What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?
The CDCP is a federally funded dental care program, designed to reduce financial barriers to oral healthcare for Canadian residents who lack dental benefits with an annual net income of less than $90,000.
The program provides coverage for various dental services, including preventive, diagnostic, restorative, endodontic, prosthodontic, periodontal, and oral surgery services.
Who is eligible for the CDCP?
Individuals must meet the following criteria, established by the Government of Canada to qualify as an eligible CDCP member:
- Does not have access to dental insurance.
- Has a family net income of less than $90,000.
- Be a Canadian resident and has filed a tax return in the previous year.
- To retain eligibility, CDCP members are required to re-enrol for the program annually.
- Learn more about the CDCP
How Do I Get Coverage?
Eligible patients may apply through the online portal. Those who cannot apply online, can apply by phone: 1-833-537-4342. For TTY call 1-833-677-6262.
Once you have applied, Health Canada will confirm your eligibility and share your information with Sun Life to enroll you in the plan. You will receive a welcome package from Sun Life within three months of your application, which will include:
- Information on the CDCP
- A member card
- Their individual coverage start date
Patients can also be directed to Health Canada’s CDCP website for more information on eligibility, covered services and more.
Levels of Coverage
The CDCP offers three levels of coverage – these are based on adjusted family net income.
Tier 1
- 100% CDCP fee guide coverage,
- Adjusted family net income under $70k
Tier 2
- 60% CDCP fee guide coverage
- Adjusted family net income under $70k
Tier 3
- 40% CDCP fee guide coverage
- Adjusted family net income between $80k and $90k
What is covered by the CDCP?
Basic oral health services are covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Some services require pre-authorization, such as more complicated treatments or those exceeding frequency limitations. Co-payments will be required for those with an adjusted family net income between $70,000 and $89,999. Providers may charge higher fees than the established CDCP fees; patients are responsible for paying the difference.
Services Not Requiring Pre-authorization
General services including:
- Diagnostic services
- Examinations, X-rays, laboratory tests
- Preventive services
- Polishing, scaling, topical fluoride treatments, sealants, etc.
- Restorative services on primary and permanent teeth
- Endodontic services, standard root canal treatment, etc.
- Prosthodontic services
- Standard complete dentures, etc.
- Oral surgery services
- Minimal sedation services
Services Requiring Pre-authorization
Services requiring pre-authorization include
- Specialist examinations
- Interproximal disking of teeth
- Cores and posts
- Crowns
- Root canal re-treatment, apicoectomy, retrofilling, root canal treatment on third molars
- Initial placements of partial cast dentures and partial acrylic dentures
- Major surgical procedures
- Moderate sedation, deep sedation and general anesthesia
- Orthodontic services when clinically necessary
Exclusions to CDCP
Services excluded from CDCP coverage include, but are not limited to:
- Veneers in composite or ceramic
- All ¾ crowns
- Teeth whitening
- Inlays/onlays in composite, precious metal or ceramic
- Temporomandibular joint therapy and appliances
- Fixed prosthodontics (bridges)
- Mouthguards and bruxism appliance
- Crown lengthening
- Root re-sectioning
- Implants and any associated procedures
- Bone grafts
- Extensive rehabilitation
FAQs
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Important Facts for Patients
- The CDCP is a subsidy, not full coverage.
- CDCP coverage is only available to patients after their individual coverage start date is effective.
- Delaying appointments to wait for CDCP coverage could result in worsening oral health issues.
- Patients currently using a government social program will still be eligible for the CDCP; coordination of benefits is still being determined.
- Dawson Dental follows the Ontario Dental Association’s Suggested Fee Guide however thanks to the CDCP program, patients will receive the coverage that they are entitled to under the level of coverage that they are approved for. The coverage received will be applied to your total balance from your treatment. We are so grateful to be able to offer this to our patients as a support to their overall oral health needs.
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Will the entire cost of my dental treatment be covered under the new plan?
As the CDCP is not a fully subsidized program, we want to be transparent that there may be some out-of-pocket costs when you receive treatment. These additional costs stem from three factors:
1. The fees covered by the CDCP are generally lower than the recommended fees for dental care in the province or territory where you live.
2. Those with an adjusted family net income between $70,000 and $89,999 will have a co-payment, meaning only a set percentage of fees will be covered.
3. Not all dental services will be covered by the CDCP.
We will be sure to make any anticipated out-of-pocket costs clear to you before you receive treatment. We believe the subsidization that patients will receive as part of the CDCP will help remove significant financial barriers to accessing dental care.
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Are the types of treatment covered the same for all patients?
Certain services, such as deep sedation, are not covered in all cases. If a provider believes the treatment is medically necessary, they can submit a preauthorization request on behalf of the patient. Approval of the preauthorization request is based on the recommendations of the dental care professional and considers the patient's dental and medical history.
Treatments requiring preauthorization are listed below.
- Specialist dental examination
- Crowns
- Posts and cores
- Moderate sedation, deep sedation and general anesthesia
- Major surgical procedures
- Orthodontic services when clinically necessary (starting in 2025)
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How long will I be covered by the CDCP?
CDCP requires annual renewal to confirm that patients continue to meet all eligibility requirements. Renewing ensures you avoid any gaps in your dental coverage.
Once you receive your tax assessment, you can renew your coverage online here or through your My Service Canada Account (MSCA). Be sure to submit your renewal application early to prevent any potential lapse in coverage.
If your renewal is approved, you’ll get a letter confirming your coverage and any updates. If your coverage has changed based on your net family income, the letter will include details about the changes to your coverage. Just bring it to your next dental visit so your provider is up to date.