Health Canada Issues Statement on Dental Care Plan Error Affecting 70,000 Canadians

Health Canada has confirmed an error in income calculation for a small number of applicants under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), impacting about 1% of active members. The issue has since been corrected, and affected individuals are being notified.

Health Canada has acknowledged a technical error in the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) that incorrectly assessed eligibility and co-payment levels for a small group of participants.

In a statement released today, the department said the issue affected approximately 70,000 Canadians — about 1% of active CDCP members — due to a miscalculation in how income was determined during the eligibility process. The government has since implemented a system fix to prevent further errors.

“As a result of this correction, around 28,000 of the affected individuals have already received dental care under the plan,” Health Canada said. “Starting October 17, the Government of Canada began notifying impacted individuals of changes to their CDCP coverage, which will take effect on October 24, 2025.”

Health Canada emphasized that no one will be required to repay any benefits or co-payment differences for dental care received before that date.

The CDCP — designed to improve affordability and access to dental services across Canada — currently covers more than 5.5 million Canadians. Over 3 million have already received care, saving an average of $800 annually, according to government data.

Health Canada reiterated its commitment to administering the plan “with integrity and responsible stewardship of public funds.”

The department also advised CDCP members to regularly verify their eligibility, as it can change during a benefit period. Oral health providers were similarly urged to confirm coverage before delivering and billing for services.

Individuals affected by the adjustment or seeking further information are encouraged to create a My Service Canada Account (MSCA) for updates, or contact Service Canada’s CDCP line at 1-833-537-4342, or visit a Service Canada Centre.