Health Canada made an error and approved dental coverage for thousands. Here's what happens next

Tens of thousands of people who received dental care courtesy of the federal government’s highly touted plan were not eligible, Health Canada announced Tuesday.

The agency said that while the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has helped more than 5.5 million people access services they needed but weren’t receiving, it recently identified an internal error in how applicant income was calculated, which led to services being paid for that should not have been covered.

“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 said in a press release explaining the gaffe.

“A system fix has already been implemented to correct this error.”

Here’s what you need to know.

Health Canada said a mistake in its system led to roughly 70,000 people — which only represents around one per cent of all CDCP active members — being found ineligible or having their income “assessed at an incorrect co-payment level.”

Under the plan, some members may be required to pay for part of their dental bill based on their adjusted family net income.

“As of October 3, approximately 28,000 of these members received dental care,” Health Canada said.

The agency did not provide a dollar value to the benefits that were paid, but National Post has contacted them for more information.

Health Canada said those people won’t have to repay Ottawa for the co-pay difference, “nor any amounts covered by the CDCP for dental care received prior to October 24, 2025.”

The government has already started contacting people to let them know about the mistake and the changes to their CDCP coverage effective that date.

The agency said member eligibility may change during a benefit period ( July 1 to June 30 annually), so it’s important for both the beneficiaries and service providers to “validate coverage under the plan at each visit and before providing and billing for services or treatments.”

It recommends that members without a My Service Canada Account create one so they can receive timely communication about their CDCP account.

Those without access to the internet can contact Service Canada’s CDCP line at 1-833-537-4342 or visit one of its offices.

Since being launched in May 2024, more than three million Canadians have already received care, saving on average $800 annually, according to Health Canada.

Originally prioritizing seniors, children and people with disabilities, the program was expanded in May to include all remaining eligible adults aged 18 to 64.

The national plan, administered by third-party insurance provider Sun Life, subsidizes dental care for residents without access to dental insurance and who have an adjusted family net income under $90,000 annually. Ottawa calculates that figure by combining an applicant’s income minus deductions with that of their spouse or common law partner and subtracting any benefits paid through the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) and Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).

• Canada's dental care plan rejected half of the requests for complex work. Here's why
• The federal dental care plan has expanded. Here’s how you can get access

Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.