Imagine receiving top-quality dental treatment with little to no out-of-pocket cost. This is now a reality for many Canadians thanks to the new Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). This federal program is designed to make dental care more accessible and affordable for eligible Canadians. In this blog post, we’ll explain the financial benefits of the CDCP, who qualifies, what dental treatments are covered under the CDCP, and how Miller Dental Care can help you take advantage of this plan. Our goal is to ensure you get the dental care you need – without financial worry – so you can keep your smile healthy and bright.
What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a new initiative by the Government of Canada to help cover the cost of dental services for those who need it most. It is funded by the federal government and administered through Sun Life Financial, which manages the plan on behalf of Health Canada. In essence, the CDCP works like a dental insurance program provided by the government. If you qualify, the plan will pay for all or a significant portion of your dental treatments at participating dental clinics. This means eligible patients can receive free dental care or at a greatly reduced cost, without having private dental insurance.
Why is this plan such a big deal? For years, many Canadians delayed or avoided dental visits due to cost. The CDCP removes that barrier by covering a wide range of dental procedures. By easing the financial burden, this plan makes it possible for more people to get regular check-ups and necessary treatments. In short, CDCP is making quality dental care more accessible and affordable for Canadians – something we at Miller Dental Care are very excited about for our patients.
Coverage Under The CDCP Dental Treatment: How the CDCP Saves You Money
One of the biggest advantages of the CDCP is the financial relief it offers. Eligible patients can receive dental treatment that is either completely free or nearly free (with only a small portion of costs to cover). Here’s how it works:
- Full Coverage for Lower Incomes: If your household’s adjusted net income is below $70,000, the CDCP will cover 100% of the cost of eligible dental services at the plan’s set rates. In other words, you pay $0 for your dental treatment – it’s entirely free for covered procedures.
- Partial Coverage for Moderate Incomes: If your family income is between $70,000 and $89,999, you receive substantial coverage as well. The plan will pay for the majority of your treatment cost, and you’ll pay only a portion (a co-payment). For example, incomes from $70k–$79k have 60% of costs covered (you pay 40%), and incomes $80k–$89k have 40% covered (you pay 60%). This means you still save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on expensive procedures.
- No Coverage Above $90k: Households with income $90,000 or higher are not eligible for this plan, as it is targeted toward low and middle-income Canadians.
Even if you do have a small co-payment, the CDCP significantly reduces your dental bills. For example, a treatment that might normally cost $500 could cost you only $200 with a 60% coverage – a huge savings. Importantly, the plan pays your dentist directly for the covered portion, so you won’t have to pay the full amount upfront and wait for reimbursement. You would only pay your smaller share or any extra charges if a procedure isn’t fully covered, and we’ll make sure you know about any such costs in advance. Essentially, the CDCP ensures that financial constraints don’t stand in the way of you getting the dental care you need.
Who Is Eligible for the CDCP?
Not everyone will qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan – it’s meant to help those who don’t have other dental coverage and have modest incomes. You must meet all of the following eligibility criteria to enroll:
- No Private Dental Insurance: You do not have access to any dental insurance through an employer, spouse/partner, or any private plan. (If you already have dental benefits, you won’t qualify for CDCP.)
- Household Income Under $90,000: Your adjusted family net income must be below $90,000 per year. The plan is aimed at low and middle-income families.
- Canadian Tax Resident with Recent Tax Filing: You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes and have filed your taxes for last year (and your spouse/common-law partner, if applicable, has filed as well). This is needed to verify your income.
- Eligible Age/Group: As of now, the government is rolling out the program in phases by age and needs. Children under 18, seniors aged 65 and over, and adults with a recognized disability (valid Disability Tax Credit) are the first groups who can apply and receive benefits. The plan will expand to all remaining eligible Canadian adults in 2025. (In other words, if you meet the criteria above and are between 18–64 with no disability, you will be able to apply soon if not already.)
All of the above requirements must be met to qualify for CDCP coverage. If you’re not sure whether you qualify, feel free to contact Miller Dental Care – we can help you understand the criteria and find out if you’re eligible. Remember, this program is designed to help those who truly need financial support for dental care, so don’t be discouraged from checking your eligibility. You might be pleasantly surprised that you or your family members qualify for free dental treatment under this plan!
