Canadian Dental Care Plan Near You
What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal benefit program meant to help eligible Canadians access essential dental care when they don’t have private dental insurance. The government covers a portion of the costs, depending on your income.
It’s not a “free dental program”; you will sometimes share costs via co-payments, especially for bigger treatments. But for many services, it can cut your out-of-pocket burden significantly.
Who Qualifies: Key Eligibility Criteria
To use the Canadian government dental insurance for seniors or for any eligible adult, you must meet certain criteria:
- You must not have access to private dental insurance (this applies to seniors too)
- You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes
- You need to have filed a recent tax return
- Your adjusted family net income must be below CAD 90,000
Being eligible doesn’t automatically guarantee 100% coverage; how much you pay depends on your income bracket.
How Coverage Scales by Income
Here’s how CDCP for seniors and others works, income-wise:
| Adjusted Family Net Income | Government Covers | Your Co-Payment | Extra Balance Billing |
| Under CAD 70,000 | 100% of CDCP fee schedule | 0% | Any amount above CDCP rates |
| CAD 70,000–79,999 | 60% | 40% | Any excess above CDCP rates |
| CAD 80,000–89,999 | 40% | 60% | Any excess above CDCP rates |
For instance, if a scaling procedure has a CDCP fee of CAD 134, but your dentist charges CAD 145:
Under CAD 70,000 → you pay $11
Between CAD 70,000–79,999 → you pay $64.60 (that’s 40% + the $11 difference)
What Services Are Covered
Below are services that the Canadian dental program covers when they’re deemed clinically necessary.
Note: Some services require preauthorization.
- Exams (routine, emergency), cleanings, X-rays, fluoride, sealants
- Fillings, extractions, root canals (endodontic)
- Periodontal treatments (gum disease, cleaning under the gumline)
- Crowns, implants, dentures (major services; often need preauthorization)
- Oral surgery (teeth removal, cysts, incisions)
- Sedation and anesthesia (for more complex procedures; many require preauthorization)
Orthodontic treatments are not broadly covered yet, but limited coverage for medical necessity is expected in mid-2025
How to Apply and Start Using CDCP
Here’s a simple path:
- Confirm your eligibility per the criteria above
- Apply via the official federal process (online, by phone, or by mail)
- Provide required documents, like SIN, proof of income, tax filing, and declaration of no private dental insurance
- Once approved, you’ll get a welcome letter with your benefit start date and membership ID
Visit a dentist near you (like us at ToothMatters Dental) who is a CDCP provider in North York, and we’ll bill the program directly.
Tips for Seniors Using CDCP
If your income is under CAD 70,000, many routine services may be fully covered.
- Get preauthorization for big treatments (crowns, implants) ahead of time.
- Ask your clinic whether they bill strictly at CDCP rates or charge more.
- Renew your application each year to keep coverage uninterrupted.
- Receive preventive care like exams and cleanings regularly, as they do not need preauthorization.
What ToothMatters Dental Does for You
At ToothMatters Dental, our team makes the Canadian Dental Care Plan in North York stress-free.
- Our team is a CDCP provider dental clinic in North York, and we bill your provider directly by checking your eligibility before booking to ensure you can use the benefit.
- We can submit preauthorization requests for more complex treatments
- After approval, you can receive an estimate of what you’ll pay, based on your income and any fees above CDCP rates
We’re committed to easing access to dental care under the Canada dental program, especially for CDCP patients in North York who don’t have private dental coverage.
If CDCP is something you are looking then we at ToothMatters Dental have your needs covered. Book an appointment with us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for using CDCP?
Your adjusted family net income must be below CAD 90,000.
Does CDCP cover seniors?
Yes, the Canadian government dental plan for seniors covers dental care for seniors. They can benefit from full or partial coverage depending on income.
What services does CDCP cover?
It covers preventive, restorative (fillings, root canals), periodontal, crowns, dentures, oral surgery, anesthesia, etc. Some require preauthorization.
Are orthodontics covered?
Not generally. Only limited orthodontic care for medical necessity is expected mid-2025.
If I already have private insurance, can I still use CDCP?
No. CDCP is for people without access to private dental insurance, even if that plan is unused.
How do I find a dentist near me who accepts CDCP?
Use the Sun Life provider search tool to filter by location and find a registered dentist.