What is the Canada Dental Benefit?

The Canadian government is investing $13 billion into the CDCP over five years, starting in 2023–24. It estimates that half a million Canadian kids will benefit from the CDB—as of late June, it had received more than 200,000 applications. When the full CDCP is available, up to 9 million uninsured Canadians, including seniors and people with disabilities, could benefit.

“Tooth decay is the most common, but preventable, childhood chronic disease in Canada,” the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) told MoneySense in an email interview. “Oral diseases frequently begin in the preschool years, which is why it is so important to establish good oral hygiene behaviours in those early years. Each year, over 2 million school days are lost due to dental visits or dental sick days. Regular dental appointments are important for a child’s overall life, not just their oral health. By getting access to oral health care early in life, children could avoid problems with eating, speaking or learning. Regular visits to the dentist at that young age would ensure that problems with kids’ teeth are identified early.”

How much is the Canada Dental Benefit?

Here’s how much eligible families will receive for the CDB, according to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). (If you don’t know your adjusted family net income, you can estimate it with this CRA tool.) 

When can you apply for the Canada Dental Benefit?

This interim Canada Dental Benefit has two “benefit periods.” The first one ran from Oct. 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. The application deadline for that period has passed. The second benefit period is now open—parents and guardians can apply for the benefit for kids’ dental care received, or to be received, between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. The CRA administers the CDB—more details on how to apply for the benefit below.

“The Canada Dental Benefit is a significant initiative that has started to bridge the gap for children under 12 that did not otherwise have access to dental care,” according to the Canadian Dental Association. “As it is available for a limited time, we hope that eligible families will take advantage of the CDB and get the help they need before the program expires on June 30, 2024.”

Who can apply for the Canada Dental Benefit?

To submit a Canada Dental Benefit application for the second benefit period (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024), you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Your child was born on or after July 2, 2011.
• You have a receipt for a child receiving dental care in Canada between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.
• Your child isn’t covered by a private dental insurance plan, such as a dental insurance plan or health spending account through your employer (or the employer of your child’s other parent).
• Your child’s dental costs aren’t fully covered by any other federal, provincial, territorial or municipal dental program. (Check before you apply. If it later turns out another program covers the dental costs, know that you will have to repay the CDB.)
• You’re the only parent or caregiver receiving the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for your child as of July 1, 2023, or you have shared custody of your child and you receive half of the CCB for your child as of July 1, 2023.
• You’ve filed your 2022 tax return, and so has your spouse or common-law partner (or you don’t have a spouse or common-law partner as of July 1, 2023). Haven’t filed your 2022 tax return yet? Read our income tax guide.
• Your adjusted family net income in 2022 was less than $90,000.
• No one has applied for the additional payment for your child’s dental costs for the first benefit period (Oct. 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023).

Do you have:
•a child or children under 12?
•a family income under $90,000?
•no access to private dental insurance?

You may be eligible for the #CanadaDentalBenefit. Applications for the second period are now open: https://t.co/J6vphZVFIY pic.twitter.com/jx49zMpzEY

— Health Canada and PHAC (@GovCanHealth) July 25, 2023

How many times can you apply for the Canada Dental Benefit?

During the first benefit period (Oct. 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023), families could apply for the CDB once for each eligible child. They can apply once more for each child in the second period (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024), or twice in the second period if a child did not receive the CDB in the first period. If your child’s dental care costs more than $650 and you only apply for the CDB once during that benefit period, you may be eligible for an additional payment.

What dental services are eligible for the Canada child dental benefit?

Dental care must be provided by regulated dental professionals, including dental hygienists. According to the CRA, oral health services provided by a licensed dentist, denturist or dental hygienist can include:

• Orthodontic services
• Preventative services
• Restorative services
• Diagnostic services
• Oral surgery
• Endodontic services
• Periodontal services
• Prosthodontic services

How to apply for the Canada Dental Benefit

You can apply for the Canada child dental benefit via the Canada Revenue Agency. The fastest way is to use your CRA My Account. If you can’t apply online, you can call the CRA at 1-800-715-8836.

To complete the application, you’ll need the date (or expected date) of your child’s dental appointment; the dental care provider’s name, address and phone number; your employer’s name, address and phone number (if applicable); and your spouse’s or common-law partner’s employer’s name, address and phone number (if applicable).

Once you’ve applied, it will take up to five business days to receive a direct deposit (if you’re set up for this), and 10 to 12 business days to receive a cheque in the mail. Read more about applying for the Canada Dental Benefit.

What about a Canada Dental Benefit for adults and seniors?

So far, the CDB is only available for eligible kids under age 12. Stay tuned for more news about the rollout of Canada’s national dental care plan.

More about budgeting:

• How much is the Canada Child Benefit in 2023?
• When is Canada’s federal budget grocery rebate coming?
• The best credit cards for groceries
• What are climate action incentive payments?
• How to create a monthly budget: A step-by-step guide for Canadians

About Jaclyn Law

Jaclyn Law is MoneySense’s managing editor. She has worked in Canadian media for over 20 years, including editor roles at Chatelaine and Abilities. Jaclyn completed the Canadian Securities Course in 2022.

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