What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program that aims to make essential dental care more accessible to Canadians without private dental insurance. This plan is part of Canada’s effort to provide universal health care and help eligible people get affordable dental care, reducing financial barriers to maintaining good oral health. The program covers preventive, diagnostic, and restorative dental services, allowing Canadians to focus on their dental health without worrying about the cost. If you are looking for quality oral health services without the burden of high dental bills, the CDCP can be an ideal option.
Who is Eligible for the CDCP?
To be part of the CDCP program, individuals must meet certain requirements set by the Canadian government. This program helps Canadians who have limited access to dental care, making sure income and insurance status do not become a barrier to receiving quality oral care. You can be eligible for CDCP if you:
Don't have dental insurance:
The CDCP is for individuals without any form of dental coverage
Have a family net income below $90,000:
Financial eligibility is based on income, ensuring it helps those who actually need it.
Live in Canada and filed taxes last year:
Your residency status and your tax filing need to be verified to be eligible for CDCP.
Sign up again each year:
To keep your coverage, you need to apply again every year to ensure your eligibility to the current criteria.
What is Covered by the CDCP?
The CDCP offers a broad range of dental services to ensure that Canadians can maintain their oral health. While some services are straightforward and covered without extra steps, for more complex treatments, you might need to get approval first.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s covered:
Diagnostic and Preventive Services
These services help maintain oral health and detect potential issues early on. Covered services include:
- Exams – Routine, complete, emergency, and specific exams.
- X-rays – Necessary imaging to assess dental health.
- Teeth Cleanings (Scaling) – Removal of plaque and tartar to prevent gum disease.
- Fluoride Treatments – Strengthening your teeth against decay.
- Sealants – Protective barriers to prevent cavities.
Basic Restorative Services
To treat cavities and repair broken teeth, the CDCP covers the following:
- Fillings – Both permanent and temporary solutions to repair damaged teeth.
- Pain Management – Relief for toothaches caused by decay.
- Cavity Treatments – Professional treatments for tooth decay and infection.
Endodontic Services
For more severe cases of tooth decay and infection, CDCP covers:
- Root Canal Treatments – Save a tooth that is severely infected or decayed.
- Pulpectomies – First steps of root canal therapy.
- Re-treatment of Root Canals – Pre-authorized services for previously treated teeth.
Periodontal Services
For the care of gums and bones surrounding teeth, the CDCP provides coverage for:
- Deep Cleanings – Cleaning below the gumline to treat gum disease.
- Post-surgical Evaluations – Follow-up appointments for post-surgery recovery.
- Abscess Treatment – Immediate care for infections.
- Non-surgical Gum Disease Management – Care to manage and control gum disease.
Major Restorative Services
For severely damaged teeth, the CDCP covers major restorative services:
- Crowns – When fillings aren’t enough to restore a tooth (requires pre-authorization).
- Posts and Cores – Supports for crowns that stabilize severely damaged teeth.
- Repairs to Crowns – Fixing or re-bonding broken crowns and posts.
Removable Prosthodontic Services
If you need dentures, the CDCP offers coverage for:
- Complete Dentures – Includes both standard and immediate dentures.
- Denture Repairs – Relines, rebases, and adjustments for better fit.
- Partial Dentures – Available with pre-authorization.
Oral Surgery Services
When surgery is needed, the CDCP covers procedures like:
- Tooth Extractions – Removal of teeth and roots.
- Jaw Surgery – Treatment for broken jaw bones or removal of cysts and tumors.
Anesthesia and Sedation Services
CDCP also ensures that patients have access to pain management during treatment by covering:
- Minimal Sedation – To help with anxiety during procedures.
- Moderate to Deep Sedation – Pre-authorization is required for complex procedures.
Orthodontic Services (Coming in 2025)
Starting in 2025, orthodontic services will be available under CDCP. These services will be limited to cases of medical need and will require pre-authorization.
These services are covered without needing prior approval:
- Diagnostic Services: Exams, X-rays, and lab tests.
- Preventive Services: Cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants.
- Restorative Services: Fillings and other repairs on primary and permanent teeth.
- Endodontic Services: Standard root canal treatments.
- Prosthodontic Services: Complete dentures.
- Sedation: Minimal sedation procedures for anxiety relief.
Starting November 2024, certain treatments will require pre-authorization:
- Specialist exams, cores, and posts.
- Crowns and root canal re-treatments.
- Major surgeries, including apicoectomy and retrofitting.
- Orthodontic services (available in 2025).
- Moderate to deep sedation and anesthesia exceeding frequency limits.
Some procedures are not covered under CDCP, including:
- Cosmetic treatments (e.g., veneers, teeth whitening).
- Fixed prosthodontics (e.g., bridges).
- Complex surgical procedures (e.g., implants, bone grafts).
- Temporomandibular joint therapy and appliances.
- Mouthguards, inlays, onlays, and ridge augmentation.
How Much Will Be Covered?
The CDCP pays for a portion of the cost of your dental care, but it might not always cover the full payment. The coverage depends on your income and the type of dental care you need. Here’s how it works:
- Full Coverage for Lower Incomes – Families with a net income below $70,000 will have 100% of eligible services covered at CDCP-established fees.
- Partial Coverage for Higher Incomes – Families with a net income between $70,000 and $89,999 will get 40% to 60% coverage based on their income.
Please note that in some cases, your dentist might charge more than what the CDCP covers. You will be responsible for paying the extra charges.
Co-Payments
If your family’s net income is between $70,000 and $89,999, you will need to make a co-payment. A co-payment is part of the dental bill that the CDCP doesn’t cover, and you pay this directly to your dental provider.
Co-payment Rates Based on Income:
| Family Net Income | CDCP Coverage | Co-payment |
| Below $70,000 | 100% | 0% |
| $70,000 – $79,999 | 60% | 40% |
| $80,000 – $89,999 | 40% | 60% |
Before receiving treatment, be sure to ask your dental provider about any additional costs not covered by CDCP, so there are no surprises when it’s time to pay.
How to Apply for CDCP Coverage?
Applying for the Canadian Dental Care Plan is easy. After you get an invite, you can register through the government’s online portal. You’ll need to show documents that prove you qualify for the program such as income proof and residency status.
The Application Process:
- Get an Invite – You’ll receive an invite based on your income and tax records.
- Sign Up Online – Go to the government’s website to complete your registration.
- Verification – After your details are confirmed, you’ll get your CDCP card.
Start Using Your Benefits – Show your card to get the benefits of covered services. For more complex treatments, check if you need pre-authorization first.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CDCP covers basic dental services, including cleanings, exams, fillings, and dentures. Some specialized treatments will require pre-authorization.
Accessing the CDCP benefits does not mean you can access free dental care. The CDCP covers a part of the cost of your dental care based on income. You will need to pay for the portion CDCP does not cover. For families with an adjusted net income of $70,000 to $89,999, co-payments are required.
Basic dental services already began in May, and more complex treatments that require pre-authorization will be available starting in November 2024. Coverage for the orthodontic services will be available to access in 2025.
Orthodontic services, including braces, will be available in 2025 with pre-authorization.
Yes, to maintain coverage, you must reapply annually to ensure continued eligibility.
Cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening, veneers, and implants are not covered. Additionally, certain specialized treatments, like crown lengthening and TMJ therapies, are excluded.