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