The Canadian Dental Care Plan
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal government program that is intended to provide coverage for Canadian residents who do not have dental benefits and have a household income of less than $90,000 a year.
Filling in the Facts About the CDCP
Here's what every Calgary patient should know before using their CDCP benefits.
- Dental care under the CDCP is expected to start in May 2024.
- The CDCP is a dental benefit administered by Health Canada. It is not a free dental program.
- Patients will be required to make a co-payment depending on adjusted family net income:
- No co-payment for adjusted annual family net income under $70,000
- 40% co-payment for income between $70,000–$79,999
- 60% co-payment for income between $80,000–$89,999
- Patients may have to pay costs the CDCP does not cover.
- Not all dental services are covered under the CDCP.
- Before proceeding with treatment, understand your dental care costs.
- Tell your dental provider if you plan to use CDCP benefits.
- Visit canada.ca/dental to learn more.
CDCP New Coverage in Calgary: Supporting Smiles for All Ages
At Bow River Dental, we are thrilled to announce an exciting Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) update! We've expanded our coverage to include seniors and children under 18 because we believe everyone deserves a healthy smile. Located right here in the heart of Calgary, AB, we understand the importance of taking care of your loved ones, and this expansion is our way of making dental care more accessible and stress-free for families in our community. Let us help you keep those smiles bright, healthy, and full of joy—without the worry of costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tap any question below to expand the answer.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is now open to all eligible Canadians, regardless of age.
To qualify, you must:
- Be a Canadian resident
- Have no access to private dental insurance
- Have a family net income under $90,000
- Have filed your 2024 tax return
Eligible individuals can apply online, by phone, or through a Service Canada Centre. For full details and to apply, visit canada.ca/dental
The federal government has opened application for the CDCP in phases starting in December 2023. Seniors who are eligible will receive letters inviting them to apply, with instructions on how to validate their eligibility and apply by telephone. Letters from the government will be sent according to the following age groups:
- December 2023: Ages 87 and above
- January 2024: Ages 77 to 86
- February 2024: Ages 72 to 76
- March 2024: Ages 70 to 71
In May 2024, an online application portal will be open for seniors 65 and older. If you have a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate or have a child under the age of 18, you will be able to apply online as of June 2024. All remaining eligible Canadians will be able to apply online in 2025. For more information on eligibility, visit canada.ca/dental
Examples of services that could be covered under the CDCP when recommended by your dentist include:
- Preventive services, including scaling (cleaning), polishing, sealants, and fluoride;
- Diagnostic services, including examinations and X-rays;
- Restorative services, including fillings;
- Endodontic services, including root canal treatments;
- Prosthodontic services, including complete and partial removable dentures;
- Periodontal services, including deep scaling; and
- Oral surgery services, including extractions.
Every group has a different level of coverage so that will impact your level of co-payment and also the remaining balance billed by the dental clinic. It is best to call Health Canada to discuss your specific coverage. For more information on services covered, access the CDCP Dental Benefits Guide.
If you are eligible for existing provincial government programs, you will still be able to apply for the CDCP. Benefits will be coordinated between the programs, which means that your coverage will not be duplicated. The federal government is now working with the provinces and territories to figure out how this will work. Health Canada has committed to clarifying which programs will be the first and last payer before services begin as early as May of 2024.
Not having access to dental insurance is defined as:
- no dental insurance through your employer or a family member's employer benefits, including health and wellness accounts;
- no dental insurance through your pension (previous employer) or a family member's pension benefits; or
- no dental insurance purchased by yourself or by a family member or through a group plan from an insurance or benefits company.
The government has said that the CDCP is not intended to replace existing workplace or private dental benefits. It is meant for Canadians who do not have dental benefits. If you have existing insurance, you SHOULD NOT cancel your insurance as not all details of the CDCP are public knowledge at this point. You're still considered to have access to dental insurance if you choose to opt out of available benefits like these.
Once you've applied through Health Canada and they confirm that you qualify, your information will be shared with Sun Life, who will enroll you in the CDCP. Sun Life will then send you your coverage start date and member card. The start date to access care under the CDCP depends on the date you were enrolled. You should contact the government with any specific questions regarding your eligibility under the CDCP.
Group Application Open Seniors aged 87 and above Started December 2023 Adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate Starting June 2024 Children under the age of 18 Starting June 2024 All remaining eligible Canadian residents Starting 2025 No. It's better to continue getting regular dental checkups now to catch problems before they become painful and expensive to treat, and apply for the plan when you are eligible to do so.
We don't know and this should concern us all. Two-thirds of Canadians have great dental benefits from their work, school, or other group plan. These plans give them a choice of dentist, and the right to choose what dental care they get. Dentists believe that the CDCP should improve access to care for people who don't have benefits. It shouldn't take away the benefits that people already have.
For official details and to apply, visit canada.ca/dental.
Looking for a new dentist? We'd love to meet you.
We're welcoming patients of all ages to our family dental clinic in NW Calgary. Book your first visit online — most appointments available the same week.