What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)-
The CDCP is a government-funded dental benefit designed for individuals with a household income below $90,000 and no private dental insurance.
The program helps cover part of the cost for enrolled patients’ oral health treatments, aiming to prevent and address oral diseases while also reducing the risk of more serious health issues.
What dental services are covered-
The CDCP has its own fee guide to determine covered treatment costs, which may differ from provincial or territorial fee guides. Since some treatments require co-payments, patients may still need to cover a portion of their treatment costs. These out-of-pocket costs are based on a family’s net income from the 2023 year.
The following table illustrates CDCP coverage and patient co-payment percentages by net family income:
| Net Family Income | Covered by CDCP | Covered by Patient according to 2023 year Fee Guide |
| Below $70,000 | 100% | 0% |
| $70,000 – $79,999 | 60% | 40% |
| $80,000 – $89,999 | 40% | 60% |
The CDCP covers oral health services designed to prevent and treat oral disease and to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Services that are covered when recommended by a dental professional can include the following listed below.
- complete dentures, including standard and temporary dentures
- denture repairs, relines and rebases
- placing lining in dentures to condition oral tissues (for comfort and healing)
- complete immediate and overdentures (requires preauthorization)
- partial dentures (requires preauthorization)
For further information on services covered, please visit the Government of Canada website.
How Can I Apply for the CDCP-
Eligible Canadians can apply online or over the phone. Application periods are staggered with 18 to 64 year old becoming eligible in 2024.
All remaining eligible Canadian residents will be eligible later in 2025. Application dates have not been announced.
Eligible patients can apply online here. Those who cannot apply online, can apply by phone: 1-833-537-4342. For TTY call 1-833-677-6262.
At Alberta Dentures, we understand navigating dental benefits in Canada can be daunting. Our team is here to assist with any questions you have about the Canadian benefit providers for dental services, ensuring you maximize the benefits available for your child’s dental care.
Who is eligible-
To enroll in this plan, individuals must satisfy the eligibility requirements outlined below.
Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
Filed an income tax return for the previous year.
Do not have dental insurance through a private or pension plan or with an employer.
Have a net (after tax) family income of less than $90,000 annually.
After applying, Health Canada will verify your eligibility and forward your information to Sun Life to enroll you in the plan. Within three months of your application, you will receive a welcome package from Sun Life containing the following:
- The start date of your coverage
- Your membership card
- Details about the CDCP
Once enrolled, you will need to meet the eligibility criteria each year through an annual reassessment. For those who enrolled in 2024, coverage will remain active until June 30, 2025.
