A chemical-mechanical polishing method utilizes a shallow dummy pattern for planarizing a dielectric layer. The method includes the steps of first forming a shallow dummy pattern on the dielectric layer, and then coating a patterned photoresist layer over the dielectric layer. Thereafter, the photoresist layer is used as a mask to form openings in other areas of the dielectric layer. Subsequently, the photoresist layer is removed to expose the shallow dummy pattern, and then a glue/barrier layer and a conductive layer are sequentially deposited. Next, a chemical-mechanical polishing operation is carried out to remove excess conductive layer and glue/barrier layer above the dielectric layer as well as the shallow dummy pattern at the same time. Since the removal rate of glue/barrier layer in each area above the dielectric layer is about the same, a planar substrate surface is obtained.