CDCP
What You Need to Know About the Canadian Dental Plan.
The new Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program designed to make dental care more accessible to eligible individuals. This page provides answers to questions frequently asked by our patients.
Who is eligible for this program?
To be eligible for the CDCP, you must meet all four of the following conditions:
- You must not have access to any type of private dental insurance.
- Your adjusted net family income must be less than $90,000.
- You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
- You must have filed a tax return last year.
Start of Coverage
Once your application is approved, you will receive a welcome package from SunLife within 3 months that will include the following:
- Information about the CDCP
- Your membership card
- The start date of your insurance coverage
You can receive covered dental care only starting on the effective date indicated in your welcome package. Treatment received before that date will not be reimbursed.
You must present your membership card and a valid photo ID when you arrive at the clinic.
The Costs You Will Have to Pay
At the dentist’s office, all patients—whether insured or not—pay the same fee for the same treatment. Patients eligible for the CDCP must therefore pay the difference between their dentist’s standard fee and the amount reimbursed by the CDCP.
It is possible that your dentist’s fee for a dental procedure may exceed the amount reimbursed by the CDCP. You will therefore need to pay the balance to your dentist at the time of your appointment. Be sure to find out how much you owe your dentist before receiving treatment.