Dental Services Covered by the CDCP
One great aspect of the Canadian Dental Care Plan is the comprehensive range of dental treatments it covers. The goal is to ensure that eligible patients can get all the essential care for a healthy mouth – from routine checkups to major procedures – without cost being a barrier. At Miller Dental Care, we provide all of these services, so you’ll be fully covered for the care you need. CDCP will pay for a portion of the cost for a wide variety of services, including:
- Preventive & Diagnostic Care: Regular dental exams (checkups), routine cleanings (scaling), X-rays, fluoride treatments, and sealants to prevent cavities are all covered. These basic services help you maintain good oral health and catch any issues early.
- Basic Treatments (Restorative & Periodontal): If you have a cavity or a minor dental issue, the plan covers fillings (permanent or temporary) and other treatments for cavities or broken teeth. It also includes care for gum issues – for example, deep cleaning under the gumline and treating infections or abscesses around teeth
– to keep your gums and supporting bone healthy. - Serious Tooth Repairs (Endodontic): In cases of severe tooth decay or infection, root canal treatments and related procedures to save the tooth are covered by CDCP. This is crucial because it means you don’t have to pull a tooth just because you can’t afford a root canal – the plan helps pay for it.
- Major Restorative Work: The CDCP even helps with more extensive dental work. Crowns (caps for badly damaged teeth) are covered with prior authorization, as are posts/cores to support a crown. If you are missing teeth, dentures (full or partial) are covered too – including complete dentures, repairs and relines, and even more complex denture solutions (with preapproval). This is a game-changer for seniors or anyone who needs dentures, as those can be expensive out-of-pocket.
- Oral Surgery: Necessary dental surgeries are covered by the plan as well. This includes tooth extractions (removal of teeth or roots), surgical treatment of oral infections or cysts, and even jaw surgery if needed due to injury or serious conditions. So if you need a wisdom tooth removed or a minor oral surgical procedure, CDCP has you covered.
- Anesthesia/Sedation: If you’re nervous about dental work or require a complex procedure, the plan covers various levels of sedation and anesthesia for your comfort. Simple conscious sedation is covered, and even deeper sedation or general anesthesia can be covered with pre-approval – ensuring you can be relaxed and pain-free during treatment if necessary.
As you can see, virtually all essential dental services are included – from preventive care to major dental repairs. Whether it’s a routine checkup, a filling, a root canal, or getting a new denture, the CDCP has provisions to help pay for it. (The only major area not covered yet is orthodontic treatment like braces, which the plan expects to add in the future for cases of serious medical need.) With such broad coverage, patients don’t have to postpone treatments; you can address dental problems early, before they worsen, knowing that the cost will be largely taken care of by the plan.
How to Apply for the CDCP and Use Your CDCP Benefits
Getting started with the Canadian Dental Care Plan is straightforward. Here are the basic steps to enroll and start using your CDCP benefits:
- Check Your Eligibility: First, verify that you meet the eligibility criteria (no dental insurance, income under $90k, taxes filed, etc.). If you fall into one of the currently eligible groups (a senior 65+, a child under 18, or have a Disability Tax Credit), you can apply right away. Others will be able to apply as the program expands (by 2025)
- Submit an Application: The application is done through the Government of Canada. You can apply online via the official CDCP portal on Canada.ca (the federal website). Seniors in certain age brackets may have received a letter in the mail with an application code to use, while most other eligible individuals can apply directly online as their phase opens. The application will ask for information to confirm you meet the requirements (such as your income, which the government verifies through your tax records). If you need assistance or don’t have internet access, there are options to get help by phone as well.
- Get Your CDCP Welcome Package: Once your application is approved, you’ll be officially enrolled in the plan. The CDCP administrator (Sun Life) will send you a welcome package by mail. This package includes your CDCP membership card and details about your coverage. Most importantly, it will state your coverage start date (effective date) – the date from which your dental visits will be covered by the plan. It may take a few weeks for this package to arrive, so keep an eye out.
