Canadian Dental Care Plan | Cy Becker Dental

Access to affordable dental care is important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, but the cost of treatment can sometimes make regular dental visits difficult. The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program designed to help make dental care more affordable for eligible Canadian residents.

If you are considering the Canadian Dental Care Plan, understanding eligibility requirements, covered services, potential costs, and how the plan works can help you prepare for dental appointments.

What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a federal dental benefit program that helps cover a portion of eligible oral healthcare costs for qualifying Canadian residents.

Applications for the 2026–2027 benefit period are currently open. Eligibility is based on several requirements, including household income, Canadian tax residency, tax filing, and access to private dental insurance.

The plan does not necessarily cover the full cost of every dental service. Patients may have co-payments or additional charges depending on their circumstances and the treatment they receive.

Who May Be Eligible?

To qualify for the CDCP, applicants must meet all of the current eligibility requirements.

These include:

• Not having access to private dental insurance or dental coverage
• Having filed the required Canadian tax return
• Having an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000
• Being a Canadian resident for tax purposes

Access to private dental insurance can include coverage through an employer, pension plan, family member, professional organization, student organization, or privately purchased dental insurance.

Eligibility is reviewed by the Government of Canada, and applicants may be asked to provide documentation if information needs to be verified.

What Dental Services Can Be Covered?

The CDCP covers a range of oral healthcare services when they are recommended by an oral health provider and meet the plan's requirements.

Covered services can include:

• Dental examinations
• X-rays
• Dental cleanings and scaling
• Fluoride applications
• Sealants
• Permanent fillings
• Certain periodontal treatments
• Root canal treatments
• Dentures
• Some oral surgery services

Some treatments or services may require preauthorization before treatment is provided. Orthodontic services are currently not available under the CDCP.

Coverage can also depend on established CDCP fees, frequency limits, treatment requirements, and other plan conditions.

How Much Does the CDCP Cover?

The amount covered depends partly on the patient's adjusted family net income.

For the current benefit period, the Government of Canada states that:

• Families with adjusted family net income below $70,000 may have 100% of eligible costs covered at established CDCP fees.
• Those with income between $70,000 and $79,999 may have 60% covered.
• Those with income between $80,000 and $89,999 may have 40% covered.

These percentages apply to eligible services at the CDCP-established fees. Patients may still have additional costs if a provider's fees are higher than the CDCP fees or if they choose services that are not covered.

For this reason, patients should ask their dental provider about expected out-of-pocket costs before beginning treatment.

Does the CDCP Pay the Patient Directly?

The CDCP reimburses oral health providers rather than paying patients directly for covered services.

Patients should confirm with their dental provider whether the provider will bill Sun Life directly for covered CDCP services and whether there will be any additional amount to pay at the appointment.

This can help avoid unexpected costs and clarify what the patient is responsible for before treatment begins.

What Should Patients Ask Their Dentist?

If you are planning to use the Canadian Dental Care Plan, it can be helpful to discuss your coverage with the dental office before treatment.

Consider asking:

• Does the dental office accept or bill through the CDCP?
• Is my planned treatment covered?
• Does the treatment require preauthorization?
• What portion may be covered by the CDCP?
• Will I have a co-payment?
• Are there additional fees that I should expect?
• What amount will I need to pay directly?

Cy Becker Dental can be a starting point for patients who want to discuss their dental needs and understand what information may be required before receiving treatment.

Why Understanding Your Coverage Matters

The CDCP can help eligible patients access a range of dental services, but coverage is subject to specific rules. Not every treatment is automatically covered, and the amount paid by the plan may differ depending on income, established fees, treatment requirements, and other factors.

Understanding these details before an appointment can help patients make informed decisions about their dental care and potential expenses.

Final Thoughts

The Canadian Dental Care Plan provides dental benefits to eligible Canadian residents who meet the program's requirements. It can contribute toward a variety of preventive, diagnostic, restorative, and other oral healthcare services.

If you believe you may qualify, review the current Government of Canada eligibility requirements and speak with your dental provider about coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs before receiving treatment. Plan rules can change, so checking the official CDCP information is important when making decisions about your dental care.