Dental questions & answers.
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Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) Questions
The CDCP is a federal public dental care program aimed at providing essential dental services to eligible Canadian residents. It focuses on improving access to dental care and making oral health services more affordable. Learn more.
Yes, emergency dental care is fully covered under the CDCP, and you do not have to wait for pre-authorization approval. If you are experiencing severe mouth pain, an active infection, or a fractured tooth, you can see a participating CDCP dentist immediately. The plan deliberately bypasses the standard waiting periods for urgent scenarios so patients can get relief without administrative delays.
Under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), the divide between treatments that require pre-authorization and those that don’t comes down to cost, complexity, and public fund management.
To keep the system fast for daily care while protecting taxpayer dollars for major work, the government divides treatments into two distinct categories: essential treatments you need right away, and complex treatments that can be scheduled later or broken into smaller phases.
- No Pre-Authorization Required (Routine Care): Cleanings, standard fillings, regular X-rays, checkups, and simple extractions.
- Pre-Authorization Required (Major Care): Crowns, partial or immediate dentures, complex molar root canals, and oral surgery.
- For adults aged 17 and older, the CDCP covers a standard limit of 4 units of scaling (dental cleaning) per 12 months.
- One unit equals 15 minutes of cleaning time, meaning the plan covers 1 hour of scaling per year.
- Whether you can get a second cleaning covered in the same year depends entirely on your oral health needs, divided into these three options:
Option 1: You have severe gum disease (Additional Units via Pre-Authorization)
If you suffer from advanced gum disease (periodontitis) and 1 hour of cleaning is not enough, your dentist can request additional scaling units.
Option 2: You share your 4 units across two appointments (Pacing Your Coverage) If your teeth are relatively clean and you do not need much work, your dental hygienist might only use 2 units (30 minutes) during your first visit.
Option 3: You pay out-of-pocket for the extra time (Self-Funding).
No, you cannot get dental work done on the same day your application is approved.
Even though Service Canada may approve your application instantly, your coverage does not start right away. Your profile must first be sent to Sun Life, who will issue you a specific benefit coverage start date (effective date) that is usually set a few weeks or a month into the future.
How to Check Your Start Date: Your exact coverage date will be clearly printed on the welcome letter you receive by mail, or you can find it instantly by logging into your My Service Canada Account (MSCA).
No Retroactive Pay: The CDCP will absolutely not pay for any dental work completed before your official start date arrives. If you go to the dentist early, you will have to pay the entire bill out of pocket.
Important Reminder: Always wait until your official CDCP effective date has arrived before booking your first appointment, and confirm your clinic accepts the plan! e the same day my application is approved?
No, 100% coverage does not guarantee your appointments will be completely free. The CDCP established fee grid, which is often lower than what your dentist actually charges. If your dentist charges standard provincial rates, you must pay the difference out of pocket. This is called “balance billing.” Always ask your clinic for a cost estimate before your appointment so you know exactly what you will owe.
The renewal window for the 2026–2027 CDCP benefit year runs from April 15, 2026, to June 1, 2026. However, if you miss the renewal deadline but are still eligible for this dental coverage, you can still submit a completely new application starting June 2, 2026.
No, you can only apply to renew your coverage after filing your taxes and receiving your Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency.
Renew your CDCP coverage as soon as you have filed your tax return (the renewal window officially opens on April 15). You must submit your renewal by June 1 to ensure there is enough time for processing before the current benefit year wraps up on June 30. Renewing by the June 1 deadline is the only way to avoid a temporary gap in your dental coverage.
Yes, you need to renew CDCP every year after filing your tax return.
You can check online by going to the official Canada.ca CDCP portal, or by calling the official CDCP line at 1-833-537-4342. In both cases, you will need your Social Insurance Number (SIN) so the system can identify you.
You can call service Canada (CDCP Direct Toll-Free Line: 1-833-537-4342), update My Service Canada Account (MSCA), or just don’t use it at renewal time.
No, the CDCP is definitely not free. The government covers dental bills using a sliding scale based strictly on income, covering either 100%, 60%, or 40% of the government-approved rates. However, patients may still face out-of-pocket expenses due to balance billing—the difference between CDCP-approved fees and a specific dentist’s standard pricing—and frequency limits, meaning you must pay the full cost for any service that exceeds the standard annual allowance.
