Understanding the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) dental coverage is not always straightforward for many patients who frequently ask us whether a particular treatment is covered, how much the plan will pay, and whether they will have an amount to pay themselves.
The CDCP helps make dental care more affordable for eligible Canadian residents who do not have access to private dental coverage. However, although it is possible, it does not necessarily cover the entire cost of every appointment or treatment.
Our Pointe-Claire dental clinic accepts CDCP patients from the West Island and nearby Montreal communities. Before beginning treatment, our team can help you verify your active coverage, understand which services may be covered, and review any possible costs.
The information below reflects Government of Canada CDCP guidance available as of July 2026. Because program rules can change, patients should confirm their current coverage before appointments. But let’s start with a bit of background on how the Canadian Dental Care Plan works and what it is designed to do.
Key Takeaways
- The CDCP may help cover dental exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings, root canals, gum treatments, crowns, dentures, extractions, and certain sedation services.
- The amount covered depends on your adjusted family net income, the CDCP-established fee, and whether the treatment meets the plan’s coverage criteria.
- Some treatments require preauthorization, and patients may still have an amount to pay even when the CDCP covers 100% of its established fee.
- PUR Dental accepts CDCP patients in Pointe-Claire and can help confirm coverage, submit estimates, and explain expected costs.
Table of Contents
What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a federal dental benefit program intended to reduce financial barriers to oral health care. It is available to eligible Canadian residents who meet the program’s income, residency, tax-filing, and dental-coverage requirements.
The CDCP is not the same as a private dental insurance plan. It has its own:
- Eligibility requirements
- Covered treatment categories
- Established fees
- Frequency limits
- Clinical coverage criteria
- Preauthorization requirements
The plan helps pay for eligible dental services, but the amount it pays depends on the patient’s adjusted family net income, the treatment provided, and the CDCP-established fee for that service.
Coverage is not automatic after submitting an application. You must receive confirmation that you are enrolled, know your benefit coverage start date, and ensure your coverage is active before receiving treatment. It is recommended to confirm active coverage before every dental appointment.
Who is Eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
According to the Government of Canada’s CDCP eligibility requirements, you must meet all four of the following requirements:
| 1. You do not have access to private dental insurance or coverage. | 2. You and your spouse or common-law partner, when applicable, have filed the required Canadian tax returns. | 3. Your adjusted family net income is below $90,000. | 4. You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes. |
Access to private dental coverage can include coverage through your employer, a family member’s employer, a pension plan, a professional or student organization, a health spending account, or a dental plan purchased privately.
Choosing not to enrol in an available private plan does not usually make someone eligible for the CDCP. Under the federal rules, you may still be considered to have access to dental coverage even if you declined it, have not used it, or must pay a premium for it.
Eligibility should also be distinguished from enrolment. Meeting the eligibility conditions allows you to apply, but your dental care is not covered until you are enrolled and your benefit coverage start date has arrived.
Once enrolled, you will receive information that includes your:
- CDCP plan number
- Member ID
- Benefit coverage start date
- Co-payment level
Always check that your coverage remains active before receiving care.
How Much Does the CDCP Cover?
The Government of Canada’s current CDCP co-payment structure is based on adjusted family net income.
| Adjusted family net income | CDCP contribution toward established fees | Patient co-payment |
|---|---|---|
| Below $70,000 | 100% | 0% |
| $70,000 to $79,999 | 60% | 40% |
| $80,000 to $89,999 | 40% | 60% |
These percentages apply to eligible services at the CDCP-established fees. They do not necessarily apply to the dental clinic’s complete treatment fee.
For example
A patient with an adjusted family net income below $70,000 has a 0% income-based co-payment on eligible CDCP fees. However, that does not automatically mean every appointment or treatment will be free. The patient may still have an amount to pay if the clinic’s fee is higher than the amount established by the CDCP or if part of the treatment is not covered.
Why You May Still Have an Amount to Pay
There are three main reasons a CDCP patient may have an out-of-pocket cost.
Income-Based Co-Payments
Patients with an adjusted family net income between $70,000 and $89,999 must pay a percentage of the CDCP-established fee.
That percentage is either:
- 40% for adjusted family net incomes from $70,000 to $79,999
- 60% for adjusted family net incomes from $80,000 to $89,999
Your enrolment information should indicate your co-payment level.
Differences Between CDCP-Established Fees and Clinic Fees
The CDCP uses its own established fees to calculate reimbursement. The CDCP-established amount may differ from the dental clinic’s regular fee. When the clinic fee is higher than the CDCP reimbursement amount, the patient may be responsible for the difference.
This can apply even when the CDCP covers 100% of its established fee.
Treatments Not Covered by the CDCP
You may also need to pay for:
- Services that are not included in CDCP coverage
- Services that exceed frequency limits
- Procedures that require preauthorization but are not approved
- Optional treatment choices that fall outside the plan’s criteria
- Portions of treatment not eligible under the program
Before accepting treatment, ask for an estimate and discuss any expected balance with the clinic. Our goal is to make sure you understand the proposed care and potential costs before treatment begins.
What Dental Treatments Does the CDCP Cover?
