Canada’s national dental care program has now signed up 5.2 million people, but new data shows almost half of them haven’t yet visited a dentist.
Health Canada says 2.8 million patients have received treatment since the plan launched, while 2.4 million approved participants remain without a dental visit. The figures come six months after the Canadian Dental Care Plan expanded to include adults aged 18 to 64, adding 1.8 million more eligible Canadians. So far, only about a quarter of that newest group has used the program.
One bright spot for the government is participation from providers. Nearly 100 per cent of active dentists, denturists, and independent dental hygienists are now treating patients through the program — a dramatic shift from the initial skepticism many professionals expressed. On average, each patient has had $800 in dental costs covered annually.
The plan, aimed at families with a net income below $90,000 who lack private coverage, pays for services such as cleanings, fillings, and dentures. However, dental offices are allowed to “balance bill,” meaning patients may have to pay out of pocket if providers charge more than the government covers.
Launched in May 2024 for seniors, children, and people eligible for the disability tax credit, the program was expanded nationwide in May 2025. It represents one of the largest social investments in decades and was a key demand of the NDP, which supported the Trudeau minority government in exchange for major social programs like dental care.
Despite the millions enrolled, the challenge now is ensuring Canadians actually make use of the coverage — a hurdle that could determine how effective this multibillion-dollar plan will be in closing the country’s long-standing gap in oral health care.