- Schedule Your Dental Appointments (and bring your CDCP info): After you receive your member card and know your coverage start date, you can begin to use your benefits! Be sure to only schedule dental treatments on or after your effective start date (appointments before that date won’t be covered). When booking an appointment, inform the dental office that you are covered by the CDCP and provide any membership details from your card. Miller Dental Care will take care of verifying your coverage and submitting the claim to the plan. Remember, under CDCP the dentist bills the plan directly for the covered portion, so you should not pay the full cost upfront – just be ready to pay any small co-payment or extra charges for non-covered items if applicable at the visit.
That’s it! Once enrolled, using your CDCP benefits is as easy as informing our front desk about your coverage when you come in. We’ll ensure that all the treatments performed are accounted for under the plan. If you ever have any questions during the process – whether about the status of your application or what is covered – you can always reach out to us or contact the CDCP support line. Our goal is to make the experience smooth and hassle-free, so you can focus on taking care of your oral health.
Miller Dental Care – Your Affordable Oral Health Provider
At Miller Dental Care, we are proud to support the Canadian Dental Care Plan and help our patients make the most of this fantastic program. Our team believes that everyone deserves a healthy smile, and cost should never keep you from getting the care you need. Here’s how Miller Dental Care can help you take advantage of the CDCP:
- We Welcome CDCP Patients: Miller Dental Care is a participating provider in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. This means our clinic accepts patients who are covered by the CDCP, and we have the processes in place to direct-bill the plan for your treatment. When you come in for a visit under CDCP, we will handle the billing with Sun Life (the plan administrator) on your behalf. You won’t have to pay upfront for covered services and then wait for reimbursement – we take care of it, so you only pay if there’s any small portion not covered by the plan.
- Assistance and Guidance: Not sure if you qualify or how to apply? Our friendly staff is here to guide you through the steps. While the application is done through the government, we can help explain the eligibility requirements and direct you to the official application resources. If you’ve received your CDCP welcome package and have questions about what’s covered, we’ll walk you through it. We stay up-to-date on the CDCP details, so we can answer your questions and make you feel confident about using your benefits.
- No Surprises – Know Your Coverage: Before we begin any treatment, we’ll review what services are needed and let you know if everything is fully covered by the CDCP or if there’s any co-payment. The vast majority of basic services will be completely covered if you qualify for the plan. In some cases (for example, if you have a 40% co-pay due to income or if you opt for an upgraded service that the plan doesn’t cover), we’ll inform you of any minimal charges upfront. Our philosophy is transparency – you’ll know exactly what, if anything, you need to pay. In many cases, our CDCP patients pay nothing at all for their visit.
- Quality Care, Always: Just because your treatment is being paid by a government plan doesn’t change the quality of care you receive. You’ll get the same exceptional treatment and personal attention at Miller Dental Care that all our patients do. Our dentists and hygienists will focus on your needs and comfort, while the CDCP simply takes care of the finances in the background. We think it’s wonderful that our patients can get preventive care and early interventions now, rather than delaying until problems become serious. In the long run, this means healthier smiles and less complicated procedures for you.
Our message to you: Don’t let financial concerns delay your dental care. With the CDCP in place, dental treatments that might have been hard to afford are now within reach. Whether you need a routine checkup, a filling, or a new set of dentures, we encourage you to take advantage of this program. Miller Dental Care is here to make the process easy and stress-free, so you can improve your oral health with zero worry about the cost.
Take the Next Step Toward a Healthy Smile
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a game-changer, opening the door to dental care for millions of Canadians who previously struggled with the cost. If you think you or your family members might be eligible, now is the time to act. A healthier, happier smile could be just an appointment away – and it may cost you little to nothing out of pocket.
At Miller Dental Care, we are enthusiastic about helping our community benefit from the CDCP. We’ve already seen how relieved and grateful patients are when they realize they can fix a toothache or get a long-needed cleaning without the financial strain. This plan truly makes dental care accessible and affordable, and we’re here to ensure you get every benefit you’re entitled to.
Ready to get started? If you have any questions about the CDCP or want to schedule an appointment with your new coverage, contact Miller Dental Care today. Our team will be happy to assist you in confirming your eligibility, guiding you through the application if needed, and booking your visit. Don’t miss out on the dental care you deserve. With the Canadian Dental Care Plan and Miller Dental Care by your side, a bright and healthy smile is now achievable for everyone. Let’s keep you smiling!