Canadian Forces Dependants’ Dental Care Plan: Updated Guide in 2026

Dental costs for your dependants can add up quickly, but many Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) families do not take full advantage of the Dependants’ Dental Care Plan. Thus, this guide will help you understand who is covered, what services are included, and how to submit claims properly to avoid issues. 

What is the Canadian Forces Dependants’ Dental Care Plan?

The Dental Dependants Coverage Plan (DDCP) is a dental benefit funded by the Treasury Board, designed for eligible spouses and children of Regular Force members and Reserve Force members serving on Class C service. It is part of the Public Service Dental Care Plan (PSDCP), which reimburses for common dental treatments needed to maintain or improve dental health, as long as those treatments follow accepted dental practices.

Canada Life administers this plan under policy number 55777, which must be included on every claim you submit. The government covers the entire cost of this plan, so you do not pay any premiums while you are actively serving.

If you reside in Quebec, employer-paid coverage is considered a taxable benefit and will be reported on your Relevé 1 form. Coverage rules may vary during leave without pay (LWOP), and certain types of LWOP may require members to contribute to maintain their coverage.

Tips: During an extended unpaid leave, if your coverage lapses and you are 65 years or older in Ontario, the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program may provide coverage for routine care.

Note that for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, your own dental care is provided through Canadian Forces Dental Services, as outlined in Queen’s Regulations and Orders (QR&O) 35.04(1), and not through this plan. 

Who is Eligible for the Dependants’ Dental Care Plan Coverage?

If you are a member of the Regular Force or the Reserve Force on Class C service, you are allowed to cover only your eligible dependents under the DDCP, including your eligible spouse and eligible children. 

Eligible Spouse under Canadian Forces Dependants’ Dental Care Plan

An eligible spouse for the Dependants’ Dental Care Plan is defined as either a person who is legally married to you or someone who is living with you in a common-law relationship recognized under the provisions of QR&O 1.075.

If you have both a legal spouse and a common-law partner, you can only cover one of them. During separation, a married spouse may remain covered under the PSDCP; however, a divorced spouse is not eligible for coverage.

Eligible Children under the Canadian Forces Dependants’ Dental Care Plan

Your unmarried children, including adopted, step-children, or foster-children, qualify for coverage under the Plan if they meet one of the following criteria:

• The child is under 21 years old.
• The child is between 21 and 25 years old and is attending an accredited school, college, or university. Note that coverage may be suspended at the end of each academic year and can be reinstated once Canada Life receives proof of re-enrollment. Therefore, claims for dental work completed during the summer may need to wait until coverage is reinstated.
• The child is over 25 years old and was an eligible dependent under the PSDCP when they became unable to maintain self-sustaining employment due to a mental or physical impairment.

These qualifications must apply on the date you become subject to the DDCP. If your child does not meet these requirements, they must have been covered under the DDCP immediately before their 21st birthday. If the child becomes impaired after turning 21, they must have been covered as a student at the time the impairment began.

Additionally, if a child does not meet these criteria but you act as a parent for them, the Canadian Forces Dental Care Board may consider them for coverage. The Board has the authority to determine eligibility in such cases.

Tips: To support your request, you will need to submit documents to the Board, such as a notarized guardianship or caregiving agreement or a notarized voluntary surrender of custody. These documents must demonstrate that the biological parents have relinquished parental responsibility. The Board will also assess your financial responsibility for the child.

What Dental Services are Covered under DDCP?

Services covered under DDCP are categorized into 4 groups: 

• Preventive Services: Includes exams, cleanings, X-rays, and fluoride treatments.
• Basic Services: Covers fillings, extractions, and root canals.
• Major Restorative Services: Involves crowns, bridges, and dentures.
• Orthodontic Services: Consists of braces and retainers.

However, each group has specific percentage and frequency rules.

For adults, cleanings and fluoride treatments are covered once every 9 months, while children can receive them every 6 months. However, if you are undergoing cancer treatment, Canada Life can temporarily lift these frequency limits provided you are notified in advance. Regardless, it is a good idea to check the date of your last appointment with your dentist before scheduling your next visit.

Starting January 1, 2025, the enhanced PSDCP will also include tomography (including cone-beam CT scans) and anesthesia for oral surgery. Anesthesia coverage will also extend to other eligible procedures if there is a documented mental health condition or developmental disorder. Additionally, pit and fissure sealants will now be available to patients of any age.

Pro tip: If a treatment is not covered or you reach a frequency limit, request a cost estimate before proceeding. This way, you will know your reimbursement amount and can plan for any out-of-pocket expenses.

How Dependants’ Dental Care Plan Reimbursement is Calculated

The reimbursement plan proceeds as follows: first, determine the eligible amount based on the fee guide; second, subtract the annual deductible; third, apply the coinsurance percentage; and fourth, check against the annual or lifetime maximum.

Here is a detailed guide to calculate DDCP reimbursement:

Step 1: Calculate the Dependants’ Dental Care Plan Deductible

The annual deductible for the PSDCP is $25 for an individual member or $50 for a family, applicable per calendar year. This deductible is deducted from your initial claims each year before the percentage of coverage is applied.

If you pay the deductible between October 1 and December 31, it will roll over to the following year, so you will not be charged a new deductible. For instance, if you have not yet met your deductible, a cleaning appointment in December can count toward next year’s deductible.

Step 2: Calculate the Reimbursement Percentages by Service Type

The PSDCP provides coverage as follows: 90% for eligible preventive and basic dental services, 65% for eligible major restorative services, and 50% for eligible orthodontic services. You are the co-payer responsible for paying the remaining amount. Plus, starting January 1, 2025, the coverage percentage for eligible major restorative services such as crowns, inlays, onlays, dentures, and bridges will be 65%. 