According to the CDCP’s current covered-services guidance, eligible services can include preventive, diagnostic, restorative, periodontal, endodontic, denture, surgical, and sedation services. Coverage is subject to the plan’s clinical criteria, frequency limitations, and established fees. A service appearing in a covered category does not necessarily mean it will be covered in every situation. The treatment must be recommended by an oral health professional and satisfy the applicable CDCP requirements.
Diagnostic and Preventive Dental Care
Diagnostic and preventive care is intended to identify oral health problems, maintain healthy teeth and gums, and reduce the risk of dental disease.
Depending on the patient’s needs and the plan’s frequency limits, CDCP coverage may include:
- Complete, routine, specific, and emergency dental examinations
- Dental X-rays
- Dental cleaning and scaling
- Fluoride treatments
- Dental sealants
These services help us evaluate your oral health and determine whether additional treatment may be necessary.
Restorative and Root Canal Treatments
The CDCP may cover restorative services used to treat cavities, damaged teeth, infection, and dental pain.
Covered services may include:
- Permanent and temporary fillings
- Treatments to control pain in diseased teeth
- Root canal treatment
- Procedures to reduce infection and relieve pain
Retreatment of a tooth that has already received root canal therapy may require preauthorization before it can be covered.
Gum Treatments
Periodontal services treat conditions affecting the gums and the bone supporting the teeth.
Depending on the patient’s diagnosis and coverage limitations, these services may include:
- Cleaning below the gumline
- Non-surgical gum disease treatment
- Treatment of dental abscesses
- Post-surgical evaluations
- Bonding or stabilizing mobile teeth
Some periodontal procedures require preauthorization. The dentist must first examine the patient and determine which treatment is clinically appropriate.
Crowns and Other Major Restorative Services
The CDCP may cover certain major restorative procedures when a tooth is too damaged to be restored with a basic filling.
Examples include:
- Repairing an existing crown
- Recementing or rebonding a crown
- Posts and post removal
- Cores used to support crowns
- New crowns
New crowns, cores, and certain post procedures generally require preauthorization. This means the treatment must be recommended by the dentist and reviewed against CDCP coverage criteria before it is provided.
Dentures and Missing-Teeth Treatments
The Canadian Dental Care Plan may cover several removable denture services, including:
- Standard complete dentures
- Temporary dentures
- Denture repairs
- Denture relines and rebases
- Tissue-conditioning liners
- Certain immediate dentures
- Overdentures
- Partial dentures
Partial dentures, immediate complete dentures, and overdentures may require preauthorization. The dentist or denturist must assess the patient’s oral condition before determining which type of replacement is suitable.
Tooth Extractions and Oral Surgery
The CDCP may cover oral surgery when it is required to remove teeth, treat infection, or address other problems involving the mouth and jaw.
Examples include:
- Removal of teeth and roots
- Surgical incisions and drainage
- Removal of cysts and tumours
- Treatment of broken jaw bones
The exact procedure covered will depend on the patient’s diagnosis, treatment needs, and applicable plan criteria.
Sedation and Pain Management
Certain forms of sedation and anesthesia may be covered when they are clinically appropriate for a dental procedure.
These can include:
- Nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or both together
- Certain forms of conscious sedation
- Deep sedation or general anesthesia
Higher levels of sedation generally require preauthorization.
Does the CDCP Cover Orthodontic Treatment?
These services are not currently available through the CDCP. The Government of Canada states that a defined range of orthodontic services may become available in the future and will require preauthorization.
Using the CDCP at Our Pointe-Claire Dental Clinic
Our Pointe-Claire dental clinic accepts Canadian Dental Care Plan patients and submits eligible claims directly to Sun Life.
When you contact our team, we will ask for your CDCP information so we can create or update your patient file. We can also confirm whether your coverage is active and explain what information you should bring to your appointment.
During your visit, your dentist will examine your oral health and discuss any recommended treatment. When applicable, our team can:
- Prepare and submit a treatment estimate
- Confirm whether a service may be covered
- Explain your co-payment level
- Identify possible differences between CDCP-established fees and clinic fees
- Submit a preauthorization request
- Review your expected out-of-pocket costs
At PUR Dental, we welcome patients looking for a dentist in the West Island that accepts CDCP patients. Coverage decisions remain subject to the CDCP’s rules and Sun Life’s administration, but our team can help make the process easier to understand.
What Do You Need to Bring to Your First Appointment?
You do not necessarily need to wait for your physical Sun Life membership card if you already have the required enrolment information.
For your first appointment, bring:
- Your CDCP member ID
- Your benefit coverage start date
- Your co-payment level
- A piece of identification
- Your physical or printable CDCP card, if available
It is also helpful to bring:
- Recent dental records or X-rays, if available
- A current list of medications
- Relevant medical information
- Details about dental pain, sensitivity, swelling, or other concerns
- Questions about treatment coverage and costs
Only services received on or after your coverage start date can be considered for payment under the CDCP. You should also confirm that your coverage is active before every subsequent appointment.
Looking for a CDCP dentist in Pointe-Claire? Our dental clinic will be happy to serve you. Contact our team to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists.
