Good news: in most cases, you don’t have to do anything to renew your Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) coverage. The plan is designed to renew automatically each year — as long as you file your taxes on time and remain eligible.
But “automatic” comes with conditions. Miss a step, and your coverage can lapse without warning. Here’s exactly what you need to know to keep your CDCP benefits active year after year.
How CDCP Renewal Works
The CDCP uses your annual tax return to re-verify your eligibility each year. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) shares your income and insurance status with Service Canada after you file. If you still meet all the criteria — no private dental insurance, income under $90,000, Canadian resident — your coverage continues automatically.
You will receive a renewal notice from Sun Life before your coverage period ends. This notice confirms your continued enrollment and any changes to your coverage rate based on your updated income.
Coverage periods run annually. Your specific renewal date depends on when you first enrolled in the plan. Check your Sun Life member portal or your original welcome letter for your exact coverage year-end date.
The One Thing You Must Do: File Your Taxes on Time
This is where most coverage lapses happen.
If you do not file your income tax return by the deadline (typically April 30 for most Canadians), the CRA cannot confirm your continued eligibility. Service Canada will suspend your CDCP coverage until your return is processed and eligibility is re-confirmed.
What happens if your taxes are filed late:
- Your coverage may be suspended mid-year
- Dental claims submitted during the suspension period will be denied
- You can reinstate coverage once your tax return is processed, but there is no backdating — denied claims stay denied
If you typically file late, consider this a strong reason to file on time. Your dental coverage depends on it.
Has My Income Changed? What Happens to My Coverage Rate
Your CDCP coverage rate is reassessed each year based on your most recently filed tax return. If your adjusted family net income has changed, your coverage rate will change too:
| Adjusted Family Net Income | Coverage Rate |
|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 100% |
| $70,000 – $79,999 | 60% |
| $80,000 – $89,999 | 40% |
| $90,000 and over | No longer eligible |
If your income rises above $90,000, you will lose eligibility at renewal. If it drops back down in a future year, you can reapply.
Did I Get Dental Insurance Through Work? You Must Report It
If you have gained access to private dental insurance since you enrolled in CDCP — through a new employer, your spouse’s benefits plan, or any group plan — you are required to notify Service Canada immediately. Failing to report a change in insurance status while collecting CDCP benefits can result in repayment demands.
Call 1-833-537-4342 to report a change in your insurance situation.
What If My CDCP Coverage Lapsed?
If your coverage expired or was suspended, here’s how to get back on track:
- File any outstanding tax returns — this is usually the root cause
- Wait for CRA to process your return — this can take 2–8 weeks for online filing, longer for paper returns
- Check your Sun Life portal for updated coverage status
- Call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342 if your status hasn’t updated after 8 weeks of your return being assessed
If you were suspended and need urgent dental care, call Millrise Dental. We can verify your current Sun Life status before your appointment so there are no surprises at the desk.
Common Renewal Mistakes
Assuming no news is good news. If you don’t receive a Sun Life renewal notice, log into your Sun Life portal to confirm your status rather than assuming you’re still covered.
Missing the tax deadline by a few days. Even a brief lapse in filing can trigger a coverage suspension. Set a calendar reminder for April 30 each year.
Not updating your contact information. If Sun Life sends your renewal notice to an old address or email, you may miss it. Update your contact details in your Sun Life account after any move.
Forgetting about a new group benefit. If your employer adds dental benefits to your package mid-year, you need to report it even if you haven’t enrolled in the employer plan yet. Eligibility is based on access to insurance, not enrollment.
Using Your Renewed CDCP at Millrise Dental
Once your renewal is confirmed, your coverage works the same way it did when you first enrolled. Bring your Sun Life member ID to your appointment and we’ll handle the billing directly with Sun Life for your covered services.
At Millrise Dental, we’re available Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. — so you can book around your schedule. We’re steps from Fish Creek LRT and our team speaks nine languages, including French, Spanish, Hindi, Tagalog, and Farsi.
To confirm your coverage before booking or to schedule your next cleaning or exam, call us at 403-254-0406 or book online at millrisedental.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does my CDCP coverage renew? Your renewal date is tied to your original enrollment date. Check your Sun Life member portal or your original welcome letter for your specific coverage year-end date.
Will I get a reminder when it’s time to renew? Sun Life sends a renewal notice before your coverage period ends. To be safe, also confirm your status by logging into your Sun Life portal around your renewal date.
What if I missed the tax deadline — can I still keep my CDCP coverage? File your return as soon as possible. Once the CRA processes it and confirms eligibility, your coverage can be reinstated. However, any dental claims made during the suspension period cannot be backdated.
I moved to Calgary from another province — does my CDCP coverage still work? Yes. CDCP is a federal program and applies nationwide. Moving provinces does not affect your enrollment, but make sure your contact information is updated with Service Canada and Sun Life.
My Sun Life app shows my coverage as “inactive” — what do I do? Call Sun Life at 1-833-537-4342 or log into your MSCA to check your CDCP status. If your tax return has been filed and processed, the issue may be a system delay — give it a few business days and check again.
The Short Version
- CDCP renews automatically — but only if you file your taxes by April 30
- Your coverage rate may change year-to-year based on your income
- Report any new dental insurance coverage to Service Canada immediately
- Check your Sun Life portal if you haven’t received a renewal notice
Need to book a cleaning or exam under your CDCP coverage?
Millrise Dental Clinic #15, 15 Millrise Blvd SW, Calgary, AB T2Y 1X7 📞 403-254-0406 ⏰ Mon–Thu: 7 AM – 7 PM | Fri: 7 AM – 3 PM | Sat: 8 AM – 3 PM