Step 3: Determine Fee Guide Cap, Reasonable, and Customary

Claims are reimbursed based on the dental fee guide from the previous year for the province or territory where the services are provided.

You are responsible for any amount not reimbursed by the PSDCP including situations where the dental provider charges more for a specific service or procedure than what is listed in the applicable dental fee guide. Plan members must also cover all ineligible expenses that exceed the previous year’s dental fee guide or services that are not covered due to exceptions or plan limitations.

For example, if your dentist charges $1,200 for a crown but the 2025 fee guide states that the eligible amount is $1,000, the plan will calculate reimbursement based on $1,000. You will be responsible for paying the $200 difference and your co-payment.

Step 4: Calculate the Maximums, Annual, Lifetime Orthodontics

From January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026, the maximum reimbursement for combined preventive, basic, and major restorative treatments is $3,000 per year. This amount will increase to $3,250 starting January 1, 2027.

For orthodontic treatment, the lifetime maximum is also $3,000 per person from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026, increasing to $3,250 on January 1, 2027.

If your coverage starts between July 1 and December 31, you can only get reimbursed up to 50% of the annual limit for that calendar year. In 2025 and 2026, this amounts to a maximum of $1,500 for your first partial year. The full annual limit will be available the following year.

How to Submit a Claim for Dependants’ Dental Care Plan

Most dentists can submit your claim directly to Canada Life on your behalf. Just bring your PSDCP benefit card, which contains your plan and certificate numbers. Once your claim is submitted, it will be processed promptly, and you will receive any reimbursement through direct deposit or a cheque.

Here is a step-by-step guide to claiming benefits under the CF Dependants’ Dental Care Plan:

Step 1: Enroll in the CAF Dependants Dental Care Plan

To enroll in the DDCP, you need to go through your Unit Orderly Room; you cannot enroll directly with Canada Life. Your unit will record your participation in the Human Resources Management System (HRMS), and the system will notify the insurer.

Once you are enrolled, you will use your Service Number as your Plan Participant Identification Number. The plan policy number is 55777, and this number must be included on any claims submitted to Canada Life.

Note: CAF Primary Reserve Members must complete paper claim forms that include the appropriate unit orderly room stamp, which the Reservist submits to Canada Life.

Step 2: Complete the Dependants’ Dental Care Plan Claim Form

To file your claim, you will need the following information: 

• Plan number: 55777  
• Your Service Number (this is your ID number)  
• Your full name  
• Your address, including postal code  
• Itemized receipts that show procedure codes and dates 

Ensure your dentist completes their section of the claim form. For paper claims, fill out the form with your information. Make sure the dental provider section is completed, and sign the claim as the plan participant before mailing or submitting it.

Because incomplete claims will be returned, causing processing delays, so do not forget to include all invoices and receipts with complete details of services provided. For orthodontic treatment, attach the treatment plan from the orthodontist.

Step 3: Mail to the Correct Office

To ensure a smooth submission process, provide the completed claim form from your dental provider along with the original supporting documents. After that, you should send your claim in three ways:

1. Your dental provider can submit the claim electronically.

2. You can submit the claim online through your PSDCP/Canada Life account.

3. You can mail the completed claim form and original documents to the following address:

Winnipeg Benefit Payments  

PO Box 6025 Station Main  

Winnipeg, MB R3C 3C7.

Why do DDCP Claims Get Denied?

The most common reasons for claim denials include unconfirmed eligibility, an inactive administrative file, exceeding the frequency limit, going over the fee guide cap, or late submission. Below are detailed explanations for each reason:

Eligibility denial 

This can occur if a dependent is not recorded in HRMS or if a child over 21 is not listed as a student. Therefore, you need to confirm with your unit that the dependent is enrolled and ensure the effective date is correct.

Admin file not active

This happens when monthly HRMS updates have not yet been sent to Canada Life. To fix this, allow time after enrollment for the monthly update and check with your orderly room before scheduling major procedures.

Frequency limit

If dental cleaning or exams are requested too soon, the claim may be denied. Ask your dentist to confirm your next eligible date before scheduling an appointment.

Late submission

Claims submitted after 15 months are considered late. As a result, if your submission is between 15 and 24 months late, provide evidence that it was impossible to submit earlier. After 24 months, no payment will be issued unless there is a legal incapacity.

The Bottom Line

Here are the key takeaways you need to know about the Canadian Forces Dependants’ Dental Care Plan:

• Coverage starts after 3 months of service; new dependants are covered immediately.
• The plan covers 90% of preventive and basic services, 65% of major services, and 50% of orthodontic services (with a co-payment).
• There is a $1,700 annual limit per person and a $2,500 lifetime cap for orthodontics.
• Claims must be submitted to Canada Life within 15 months of the expense.
• Enroll through your Unit Orderly Room using your Service Number as ID.

To maximize your reimbursement, it’s important to understand the specific rules associated with this plan. Members become eligible to enroll in this voluntary plan after serving in the Canadian Forces for three months, through their unit’s orderly room.

FAQs about Canadian Forces Dependants’ Dental Care Plan

Disclaimer: This article provides an overview of the general rules for the CAF Dependants (DDCP). Coverage is based on your eligibility, plan limits, and the relevant fee guide. To ensure you have accurate information for your specific situation, please review the article sources and consult with Canada Life before commencing any treatment, especially for services that cost $300 or more.