The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal government program that is intended to provide dental coverage for Canadian residents who do not have dental benefits and have a household income of less than $90,000 a year.
The CDCP is managed by Health Canada and administered by Sun Life. Dentists are not involved in deciding who is eligible or what services are covered.
If you need help applying or have questions about your eligibility for the CDCP, please visit canada.ca/dental
OR
Contact: Canada Health helpline at 1-833-537-4342 between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Local time, Monday to Friday.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is eligible?
Seniors aged 65 and above, adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate, and children under the age of 18 who meet the eligibility requirements can apply online at: canada.ca/dental
All remaining eligible Canadians will be able to apply online in 2025.
You must meet the eligibility requirements each year to continue to qualify for the CDCP.
When does my CDCP coverage begin?
Your coverage start date will be based on when your application is received and when you are enrolled in the CDCP. The coverage start date will vary for each person.
Individuals who qualify will be sent a welcome package by Sun Life with a member card, co-payment information, and the start date for when their oral health care services will be covered under the CDCP.
Will I be able to access CDCP if I am eligible under other government dental programs?
If you are covered under other government dental programs (such as Healthy Smiles Ontario and the Ontario Disability Support Program) and are eligible for the CDCP, you will be able to apply. Benefits will be co-ordinated between the programs, which means that your coverage will not be duplicated.
How much does the CDCP cover?
The CDCP does not provide free dental care. It is a government dental benefit that covers a part of the cost of your care. You may have to pay the portion of costs that are not covered.
Patients may be required to make co-payment (pay for a portion of their dental care under CDCP) depending on their adjusted family net income. In addition to the potential co-payment, you may have to pay the portion of a dentist’s usual and standard fees that aren’t covered by the CDCP.
When booking your dental appointment, consult with your dental office about the costs of your treatment and any costs that won’t be covered by the CDCP.
Can I pay the dentist in full and be reimbursed directly from CDCP?
Dental providers participating in the CDCP must abide by the program’s terms and conditions, which require them to submit claims to Sun Life and be reimbursed directly. Patients cannot be reimbursed by the CDCP.
Does the CDCP replace my other dental coverage?
No. The CDCP is designed for Canadian residents who do not have dental benefits. To qualify, you must not have access to any type of dental insurance or coverage through: your employer or a family member's employer benefits, including health and wellness accounts; a professional or student organization; your pension benefits through a previous employer or a family member's pension benefits (unless you opted out of your pension benefits before Dec. 11, 2023 and you can't opt back in under the pension rules); coverage purchased by yourself or a family member or through a group plan from an insurance or benefits company. The ODA does not recommend cancelling your existing dental coverage thinking that the CDCP will replace those benefits. Please make sure you understand all of the details and costs of your coverage compared to the CDCP prior to making any decisions.
What services are covered by CDCP?
Examples of services that could be covered under the CDCP when recommended by your dentist include:
Scaling (cleaning), polishing, sealants, and fluoride
Examinations and X-rays
Fillings and root canal treatments
Complete and partial removable dentures
Oral surgery services, including extractions
Some services will require pre-authorization, which means prior approval is needed. This will be based on a dentist’s recommendations. Before the treatment begins, your dentist will check to see if it will be covered under the CDCP. Services requiring pre-authorization will become available in November 2024.
For full information on all services covered, refer to the CDCP Dental Benefits Guide
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html