Dental Coverage Canada: What is Covered Under the CDCP

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federally funded program to provide dental coverage in Canada for people without private insurance. If you are wondering what it actually includes—and what it doesn’t—this guide offers you a practical breakdown of dental coverage Canada residents are able to access through the CDCP.

From covered procedures to common exclusions, here’s what you need to know about how dental coverage in Canada works under the CDCP.

Who Can Get Dental Coverage In Canada Through CDCP?

To be eligible for dental coverage Canada, through CDCP, you need to:

• Live in Canada
• Have no private or employer-sponsored dental insurance
• Have filed a tax return last year
• Have an adjusted family net income below $90,000

Your coverage level depends on your income. The lower you are within certain income brackets, the more the CDCP will cover.

What Dental Services Are Covered In Canada Under The CDCP?

Dental coverage under the CDCP plan focuses on essential dental care to help prevent and treat common oral health issues. These services form the foundation of public dental coverage Canada now offers through this federal program. Covered services include:

• Regular checkups and exams
• Emergency visits
• Dental X-rays
• Cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants
• Fillings and temporary crowns
• Root canals
• Tooth extractions
• Repairs and relines for dentures
• Treatment for gum disease (scaling and root planing)
• Certain oral surgeries

Keep in mind that the plan follows a national fee guide. If your dentist charges more than the listed amount, you will be responsible for paying the difference.

What Is Not Included In Your Dental Coverage Canada Under CDCP ?

While the CDCP covers many essential services, it doesn’t pay for everything. Here’s what it typically excludes: Aesthetic and non-essential procedures are classified as exclusions—meaning they are completely outside the scope of the CDCP and will not be covered under any circumstances. Some services that are not covered by CDCP include:

• Teeth whitening, bleaching
• Veneers
• Cosmetic crowns
• Dental implants
• Deep sedation not approved under the plan
• Anything not listed in the CDCP’s benefit guide
• Specialized protective appliances: Night guards, sports mouthguards
• Most Orthodontics: Braces, clear aligners (like Invisalign) as for 2026 are not covered. However, Health Canada has announced the intent to look into orthodontic care for children under 18 with severe, medically necessary structural abnormalities in future, without any further details and timeframes for now.

If you are unsure about a specific treatment, your dental provider can request preauthorization to check if it’s eligible.

Does Canada Disability Cover Dental Procedures?

If you are receiving disability support, dental benefits vary depending on your province. Let’s take, for example, Ontario’s disability program. This particular program includes basic dental care, but some other provinces may only cover emergency treatments. If your income and insurance status meet the CDCP’s criteria, you may still qualify for additional support through the federal plan.

Alternative Provincial Dental Coverage In Canada

In addition to the CDCP, several provinces also offer their own dental assistance:

Alberta

• Programs Available: Alberta Adult Health Benefit, Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors (DOAS), Alberta Child Health Benefit (ACHB).
• What it Covers: Selected dental benefits distributed across low-income families, children, and qualifying seniors.

British Columbia

• Programs Available: Ministry-sponsored dental assistance programs.
• What it Covers: Essential dental support targeted toward individuals and families receiving income or disability assistance.

Newfoundland & Labrador

• Programs Available: Adult Dental Program.
• What it Covers: Long-term, co-existing dental benefit alongside PEI’s program. It delivers expanded routine and emergency treatment options specifically for low-income adults.

Nova Scotia

• Programs Available: Children’s Oral Health Program.
• What it Covers: Basic dental care coverage tailored specifically for children aged 14 and younger.

Ontario

• Programs Available: Healthy Smiles Ontario and Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP).
• What it Covers: A two-pronged approach providing dental care to children aged 17 and under from low-income households, alongside dedicated support for low-income seniors.

Prince Edward Island

• Programs Available: Provincial Dental Care Program.
• What it Covers: Long-term, co-existing dental benefit alongside Newfoundland’s program. It provides expanded routine and urgent dental care for low-income adults.

Quebec

• Programs Available: RAMQ (Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec).
• What it Covers: Publicly funded dental care focused on children under the age of 10, as well as individuals receiving social assistance.

Some of these programs may change as the federal CDCP expands, adding to the evolving landscape of dental coverage Canada offers through both national and provincial support.

Why Sun Life Is Involved In Providing Dental Coverage Canada Through CDCP?

Although the CDCP is a government plan, it’s administered by Sun Life to help manage things like payments and paperwork. Sun Life doesn’t decide what is covered or who qualifies. That is handled by Health Canada Guideline. This setup allows dental coverage Canada programs to function smoothly using a private administrator—without changing its public nature.

