Routine professional preventive dental care is a vital part of overall healthcare. It effectively reduces the risk of gum disease and tooth decay and offers protection against serious health problems, including stroke and cardiovascular disease.
In Canada, one-third of people lack dental insurance, and many avoid seeing a dental professional due to financial concerns. The government has introduced a publicly funded dental benefit to address this issue. While it is designed to help meet these needs, this benefit is not intended to provide free dental care for all Canadians or replace existing employment-related or private dental benefits.
About the CDCP
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal government program intended to reduce financial barriers to oral health care for Canadians without a dental plan. The program will provide a dental care subsidy for Canadian residents who do not have dental benefits and have an adjusted household income of less than $90,000 a year.
If you or someone you care for is eligible for the CDCP, here is what you should know before you book your next dental appointment.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
For many patients, treatments under the CDCP will not be free
Some CDCP patients won’t have the full cost of their appointment covered. Depending on your family’s income, you may need to pay a percentage of the cost. The federal government will only pay a portion of the CDCP fees and you will be responsible for additional charges known as co-payments. You will have to be pay these amounts directly to your dentist, if:
- your adjusted family net income is between $70,000 and $89,999; and
- you agree to dental care that the CDCP does not cover.
Below is the co-payment breakdown based on adjusted family income
| Adjusted family net income | How much will the CDCP cover | How much you will cover |
|---|
| Lower than $70,000 | 100% of eligible oral health care service costs will be covered at the CDCP established fees. | 0% of the CDCP established fees. |
| Between $70,000 and $79,999 | 60% of eligible oral health care service costs will be covered at the CDCP established fees. | 40% of the CDCP established fees. |
| Between $80,000 and $89,999 | 40% of eligible oral health care service costs will be covered at the CDCP established fees. | 60% of the CDCP established fees. |
In addition to the co-payment requirements listed above, many of the established fees covered by the federal government do not meet the full cost of the treatment in a dental office. The difference will be on you.
Preauthorization required for certain services
Starting November 1, 2024, a wider range of essential treatments, including partial dentures, crowns, and higher levels of sedation, became available to CDCP patients through the launch of preauthorization. This expansion offers patients access to more care options.
The preauthorization process means that, while dentists recommend the best treatment based on their expertise, certain procedures need to be approved in advance for some treatments to be covered under the CDCP.
The final decision to provide coverage rests with Sunlife and/or Health Canada. For patients, this process may require additional waiting periods. It’s advisable to discuss potential treatment options with your dentist in advance.
Wait to receive CDCP welcome packages before booking dental appointments
Your CDCP welcome packages may take up to three months to arrive from the time you apply and enrol. Your coverage start date will be laid out in your welcome package and may vary based on when you apply and when your application is processed. This means that you cannot receive care under the program until you have received your CDCP card and observed your start date.