Direct Answer — What Does the CDCP Cover?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) covers a wide range of oral health services for eligible Ontarians with no private dental insurance and an adjusted family net income under $90,000. Covered services include exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings, root canals, periodontal treatment, dentures, oral surgery, and sedation. Dental implants, veneers, teeth whitening, and most cosmetic procedures are not covered. The plan is not free; co-payments apply based on household income.
| $90K
Maximum adjusted family net income to qualify |
100%
CDCP fee covered for households earning under $70,000 |
~9M
Canadians expected to benefit from the plan |
1 in 4
Canadians who skip the dentist due to cost each year* |
*Source: Canadian Press / Health Canada, 2025. The CDCP was designed specifically to address this access gap.
What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal government program managed by Health Canada and administered by Sun Life. It launched its phased rollout in December 2023, beginning with seniors aged 87 and older, and expanded to all eligible Canadians by mid-2025. The federal government allocated approximately $13 billion over five years for implementation, with $4.4 billion annually thereafter.
The plan targets Canadians who have no access to private or employer dental benefits and who fall within the household income threshold. It is important to understand from the outset:the CDCP is a dental benefit, not a free dental program. You may still face co-payments and additional charges depending on your income and your dentist’s fee schedule.
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Who Qualifies for the CDCP in Ontario?
To qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, you must meet all four of the following criteria simultaneously:
- No access to private dental insurance— this includes employer benefits, pension plan benefits, student or professional organization coverage, and personally purchased dental plans. Access disqualifies you even if you choose not to take or use that coverage.
- Filed a Canadian tax return— both you and your spouse or common-law partner (if applicable) must have filed for the previous tax year.
- Adjusted family net income under $90,000— calculated as combined family net income (line 23600 of each partner’s return), minus universal child care benefit and registered disability savings plan income received, plus any repaid UCCB or RDSP amounts.
- Canadian resident for tax purposes.
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Coverage must be renewed annually. You must file your 2025 tax return, receive your Notice of Assessment, and renew at canada.ca/dental before June 1, 2026, to maintain coverage through June 30, 2027. If you don’t renew by this deadline, your CDCP coverage ends June 30, 2026.
What Does the CDCP Cover? A Complete Service Breakdown
The following breakdown reflects coverage as of the current CDCP Dental Benefits Guide. Services are grouped into four tiers based on complexity and whether preauthorization is required before treatment begins.
✅ Covered Without Preauthorization
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🟡 Covered With Preauthorization Required
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🚫 NOT Covered Under the CDCP
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Frequency Limits to Know
The CDCP imposes rolling frequency limits on many services. For example, recall exams are limited to once per 12-month period on a rolling basis. If you had one on April 1, 2025, your next covered exam is April 1, 2026. Your dentist can check your specific coverage limits before any appointment using Sun Life’s coverage look-up tool or by calling 1-888-888-8110.
How Much Does the CDCP Actually Pay? Co-Payments Explained
The most common misconception about the CDCP is that it provides free dental care. It does not. Here is exactly how the cost-sharing works, sourced directly from Health Canada’s official coverage page:
|
Adjusted Family Net Income |
CDCP Pays |
You Pay (Co-Payment) |
|
Under $70,000 |
100% of CDCP fee |
0% but balance billing may apply |
|
$70,000 – $79,999 |
60% of CDCP fee |
40% co-payment + any balance billing |
|
$80,000 – $89,999 |
40% of CDCP fee |
60% co-payment + any balance billing |
|
$90,000 or more |
Not eligible for CDCP |
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What Is Balance Billing?
The CDCP establishes a fee grid, the maximum amount it will reimburse for each procedure. If your dentist charges more than the CDCP grid fee, you pay the difference out of pocket, in addition to any co-payment. For example, if a cleaning is listed at $100 on the CDCP grid but your dentist charges $150, you would pay $50 in balance billing, plus any income-based co-payment on top of that. Always ask your dental office about their fees relative to the CDCP grid before proceeding with treatment.
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What the CDCP Does NOT Cover in Ontario
Understanding the exclusions is as important as understanding the inclusions. The following services are not covered under the current CDCP structure, regardless of your income level:
• Dental implants— the most common gap patients encounter. Implants are a restorative solution not included in the CDCP. If you are missing teeth, the plan covers dentures but not implant-supported restorations. Learn about your implant options at our Kanata dental implants page.
• Cosmetic procedures— veneers, bonding done purely for aesthetic reasons, and teeth whitening are not covered because they do not treat oral disease.
• Fixed bridges— the CDCP covers removable dentures but not fixed bridge restorations.
• Services exceeding frequency limits— if you’ve already used a covered service within its rolling period, additional services are not covered unless preauthorized based on demonstrated clinical need.
• Any fee above the CDCP grid— while not exactly an exclusion, this is a cost gap many patients don’t expect. The plan reimburses only up to its set fees, not what your provider actually charges.
