?
According to the Government of Canada, the most recent renewal period closed on June 1, 2026, and renewals for the 2027-2028 benefit period will open in spring 2027. Check the official renewal page for the current status before you act.
Does it cost anything to renew?
No. The Government of Canada states that there is no fee to apply or renew your CDCP coverage. Be cautious of anyone asking for payment or banking details.
Can the dental office renew my coverage for me?
No. Eligibility and enrolment are handled by Service Canada. A dental office can help you confirm information related to a planned visit, but it cannot approve a renewal or guarantee coverage.
What happens if my coverage lapses?
You can submit a new application, but the Government of Canada says there will be a gap in coverage until it is approved, and care received during the gap will not be covered or reimbursed retroactively. Ask the program how your situation is handled before you schedule non-urgent care.
Do I need to renew if I am not sure I still qualify?
Yes, every CDCP member must renew each year, and you must meet all 4 eligibility requirements to renew. Your adjusted family net income, tax filings and access to private dental insurance are all part of that check. If you are unsure, read the Government of Canada’s CDCP overview or contact the program directly.
Questions About Your Next Visit
If you are a CDCP member and want to know how a visit at Pickering Square Dental works, our team can talk you through it. Read more on our Canadian Dental Care Plan page, or contact us to schedule an appointment. Please have your member information ready when you call (905) 420-1777.
This article is for general information only. It summarizes Government of Canada CDCP information as of October 2026 and is not a coverage decision, a quote or advice about your application. Eligibility and enrolment are determined by Service Canada, and program rules and dates can change. Confirm current details on Canada.ca before you act.
About Dr. Marvin Lean, DDS
Dr. Marvin Lean, DDS, is the owner and lead dentist at Pickering Square Dental. With decades of experience in family and laser dentistry, Dr. Lean provides care focused on clear communication and patient comfort. He is a member of the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) and the Canadian Dental Association (CDA). Dr. Lean and his team provide comprehensive dental care including sedation dentistry, dental implants, emergency dental care, and the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) to patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Scarborough, Oshawa, and Markham. Dr. Lean spent the last 20 years as the Dentist for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
