Canadian Dental Care Plan

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) helps make dental care more affordable for eligible Canadian residents who do not have access to private dental insurance. If you qualify, the plan may help cover a portion of the cost of eligible dental services, from routine exams and preventive care to certain restorative and more complex treatments.

What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a federal program designed to reduce financial barriers to oral health care for eligible Canadian residents.

The CDCP is not a traditional private dental insurance plan. It helps pay for eligible oral health services according to the plan’s established fees, coverage rules, frequency limits, and your individual co-payment level.

Sun Life administers dental claims under the CDCP on behalf of the Government of Canada.

Who Qualifies for the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

To qualify for the CDCP, you must meet the eligibility requirements established by the Government of Canada.

Currently, applicants must:

Not have access to private dental insurance or coverage
Have filed their Canadian tax return for the applicable year
Have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000
Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes

If you have a spouse or common-law partner, their information may also be considered when determining eligibility.

Having dental coverage through certain provincial, territorial, or federal government social programs does not necessarily prevent you from qualifying for the CDCP. In some situations, coverage may be coordinated between programs.

Eligibility requirements can change, and CDCP members must renew their coverage each year. Visit the Government of Canada’s official CDCP website for current eligibility and application information.

What Dental Services Does the CDCP Cover?

The CDCP can help pay for a wide range of oral health services when they are recommended by an oral health provider and meet the plan’s coverage requirements.

Depending on your needs and eligibility, covered services may include areas such as:

Diagnostic Services

These can include dental examinations and X-rays used to assess your teeth, gums, and overall oral health.

Preventive Services

Preventive coverage may include services such as dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants.

Restorative Services

Certain treatments used to repair damaged or decayed teeth, including permanent fillings, may be eligible for coverage.

Endodontic Services

Certain treatments involving the inside of a tooth, including eligible root canal procedures, may be covered.

Periodontal Services

The CDCP includes coverage for certain services used to prevent and treat conditions affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.

Other Dental Services

The CDCP may also provide coverage for certain prosthodontic, oral surgery, anesthesia, and other dental services.

Not every dental procedure is covered, and some services require preauthorization before treatment. Coverage may also be subject to frequency limits and other plan requirements.

Does the CDCP Cover 100% of Dental Costs?

Not necessarily.

The amount the CDCP pays depends partly on your adjusted family net income and the CDCP-established fee for the service.

Under the current program:

Adjusted family net income below $70,000: CDCP may cover 100% of eligible costs at the CDCP-established fees.
$70,000–$79,999: CDCP may cover 60% of eligible costs at the CDCP-established fees, leaving a 40% co-payment.
$80,000–$89,999: CDCP may cover 40% of eligible costs at the CDCP-established fees, leaving a 60% co-payment.

Even if the CDCP covers 100% of its established fee, that does not necessarily mean your appointment will have no out-of-pocket cost.

Dental offices may charge fees that differ from the fees established by the CDCP. You may be responsible for the difference, as well as the cost of services that are not covered by the plan.

Before treatment begins, ask your dental office about your expected coverage and any amount you may need to pay.

Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan Free Dental Care?

The CDCP is designed to make dental treatment more affordable, but it should not be considered universal free dental care.

Some patients may have no co-payment for eligible services based on their income. However, additional costs can still apply if the dental office’s fee is higher than the amount reimbursed by the CDCP or if a service is not covered by the plan.

Other patients have a required co-payment based on their adjusted family net income.

Understanding your coverage before beginning treatment can help you avoid unexpected costs.

How Do You Use the CDCP at a Dental Office?

Once you have been approved for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, check your benefit coverage start date before scheduling treatment under the plan.

When contacting a dental office, let the team know that you have CDCP coverage.

Before receiving treatment, you should confirm:

That your CDCP coverage is active
That the dental provider will accept you as a CDCP patient and bill Sun Life directly
Which recommended services are eligible for coverage
Your applicable co-payment
Whether you may have additional out-of-pocket costs
Whether any proposed treatment requires preauthorization

Your dental provider may be able to submit an estimate to Sun Life to confirm your active coverage and determine how much the CDCP is expected to pay toward proposed services.

Do You Pay the Dentist and Get Reimbursed by the CDCP?

No.

Under the CDCP, eligible claims are submitted by the oral health provider directly to Sun Life. CDCP members cannot pay the full cost of treatment themselves and then submit the expense to Sun Life for reimbursement.

You are responsible for paying any portion of the treatment cost that is not covered by the CDCP.

This is why it is important to confirm that a dental provider will accept you as a CDCP patient and bill Sun Life directly before receiving treatment.

Do Some Treatments Require Preauthorization?

Yes.

Many covered dental services can be provided without preauthorization, while certain treatments require approval from the CDCP before they can be covered.

When preauthorization is required, your dental provider submits the necessary information for review before treatment. Approval is based on CDCP policies and the clinical information provided.

A recommendation from your dentist does not guarantee that the CDCP will approve or fully cover the treatment.

Your dental team can discuss whether preauthorization is required for your proposed care and any costs you may be responsible for before proceeding.

How Do You Apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

Applications are handled by the Government of Canada, not by individual dental practices.

Before applying, make sure you meet the current eligibility requirements. You will need to provide information used to confirm your identity, residency, family income, and access to other dental coverage.

Once your application is approved, review your coverage information and benefit start date before arranging dental care under the plan.

Because eligibility, application procedures, coverage, and benefit periods can change, use the Government of Canada’s official Canadian Dental Care Plan information when applying or renewing your coverage.

Learn More About Using Your CDCP Coverage

If you have been approved for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, understanding your coverage is an important first step before beginning treatment.

Contact the dental office directly to ask whether they accept CDCP patients and to discuss your coverage, treatment needs, and potential out-of-pocket costs before scheduling care under the plan.

FAQs About Canadian Dental Care Plan

Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan the same as dental insurance?

No. The CDCP is a federal dental benefit designed to help eligible Canadian residents pay for oral health care. Coverage is based on CDCP rules, established fees, eligible services, and your applicable co-payment rather than the terms of a private dental insurance policy.

Does the CDCP cover dental cleanings and exams?

Eligible diagnostic and preventive services can include dental examinations, X-rays, scaling, fluoride applications, and sealants. Coverage is subject to the CDCP’s rules and frequency limits, so your dental provider should confirm your specific coverage before treatment.

Will I have to pay anything if I have CDCP coverage?

Possibly. Your adjusted family net income determines whether you have a CDCP co-payment. You may also have additional costs if your provider’s fees are higher than the CDCP-established fees or if you choose a service that is not covered.

Can I use the CDCP at any dental office?

You should confirm that the dental provider will accept you as a CDCP patient and bill Sun Life directly before receiving treatment. Participation in the CDCP is voluntary, and not every dental provider is required to provide care under the plan.

We strive to...

Create a welcoming environment where you feel heard, respected, and at ease throughout your visit.

Help you understand your oral health and treatment options so you can make informed decisions about your care.

Take the time to understand your concerns, priorities, and goals before recommending treatment.

Earn your trust through consistent care, open communication, and a patient-first approach.

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