Canada Dental Benefit Factsheet

Tooth decay is the most common, but preventable, childhood chronic disease both in Canada and around the world. Oral diseases frequently begin in the preschool years, which is why it is so important to establish good oral hygiene behaviours as soon as possible.

The Government of Canada has implemented the Canada Dental Benefit, which is designed to provide some financial support to help families access dental care. With this benefit, families can start addressing some of the basic dental care that their young children need while the Government continues its work to develop a long-term Canadian dental care program.

WHAT is the benefit?

The Canada Dental Benefit provides payments up to $650 per eligible child under 12 years of age. You can apply for a maximum of 2 payments per child.

• $650 if the family's adjusted net income is under $70,000
• $390 if the family's adjusted net income is between $70,000 and $79,999
• $260 if the family's adjusted net income is between $80,000 and $89,999

The benefit can be used for any dental care provided by any regulated dental professional.

WHO can apply?

Parents/Guardians who:

• Have a child under 12 years of age who does not have access to private dental care insurance.
• Have an adjusted family net income under $90,000 per year.
• Have filed last year's income tax return—for more information on how to file a return, visit Canada.ca/doing-your-taxes.
• Receive the Canada Child Benefit for each eligible child.
• Have or will have out of pocket dental care expenses for each eligible child that have not been fully reimbursed under another federal, provincial or territorial government program.

WHEN can you apply?

Parents can now apply for the second benefit period to help pay out of pocket expenses for dental care services received by their eligible child between July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

HOW do you apply?

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) My Account will be the quickest, easiest and most secure way to apply for the Canada Dental Benefit. If you don't have a CRA My Account, you can register at Canada.ca/my-cra-account or call 1-800-715-8836.

You will need to provide information on the dental care visit, including the name of your child's dental care provider(s) and your employer information.

If you apply online and are signed up for CRA direct deposit, you can receive your payment within five business days!

Keep your child's dental receipts for six years in the event CRA contacts you to validate eligibility.

Make sure you have your Social Insurance Number, address, date of birth and a copy of your income tax return from last year.

What if I don't read or speak English or French?

The application portal is only available in English and French. However, if you need help with the application, you can ask an English or French-speaking friend to sit with you while you fill out the application, or have them with you when you call 1-800-715-8836.

If you don't have a friend available to assist with the process, the CRA can arrange to call you back in order to have someone on the line who speaks your language.

Visit Canada.ca/dental for more information, or call 1-800-715-8836