Income-Based Dental Coverage In Canada and Co-payment

Your household income determines your coverage tier. Here’s how it breaks down:

Adjusted Family Net Income	CDCP Coverage	Co-Payment
Under $70,000	100%	$0
$70,000–$79,999	60%	40%
$80,000–$89,999	40%	60%
$90,000+	Not eligible	N/A

I Have100% CDCP Coverage Why Out of Pocket Payment in Canada Occurs?

Balance billing, non-covered services and co-payment increased, and frequency caps—are top 4 reasons of out of pocket payment even when you have 100% CDCP coverage:

• Balance Billing: Even with full coverage, you may still pay out of pocket if your provider’s rates are higher than the CDCP fee guide.
• Non-covered services: Some services, that can be a part of others can not be eligible for CDCP coverage. Example on the top of the mind, deep sedation, that isn’t not approved under the plan. Another example, services with preauthorization required that haven’t been approved.
• Co-payments increase: While receiving 100% coverage as a household earning under $70,000, if your adjusted family net income increases, you may be a subject of changes (e.g., earning $70,000–$89,999 means the plan covers 40% to 60%, and not 100%)
• Frequency Limits: The CDCP limits how often certain services are covered (e.g., the number of cleanings per year). If you choose to have a service performed more frequently than the plan allows, or if you request a non-covered service, you will be responsible for the full cost of that treatment. 

How to avoid out of pocket expenses?

• Request a pre-treatment estimate: Always request costs & coverage breakdown first to see what is covered.
• Confirm co-payments and balance billing: Know exactly how much you will owe out of pocket before the work starts.
• Wait for approval on pre-authorized services: Do not book the treatment until Sun Life sends back to clinic approval.
• Verify direct billing: Ensure the dental office bills the CDCP directly to Sun Life so you aren’t paying the full invoice upfront.
• Consider financing options: Have a backup plan to cover any remaining out-of-pocket balances if needed.
• Planning your treatment ahead, check CDCP frequency limits that may occur during one tax year.

How To Use Your CDCP Dental Benefits

After you’re approved, here’s what you can do:

• Find a participating dentist
• Bring your approval details and CDCP Sun Life card to your visit
• Ask for an estimate before treatment begins to check any out of pocket and balance billing.
• Get preauthorization for more complex procedures, if required.

There are no monthly fees or deductibles, making the CDCP one of the more accessible dental coverage options in Canada.

What If Something Is Not Covered?

If you find a treatment isn’t covered, you’re not without options:

• Ask if a similar, covered treatment is available
• Discuss payment plans with your provider
• Look into additional support from your province
• Explore private insurance for specific needs like orthodontics
• Check financing options available

It’s a good idea to revisit your dental needs regularly to make sure you’re covered as your situation evolves.

How Does Canadian Dental Care Plan Frequency Caps Work?

Some frequency limits are listed below. For more granular limits, please check with your dentist during the pre-treatment estimate.

• Routine/Recall Exams: C overed 1 time in any 12-month period
• Complete Oral Exams: Allowed 1 time every 60 months (5 years)
• Specific/Emergency Exams: Exams are limited to 1 every 12 months, and the emergency exams have no frequency limits
• Crowns: Strictly limited to 4 crowns every 120 months (10 years) per patient, and a maximum of 1 crown every 96 months (8 years) per individual tooth. All crowns may require pre-authorization. (please check with your dentist)
• Complete Immediate Dentures: As for 2026, immediate dentures (placed right after teeth are extracted) don’t require pre-authorization. However, they are limited to 1 prosthesis per arch, per lifetime
• Denture Relining / Rebasing: Limited to once every 36 months (3 years).

Visiting a Dentist Under CDCP

Not every dentist in Canada takes part in the CDCP. When booking, confirm:

• Whether they accept the plan
• If their fees align with the CDCP guide

If they don’t participate, you’ll either need to pay up front and seek reimbursement (if possible), or visit a different provider who does.

Is CDCP Enough For Most People?

The CDCP is a big step forward, especially for low-income Canadians. But it’s not a full replacement for private insurance. Consider:

• It covers basics well
• Major procedures may only be partially covered
• Cosmetic and elective procedures are excluded

For many people, the CDCP will provide critical support—but others may still benefit from added savings or insurance to round out the dental coverage Canada currently provides.

Moving Forward With Dental Coverage Canada Plans

Canada’s CDCP marks a major expansion in public dental coverage. It’s not perfect, but it’s a solid start toward making oral health care more equitable and affordable for those who need it most.

In 2026, we want to draw your attention to a few key changes that could directly impact your dental care:

• Preauthorization: Some services (e.g., crowns, complex oral surgery) require your dentist to submit a treatment plan for approval before the work is done.  

• Exceptions: If you require care beyond these frequency caps due to specific medical or clinical needs, your provider can request an exception through the preauthorization process.  

• 2026 Update: As of 2026, frequency limits for exams and restorations are no longer tied to a specific dental office or provider, meaning the limits apply to you as a patient regardless of where you receive care.