Health Canada announced on Tuesday that tens of thousands of individuals who received dental care through the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) were not eligible for the services. The agency revealed that an internal error in income calculations led to the approval of services that should not have been covered.

The CDCP has successfully assisted over 5.5 million Canadians in accessing necessary dental services. However, Health Canada identified a mistake that affected approximately 70,000 individuals, which is about one percent of all active CDCP members. These individuals were either deemed ineligible or had their income assessed incorrectly, impacting their co-payment levels.

"We are committed to ensuring that publicly funded programs such as the CDCP are administered with integrity, in accordance with the eligibility criteria and with responsible stewardship of public funds," Health Canada stated in a press release. The agency has already implemented a system fix to address the error.

As of October 3, around 28,000 of the affected members had already received dental care. Health Canada did not disclose the total dollar amount of the benefits that were incorrectly paid.

Importantly, those affected will not be required to repay any co-payment differences or amounts covered by the CDCP for dental care received before October 24, 2025. The government has begun notifying individuals about the error and the adjustments to their CDCP coverage.

Health Canada advises that member eligibility can change during the benefit period, which runs from July 1 to June 30 each year. Therefore, it is crucial for beneficiaries and service providers to verify coverage at each visit before providing and billing for services.

The agency recommends that members without a My Service Canada Account create one to receive timely updates regarding their CDCP account. Those lacking internet access can reach out to Service Canada’s CDCP line at 1-833-537-4342 or visit a local office.

Since its launch in May 2024, the CDCP has provided care to over three million Canadians, with an average annual savings of $800 per person. Initially focused on seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities, the program expanded in May to include all eligible adults aged 18 to 64. The national plan, managed by the third-party insurance provider Sun Life, subsidizes dental care for residents without dental insurance who have an adjusted family net income below $90,000 annually. This income is calculated by combining the applicant's income, minus deductions, with that of their spouse or common-law partner, while also accounting for benefits received through the Universal Child Care Benefit and the Registered Disability Savings Plan.