What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program providing dental coverage to uninsured Canadians with family income under $90,000.
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Start date | 2024 (phased rollout) |
| Full implementation | 2025 |
| Eligible population | ~9 million Canadians |
| Annual cost | ~$13 billion |
| Administrator | Sun Life |
Eligibility Requirements
Income Thresholds
| Adjusted Family Net Income | Coverage Level | Co-Pay |
|---|
| Under $70,000 | Full coverage | 0% |
| $70,000–$79,999 | Partial coverage | 40% |
| $80,000–$89,999 | Partial coverage | 60% |
| $90,000+ | Not eligible | N/A |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|
| Canadian resident | Must live in Canada |
| Tax filer | Filed previous year’s return |
| No private dental insurance | Cannot have workplace or private coverage |
| Provincial health card | Valid provincial/territorial coverage |
Who Is NOT Eligible
| Situation | Eligible? |
|---|
| Has employer dental benefits | No |
| Has private dental insurance | No |
| Income over $90,000 | No |
| Non-resident of Canada | No |
| Already covered by provincial dental | Depends |
Rollout Timeline
| Phase | Date | Who’s Eligible |
|---|
| Phase 1 | December 2023 | Application opens for seniors 87+ |
| Phase 2 | January 2024 | Seniors 77-86 |
| Phase 3 | February 2024 | Seniors 72-76 |
| Phase 4 | March 2024 | Seniors 70-71 |
| Phase 5 | May 2024 | Seniors 65-69 |
| Phase 6 | June 2024 | Children under 18, persons with disabilities |
| Phase 7 | 2025 | All remaining eligible adults 18-64 |
As of 2026, the program is fully open to all eligible Canadians.
Covered Services
Preventive Care
| Service | Coverage |
|---|
| Oral exams | Covered |
| Cleanings/scaling | Covered |
| X-rays | Covered |
| Fluoride treatments | Covered |
| Sealants | Covered |
Restorative Services
| Service | Coverage |
|---|
| Fillings (amalgam and composite) | Covered |
| Crowns | Covered |
| Root canals | Covered |
| Inlays/onlays | Covered |
Prosthodontics
| Service | Coverage |
|---|
| Complete dentures | Covered |
| Partial dentures | Covered |
| Denture repairs | Covered |
| Bridges | Covered |
Periodontal Services
| Service | Coverage |
|---|
| Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) | Covered |
| Periodontal maintenance | Covered |
| Gum treatments | Covered |
Oral Surgery
| Service | Coverage |
|---|
| Simple extractions | Covered |
| Surgical extractions | Covered |
| Wisdom teeth removal | Covered |
Orthodontics
| Service | Coverage |
|---|
| Children’s orthodontics | Limited coverage |
| Adult orthodontics | Generally not covered |
Not Covered
| Service | Status |
|---|
| Cosmetic dentistry | Not covered |
| Teeth whitening | Not covered |
| Veneers (cosmetic) | Not covered |
| Dental implants | Limited coverage* |
*Implants may be covered in specific medical situations.