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CDCP and Ontario’s Existing Programs: How They Interact
Ontario residents covered by Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) dental benefit are not excluded from the CDCP; they can apply for and use both. The CDCP pays first, and the provincial program may cover remaining eligible costs up to its own schedule maximums.
One critical insight from the Ontario Dental Association: the CDCP reimburses dental offices at nearly $86 per $100 of treatment, versus roughly $32 under provincial programs. This difference matters practically because it determines how many CDCP-covered patients dentists can afford to see. Enrolling in the CDCP, even if you already have provincial benefits, can expand your access to care.
Ontario Works dental benefits interact differently, as OW is administered at the municipal level with varying local policies. If you receive OW, speak directly with your local OW office or contact our team for guidance specific to your situation.
How to Use Your CDCP Benefits at Your Dental Appointment
Once you receive your Sun Life member card and welcome package confirming your coverage start date, here is what to do before and at your appointment:
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- Confirm your dentist direct bills Sun Life. Participation is voluntary. As of July 2024, dentists can bill claim-by-claim without formal registration, meaning most offices can accept CDCP, but always call ahead to verify.
- Bring your member card or eligibility letter. As of May 2025, a government letter confirming eligibility (including your member ID and coverage start date) is sufficient; you don’t need to wait for your physical card.
- Ask for a treatment estimate before proceeding. Request that your provider use Sun Life’s coverage look-up tool or EDI estimate to confirm exactly what the CDCP will cover and what you will owe before you begin treatment.
- Bring your co-payment determination letter if your income tier changed. If your renewal resulted in a different co-payment level, inform your provider; they need this information to bill correctly.
- Do not pay the full bill upfront. Your provider bills Sun Life directly. You only pay any applicable co-payment and any balance billing above the CDCP grid.
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Our team at Yazdani Family Dentistry participates in the CDCP at our Kanata and Kemptville locations. We will handle the direct-billing process and help you understand exactly what your plan covers before we begin any treatment. Visit our dedicated CDCP information page for details specific to our practice.
What’s Coming to the CDCP: Orthodontics and Future Services
Orthodontic services are not yet available under the CDCP but are expected to be added at a future date to be confirmed by Health Canada. When introduced, orthodontic coverage will only apply to medically necessary cases, assessed using clinical criteria such as the Modified Handicapping Labio-Lingual Deviation (HLD) Index, and will require preauthorization with a maximum spending limit. Standard orthodontic treatment for cosmetic alignment will not qualify.
If you are currently in orthodontic treatment or considering it, do not delay care on the expectation that CDCP will soon cover it. The timeline remains unconfirmed. Explore your options for Invisalign in Kanata or discuss your orthodontic needs at your next preventive exam.
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Dental Coverage Gaps: What Your Plan Might Be Missing
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Canadian Dental Care Plan cover in Ontario?
The CDCP covers diagnostic and preventive services (exams, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride, sealants), basic restorative services (fillings, root canals, gum treatment), major services (crowns and dentures with preauthorization), oral surgery, and sedation. It does not cover dental implants, veneers, whitening, fixed bridges, or purely cosmetic procedures. Orthodontics for medically necessary cases is expected at a future date.
Who is eligible for the CDCP in Ontario?
You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes with no access to any private dental insurance (including employer benefits, pension plans, school plans, or personal coverage), an adjusted family net income under $90,000, and you must have filed a Canadian tax return. You are ineligible even if you have access to dental coverage but choose not to use it.
How much does the CDCP cover — is it really free?
The CDCP is not free dental care. For households earning under $70,000, it covers 100% of the CDCP established fee for eligible services. Income between $70,000–$79,999 requires a 40% co-payment; income between $80,000–$89,999 requires a 60% co-payment. Your dentist may also charge fees above the CDCP grid, which you pay separately. Always ask for a cost estimate before treatment.
Does the CDCP cover dental implants or cosmetic dentistry?
No. The CDCP does not cover dental implants, veneers, teeth whitening, or any purely cosmetic procedure. The plan focuses exclusively on services that prevent and treat oral disease. For tooth replacement, the CDCP covers complete and partial removable dentures (some requiring preauthorization), but not implant-supported restorations.
Can I use the CDCP at Yazdani Family Dentistry?
Yes. Yazdani Family Dentistry accepts CDCP patients at both our Kanata and Kemptville locations and direct bills Sun Life on your behalf. Bring your member card or CDCP eligibility letter to your appointment, and we will confirm your coverage before proceeding with any treatment.
Accuracy Notice: This article reflects CDCP coverage policies as published by Health Canada and the Ontario Dental Association as of March 2026. The CDCP is an evolving program; coverage details, frequency limits, and eligibility rules can change. Always verify your current coverage with your provider or by contacting Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342 before proceeding with treatment.
