On October 6, 2026, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) called for a stronger focus on prevention in the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Drawing on a January 2026 survey of 1,543 dental hygienists, the association reported that the plan is bringing long-absent patients back into care, and it reported limits on scaling and root planing and preauthorization challenges for dental hygiene care, along with patient confusion about costs.
The CDHA statement responds to the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) report From Coverage to Care: An Evidence-Informed Assessment of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). The hygienists' association says it agrees with the CDA that the CDCP has significantly improved access to oral health care for Canadians. Its message is about what comes next: the program, in CDHA's view, should put more weight on prevention, education and early intervention.
As of October 2026, for Ontario practices that book CDCP patients into hygiene, from downtown Toronto to Brampton, Scarborough and Markham, the concerns CDHA raises about scaling limits, preauthorization and out-of-pocket surprises are directly relevant.
What did the CDHA survey find?
CDHA surveyed 1,543 dental hygienists in January 2026. According to the association:
- Nearly 80% of respondents reported increased patient access to care through the CDCP.
- Almost half said many of their CDCP patients had not received oral health care in more than five years, or had never accessed care before.
- Almost half described preauthorization requirements as very demanding.
- More than three-quarters reported that patients mistakenly believed the CDCP would provide completely free care.
Respondents also frequently cited limits on scaling and root planing, restrictions on preventive benefits, and challenges with preauthorization for clinically necessary dental hygiene care. Many reported delays or difficulties getting approval for additional services despite documented clinical evidence.
"Dental hygienists are seeing Canadians return to oral health care after years without access," said CDHA President Wendy Wells. "As the program evolves, prevention, education, and early interventions should be key priorities."
How do Canadians view the program?
CDHA also cited public opinion research conducted by Abacus Data. The release reports strong public support for the plan and positive reports from people using it.
What is CDHA recommending?
CDHA says the CDA report highlights shared concerns about administration, affordability and workforce planning. Its own survey identified preventive oral health services as a crucial consideration for the program's ongoing development. The association recommends broader coverage for evidence-informed preventive services, including:
- Recognition of dental hygienists' examinations as distinct from the annual examination limits applied to patients.
- Enhanced periodontal disease prevention and maintenance services, including scaling and root planing.
- Personalized oral health education and behaviour-change support.
- Oral health promotion counselling related to tobacco use, nutrition, xerostomia, diabetes and other chronic health conditions.
"Oral health education and prevention are among the most effective investments we can make for better health outcomes," Wells said. CDHA CEO Ondina Love framed the stakes more broadly: the program, she said, must do "more than just pay for treatment."
These are recommendations, not policy changes. Nothing in the CDHA release changes current CDCP coverage, frequency limits or preauthorization rules.
What does the CDCP cover today?
According to the Government of Canada's coverage page, the CDCP's diagnostic and preventive services include dental exams, x-rays, cleaning (scaling), fluoride applications and sealants. The page also states that some services, including those beyond established frequency limits, require preauthorization, and that not all requests will be approved. A patient may still proceed with recommended services that are not covered and pay the provider directly.
Co-payments depend on adjusted family net income. The federal page lists:
- Lower than $70,000 CAD: 0% co-payment on CDCP established fees.
- $70,000 to $79,999 CAD: 40% co-payment.
- $80,000 to $89,999 CAD: 60% co-payment.
Patients may also face additional charges when a provider's fee is higher than what the CDCP reimburses, or when the patient and provider agree to services the plan does not cover.
How should Ontario practices respond now?
The CDHA findings point to communication as much as coverage. If more than three-quarters of surveyed hygienists see patients who think the CDCP is completely free, the gap between expectation and invoice is landing in your operatory and at your front desk.
Pro Tip: Before the first hygiene appointment, confirm the patient's co-payment tier and walk through any amount above CDCP established fees in writing. The federal coverage page itself tells patients to ask their provider about costs that won't be covered before treatment, so a written estimate lines up with the advice the government already gives patients.
Pro Tip: When periodontal maintenance needs go beyond frequency limits, document the clinical findings that support the request at the time of the visit. CDHA respondents reported difficulty obtaining approvals even with documented evidence, which makes complete, contemporaneous charting more important, not less.
Practices that track their own preauthorization turnaround and denial patterns will be better placed to give feedback as the program evolves. CDHA says it looks forward to working with the federal government, oral health organizations and other stakeholders to strengthen the program.
EBIKO Dental will continue monitoring CDCP developments and their impact on Ontario practices. For supplies and resources for your hygiene team, visit EBIKO Dental.
Sources
- Canadian Dental Hygienists Association. CDHA calls for a stronger focus on prevention in the CDCP, media release, October 6, 2026.
- Government of Canada. What services are covered in the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What did the CDHA say about the Canadian Dental Care Plan in October 2026?
On October 6, 2026, the CDHA welcomed the CDA's assessment of the CDCP and agreed the plan has significantly improved access. It called for a stronger focus on prevention, including enhanced periodontal prevention and maintenance (including scaling and root planing), recognition of hygienists' exams as distinct from annual exam limits, and personalized education and behaviour-change support.
Q: Is the CDCP completely free for patients?
Not always. According to the Government of Canada, co-payments of 40% or 60% of CDCP established fees apply to adjusted family net incomes of $70,000 to $89,999 CAD, and patients may pay additional charges if provider fees exceed CDCP reimbursement. CDHA reported that more than three-quarters of surveyed hygienists see patients who believed the plan was completely free.
Q: Does the CDCP require preauthorization for hygiene services?
Some services, including those beyond established frequency limits, require preauthorization according to the federal coverage page, and not all requests are approved. Almost half of hygienists in CDHA's January 2026 survey described preauthorization requirements as very demanding.