How to Apply
Online Application
- Visit canada.ca/dental
- Sign in with GCKey or sign-in partner
- Verify your identity
- Complete eligibility questions
- Submit application
- Receive confirmation
By Phone
| Contact | Details |
|---|
| Phone number | 1-833-537-4342 |
| TTY | 1-833-537-4344 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8am–8pm local time |
| Saturday | 8am–4pm local time |
Processing Time
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|
| Application review | 2–4 weeks |
| Welcome kit mailed | 4–6 weeks |
| Card arrives | 6–8 weeks from application |
Your CDCP Card
What You’ll Receive
| Item | Purpose |
|---|
| Member card | Show at dentist |
| Member ID number | For claims |
| Welcome package | Coverage details |
Card Details
| Information | On Card |
|---|
| Member name | Yes |
| Member ID | Yes |
| Group number | Yes |
| Coverage type | Yes |
| Effective date | Yes |
Finding a Participating Dentist
How to Search
- Visit oral-health.canada.ca/cdcp-find-provider
- Enter your postal code
- Filter by service type
- Call to confirm participation
Dentist Participation
| Status | What It Means |
|---|
| Participating | Bills CDCP directly |
| Non-participating | May require you to pay upfront and claim reimbursement |
| Opted out | Does not accept CDCP |
Tips for Finding Care
| Tip | Why |
|---|
| Call ahead | Confirm dentist accepts CDCP |
| Ask about wait times | Popular offices may have longer waits |
| Try dental schools | May accept CDCP with reduced wait times |
| Check community health centres | Often accept CDCP |
Cost Examples
Full Coverage (Under $70,000 Income)
| Service | Fee Schedule | You Pay |
|---|
| Exam and cleaning | $200 | $0 |
| Filling | $180 | $0 |
| Crown | $1,200 | $0 |
| Extraction | $150 | $0 |
40% Co-Pay ($70,000–$79,999 Income)
| Service | Fee Schedule | You Pay |
|---|
| Exam and cleaning | $200 | $80 |
| Filling | $180 | $72 |
| Crown | $1,200 | $480 |
| Extraction | $150 | $60 |
60% Co-Pay ($80,000–$89,999 Income)
| Service | Fee Schedule | You Pay |
|---|
| Exam and cleaning | $200 | $120 |
| Filling | $180 | $108 |
| Crown | $1,200 | $720 |
| Extraction | $150 | $90 |
CDCP vs Provincial Programs
Existing Provincial Programs
| Province | Existing Program | CDCP Interaction |
|---|
| Ontario | OHIP+ (children) | CDCP supplements |
| Quebec | RAMQ dental (children) | Can use either |
| Alberta | Alberta Child Benefit dental | CDCP supplements |
| BC | Limited low-income coverage | CDCP primary |
Which to Use First
Generally, CDCP is primary coverage. Provincial programs may cover gaps or additional services not covered by CDCP.
Annual Limits
| Category | Annual Maximum |
|---|
| Preventive | No hard cap |
| Restorative | Fee guide limits |
| Major services | May require pre-authorization |
Note: CDCP uses a fee guide rather than strict dollar limits. Some services require pre-authorization.
Pre-Authorization
Services Requiring Pre-Authorization
| Service | Pre-Authorization? |
|---|
| Routine exam | No |
| Cleaning | No |
| Filling | No |
| Crown | Yes |
| Root canal | Sometimes |
| Surgery | Yes |
| Orthodontics | Yes |
How Pre-Authorization Works
- Dentist submits treatment plan
- Sun Life reviews
- Approval sent to dentist
- Treatment proceeds
Common Questions
What if I get dental insurance through work?
You become ineligible for CDCP when you gain private coverage. You must notify the program.
Can I use CDCP for dental emergencies?
Yes. Emergency dental care is covered. Go to a participating dentist or emergency dental clinic.
What if my dentist doesn’t accept CDCP?
You can:
- Find a participating dentist
- Ask your dentist to enroll
- Pay upfront and submit claims (limited reimbursement)
Does CDCP cover dental work done before I enrolled?
No. Only services after your coverage effective date are covered.
What happens if my income increases above $90,000?
Report the change. Coverage will end at the next renewal period.
Renewing Coverage
Annual Verification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|
| File taxes | Required annually |
| Income verified | CRA data used |
| Automatic renewal | If still eligible |
| No re-application | Unless circumstances change |
Loss of Eligibility
| Reason | Action Required |
|---|
| Income over $90,000 | Coverage ends |
| Gain private insurance | Notify program |
| Leave Canada | Coverage ends |
| Death | Coverage ends |
| Purpose | Contact |
|---|
| General inquiries | 1-833-537-4342 |
| Apply | canada.ca/dental |
| Find dentist | oral-health.canada.ca/cdcp-find-provider |
| Claims | Through Sun Life |
Key Takeaways
- Free or reduced-cost dental care for Canadians earning under $90,000
- Must not have private dental insurance
- All ages now eligible (seniors, children, adults)
- Coverage includes preventive, restorative, and major services
- Use participating dentists for direct billing
- File your tax return to maintain eligibility
→ Back to: Complete Canadian Tax Guide