No, you can’t. Having private insurance instantly makes you ineligible to apply for the CDCP. If you receive private dental coverage after being approved for the CDCP, you must notify Service Canada immediately about the changes and stop using your CDCP coverage.
The CDCP will be the primary program billed for the treatment, if a patient holds both a provincial dental coverage plan and the CDCP at the same time. The provincial coverage can then step in as the secondary payer to cover remaining costs or leftover balances. Meanwhile, there are three other federal programs that take absolute priority over the CDCP and must be billed first: the Non-Insured Health Benefits program (NIHB, for eligible First Nations and Inuit individuals), the Veterans Affairs Canada Dental Services Program (VAC), and the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).
You can apply for the CDCP online through the official application portal. To complete your application, you’ll need to provide personal details, proof of residency, and other required documentation. If you need help, assistance is available through trusted individuals or delegates.
An adjusted family net income under $90,000, zero private dental coverage, and a filed tax return for the previous year are the major requirements to be qualified for the CDCP. You can also use our eligibility checker tool.
All Canadian residents, who have filed your tax return, have an adjusted family net income under $90,000, and have zero access to private dental insurance. The plan is now fully open to all age groups, with the government covering 40% to 100% of the allowed fees depending strictly on your income bracket.
The CDCP covers a wide variety of dental services, including:
- Oral Surgery: Extractions and other necessary surgical procedures.
- Preventive Care: Cleanings, check-ups, fluoride treatments, and sealants.
- Diagnostic Services: Dental exams and X-rays.
- Restorative Treatments: Fillings and crowns to repair damaged teeth.
- Endodontic Procedures: Root canals for treating tooth infections.
- Prosthodontic Services: Complete and partial dentures.
- Periodontal Care: Deep cleaning for gum health.
Most of our clinics are happy to welcome patients under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Our Find your dentist page includes an easy filter to display only clinics accepting CDCP patients.
We also have several pages of information about CDCP to help patients learn about and apply for CDCP coverage. Visit our CDCP page to learn more.
Stay up-to-date by regularly visiting this website and other official government resources. These sources provide the latest information on eligibility, coverage, application processes, and any changes to the CDCP.
Yes, you can switch to another participating dentist at any time. Simply use the CDCP directory to find a new provider who meets your preferences and needs.
- Check are your tax information and Social Insurance Number (SIN) to make sure they match your application details.
- If you are absolutely sure you are eligible, you can call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342 to find out the exact reason for the denial.
- Once you learn why your application was rejected, you can officially file an appeal or submit a review form to fix the error.
You can easily locate a CDCP-participating dentist using the Find Your Dentist search tool. The tool allows you to search by location, services offered, operating hours, languages spoken, and other preferences to find the right dental provider for your needs.
Orthodontic services aimed at improving oral health will be covered by the CDCP starting in 2025. These treatments will require preauthorization to ensure eligibility and coverage.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) covers a variety of preventive services, including routine dental check-ups, professional cleanings, fluoride applications, and sealants to help prevent cavities and maintain good oral health.
Yes, the CDCP provides coverage for restorative treatments, such as fillings to repair cavities and crowns to restore the shape and function of damaged teeth.
Yes, the CDCP covers emergency dental services to help with urgent dental issues, such as severe pain or infections, ensuring you get prompt care when needed.
Yes, you may need to cover costs that exceed the CDCP’s established fees or for services not included in the plan. Before starting any treatment, discuss potential out-of-pocket costs with your dental provider to avoid surprises.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) covers a portion of your dental care costs based on your adjusted family net income. Coverage percentages range from 40% to 100% of the established CDCP fees. Higher income brackets may require co-payments. Learn more.
Yes, you can get help from a trusted person or a delegate. This can be a family member, friend, or legal representative who is authorized to complete and submit the application on your behalf.
To apply for the CDCP, you’ll need to provide:
- Confirmation that you have filed your most recent tax return
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Date of birth
- Full name
- Home and mailing address
- Details of any existing dental coverage through government programs
On June 2, 2026, applications officially opened for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) 2026–2027 benefit year.
All ages are now eligible to apply at the same time. Learn more.
Yes, if the family is eligible, you can apply for CDCP coverage for your children. However, a parent or guardian must apply for each family member separately, as it is not a group or family application. Learn more.
To verify eligibility for the CDCP, you will need:
- Proof of income (such as a Notice of Assessment from the CRA).
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN).