Tens of thousands mistakenly approved for dental coverage, Health Canada says

Tens of thousands of people were mistakenly approved for coverage under the public dental insurance program, Health Canada said Tuesday.

Roughly 70,000 people were approved for coverage under the plan but were later deemed ineligible or had been assessed for an incorrect copayment level, a news release from Health Canada said.

Of those who were inaccurately assessed, roughly 28,000 people actually received care under the plan.

“An error was recently discovered with respect to how income was calculated for some applicants, at the time their eligibility … was being determined. A system fix has already been implemented to correct this error,” the statement said.

No repayment required

Those who did receive care will not have to repay the amount covered by the public insurance plan, the statement said.

Health Canada has been touting that more than five million Canadians are covered under the plan, but only about three million have actually accessed coverage.

The national insurance program subsidizes the cost of dental care for Canadian residents with a family net income below $90,000 if they don't have access to a private insurance plan.

The program helps pay for a range of dental work, including cleanings, fillings and dentures. Health Canada says that on average, each patient has had $800 in expenses covered per year.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan began in May 2024 for seniors, then children and Canadians who received the disability tax credit. In May 2025, it expanded to all eligible Canadians.

The massive, multibillion-dollar public insurance program was brought in as a result of the NDP, which propped up the previous Trudeau Liberal minority government for two years in the House of Commons in return for major social programs like dental care.