What is CDCP?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a government program designed to help eligible Canadians access essential dental care at a more affordable cost. The plan helps reduce financial barriers that may prevent individuals and families from receiving the dental treatment they need to maintain good oral health.
CDCP coverage can assist with a variety of preventive and restorative dental services, helping patients receive important care without the stress of overwhelming dental expenses. Our team is happy to help patients understand their coverage, review eligibility, and guide them through the process so they can access the dental care they deserve with greater confidence and peace of mind.
Who qualifies?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has specific eligibility guidelines in place to help Canadians who may not currently have access to dental coverage. In general, individuals may qualify for the program if they do not have dental insurance through their employer, school, spouse, or pension benefits.
To be eligible, applicants must also have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000 per year, be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, and have filed their taxes in Canada for the previous year. Eligibility and coverage levels may vary depending on household income and other factors. Our team can help answer questions about the CDCP and assist patients in understanding how the program may apply to their dental care needs.
The CDCP site lays out the qualifications as follows:
For those without coverage:
This means you do not have access to any type of dental insurance or coverage through:
- Your employment benefits or a family member’s employment benefits, including health and wellness accounts
- A professional or student organization
Note: If you’re eligible for dental coverage through your employment benefits or through a professional or student organization, you’re not eligible for CDCP. This is true even if:
- You decide not to take it
- You have to pay a premium for it
- You don’t use it
- Your pension benefits or a family member’s pension benefits
- this includes federal, provincial and territorial government employer pension plans
- Exception: You may be eligible for the CDCP if you’re retired and:
- You opted out of pension benefits before December 11, 2023, and
- You can’t opt back in under the pension rules
- Coverage purchased by you or a family member or through a group plan from an insurance or benefits company
What services are covered?
The CDCP covers various services, from preventative, such as regular cleanings to oral surgeries. Some services and treatments may require preapproval beforehand.
Diagnostic and Preventative
Intended to evaluate your oral health status, to keep your teeth, gums and mouth healthy and to prevent cavities and gum disease. Services covered include:
• a range of dental exams, including complete, routine, specific and emergency exams
- x-rays
- cleaning (scaling)
- fluoride applications
- sealants
Basic Services
Restorative services
Intended to treat decayed or fractured teeth. Services covered include:
- permanent fillings
- temporary fillings
- pain control for diseased teeth
- other treatments for cavities
Endodontic services
Intended to treat teeth that are severely decayed, infected or broken. Services covered include:
- root canal treatments
- pulpectomies (first step of a root canal treatment)
- procedures to reduce infection and provide temporary pain relief
- retreatment of previously completed root canal treatment (requires preauthorization)
Periodontal services
Intended to treat areas around the teeth, including gums and bone supporting the teeth. Services covered include:
- cleaning under the gumline
- treatment of abscesses
- bonding for mobile teeth (requires preauthorization)
- post-surgical evaluations (requires preauthorization)
- non-surgical gum disease management
Major Services
Restorative services
Intended to restore teeth with a more extensive procedure when teeth are too damaged to be restored by basic fillings.
• posts and post removal
• repairs to crowns and rebonding of crowns and posts
• crowns (requires preauthorization)
• cores (to support crowns) (requires preauthorization)
• posts for crown (requires preauthorization)
Removable prosthodontic services
Intended to replace missing teeth. Services covered include:
• 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)
• initial placement of partial dentures (requires preauthorization)
• replacement of partial dentures
Oral surgery
Intended to remove teeth or tumours or fix other problems in the mouth and jaw requiring surgical intervention. Services covered include:
• removal of teeth and roots
• surgical removal of tumours and cysts
• surgical incisions, including draining
• treatments for jaw bone fractures
Anesthetic or Sedation Services
Additional services are provided in support of another services. Services covered include:
• minimal sedation (conscious)
• moderate sedation (requires preauthorization)
• deep sedation (requires preauthorization)
• general anaesthesia (requires preauthorization)
Orthodontic Services
Some orthodontic services will be added to the CDCP starting in 2025. Orthodontic services will only be covered in cases of medical need based on stringent criteria and will include a maximum spending limit.
For more information, visit the CDCP site.
FAQ's
Have you got a question? We have an answer!
Yes! Toothcrew Family Dental is proud to be a dentist accepting CDCP patients. We welcome new and existing patients who qualify for the program.
You can apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan online through the Government of Canada’s website or by mail. Once approved, you’ll receive a benefits card that you can bring to our office.
Depending on your income level, you may have to pay a co-payment. Some services may only be partially covered or require pre-approval. Our team will help you understand your coverage before your appointment.
Absolutely! If you’re looking for a dentist near you who accepts the Canadian Dental Care Plan, Toothcrew Family Dental is here to help. We’re currently accepting new CDCP patients.
To book your appointment at a CDCP dental clinic in Douglasdale, Quarry park, Riverbend and surrounding areas of SE Calgary, call us or use our online booking form. Let us know you’re using the CDCP when scheduling your visit.