Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

The CDCP is a federal initiative aimed at making oral healthcare more accessible for low- and middle-income Canadians. The plan reduces out-of-pocket costs for essential dental services, helping more people maintain healthy smiles.

You may be eligible if you:

• Are a Canadian resident for tax purposes
• Have an adjusted household income below $90,000
• Don’t have access to private dental insurance

Eligible Canadian residents will be able to apply to the CDCP  through the Government of Canada website or contact Service Canada. You’ll need to verify your identity, income, and insurance status. Make sure your CRA account is updated. It has been observed that there is a strong association between premature birth or low birth weight in babies of mothers with gum disease. Therefore, it is highly recommended to undergo regular professional dental cleaning during pregnancy. No X-rays are taken during the checkups for pregnant women.

Once deemed eligible, Canadian residents’ information will be shared by Service Canada to Sun Life for CDCP enrolment. Once enrolled, individuals that are covered under the CDCP will receive a welcome package with coverage details (including a member card and their coverage start date). The coverage start date is determined based on when an individual’s application was received and when an individual was enrolled in the CDCP.

The CDCP typically covers:

• Dental exams and X-rays
• Professional cleanings
• Fillings and tooth extractions
• Root canals (retreatments only with pre-authorization))
• Dentures (partial only with pre-authorization)
• Crowns (Only with pre-authorization)
• Root planning (Only with pre-authorization)

View complete list of services that are covered  by the CDCP.

The CDCP does not cover:

• Cosmetic dentistry (e.g., whitening)
• Implants and bridges
• Night guards and other appliances
• Orthodontic treatments (except in special cases)
• Some specialist treatments (unless referred and approved)

No. You cannot participate in the CDCP if you have access to private dental insurance through an employer or individually.

Yes, the CDCP is available in Quebec and works alongside the province’s existing public dental programs. Quebec residents must still apply through the federal process.

Most eligible patients can receive:

• 1 cleaning and 1 checkup per year,
• Other necessary treatments as recommended by your dentist

CDCP members are required to complete an annual renewal application to confirm their eligibility under the CDCP. The renewal application period is between March 1st through June 1st. For more information about the renewal process, visit the Government of Canada  website during this time frame.

Most applications are processed within 4–6 weeks. To avoid delays, make sure your CRA and Service Canada records are accurate.

Only you can use your member card. Family members that are covered under the CDCP will get their own member card once their enrolment is approved.

Your coverage must be in effect at the time of your dental appointment. You need to make sure your appointment is booked on or after your benefit effective date. The benefit effective date is included in the welcome package, but it’s not included on the member card.

We will bill and receive payment directly from Sun Life for services and amount covered under the plan.  You are responsible for paying any outstanding amount to the clinic, as applicable.

As most dental clinics in Quebec, at Pointe-Claire dental we follow the dental fee guide by the Association de Chirurgiens dentistes du Quebec. The balance to pay at the clinic corresponds to the difference between the amount paid by the CDCP (which will vary based on your adjusted income) and the ACDQ fee guide.  If the services you agree to receive are not covered at all you will be responsible for 100% of the fees.