A new survey by Abacus Data, conducted for The Logic, reveals that Canadians overwhelmingly support the continuation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). The study, conducted with 1,500 Canadians aged 18 and older from Jan. 9 to 14, 2025, found that 62 per cent of respondents want the program to continue, emphasizing its importance in improving public health and addressing inequalities in dental care access.
The findings suggest strong public attachment to the CDCP, which was introduced as part of a political agreement between the Liberal government and the NDP. Support for the plan remains steady across regions and demographics, even as confidence in the governing Liberals has declined.
(Also read: How Justin Trudeau’s resignation could affect the future of the Canadian Dental Care Plan)
Conservative voters back the CDCP
The poll also highlights that half of those who plan to vote Conservative want the CDCP maintained, despite the party’s opposition to it as a potential threat to private insurance.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates the CDCP will cost $10 billion over five years. With Trudeau proroguing Parliament to allow the Liberal Party to hold a leadership contest, the additional $317 million allocated late last year to the CDCP and $1.5 million to Statistics Canada will now be delayed until Parliament reconvenes. Critics have raised concerns about CDCP’s financial sustainability, while supporters argue that improving access to dental care helps address inequalities and reduces long-term health care costs.
The poll also found that 60 per cent back the federal drug coverage for diabetes and birth control medication.
The survey was conducted online with a randomized sample of participants recruited via the Lucid exchange platform, which combines multiple double opt-in panels to minimize data biases.
No update yet on CDCP’s final phase
Dental associations are awaiting updates on the final phase of the CDCP, which is set to launch in 2025 and expand coverage to adults aged 18 to 65 with limited incomes.
“We are still waiting to hear details on the next phase of the program,” said Dr. Jenny Doerksen, president of the Alberta Dental Association. For more on this story, please read this: No update yet on Canadian dental plan, say associations as political uncertainty looms.