Dental Coverage With The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), is a program offered by the Canadian Government, with the core objective to make dental care more accessible and affordable for those who might not otherwise be able to afford the care needed to maintain good oral health.
The plan covers a portion of the cost of an enrolled patient’s oral health treatments to prevent and treat oral disease which, in turn, can protect against serious health problems.
NOVO Dental Centre is a CDCP oral health care provider
We are delighted to be enrolled in the CDCP to help as many BC residents as possilbe easily access more affordable dental care.
Sign Up For CDCP
Anyone that meets the following requirements is eligible to participate in this plan must.
- Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
- Filed an income tax return for the previous year.
- Do not have dental insurance through a private or pension plan or with an employer.
- Have a net (after tax) family income of less than $90,000 annually.
In order to participate, you must register with CDCP before any dental treatment is received.
Applications for the CDCP are open for the groups listed below. All other Canadian residents can apply starting in 2025.
The table below shows the application schedule.
| Eligible Age Groups | Date Applications Open |
|---|---|
| Seniors 65+ | Now |
| People holding a valid Disability Tax Credit Certificate | Now |
| Children under 18 | Now |
| All other eligible Canadian citizens and residents | 2025 |
Once you have applied, Health Canada will confirm your eligibility and share your information with Sun Life to enroll you in the plan. You will receive a welcome package from Sun Life within three months of your application, which will include:
- The start date of your coverage
- Your membership card
- Information about the CDCP
Once enrolled, you must meet the eligibility requirements each subsequent year with an annual reassessment. Details about the reassessment process have yet to be released.
The plan covers a portion of the cost of an enrolled patient’s oral health treatments to prevent and treat oral disease which, in turn, can protect against serious health problems.
The plan is set to provide coverage for a range of dental services, from basic preventive care like cleanings and examinations to more comprehensive treatments such as fillings, crowns, and potentially orthodontics for qualifying individuals.
Sign Up For CDCP
Anyone that meets the following requirements is eligible to participate in this plan must.
- Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
- Filed an income tax return for the previous year.
- Do not have dental insurance through a private or pension plan or with an employer.
- Have a net (after tax) family income of less than $90,000 annually.
In order to participate, you must register with CDCP before any dental treatment is received.
Applications for the CDCP are open for the groups listed below. All other Canadian residents can apply starting in 2025.
The table below shows the application schedule.
| Eligible Age Groups | Date Applications Open |
|---|---|
| Seniors 65+ | Now |
| People holding a valid Disability Tax Credit Certificate | Now |
| Children under 18 | Now |
| All other eligible Canadian citizens and residents | 2025 |
Once you have applied, Health Canada will confirm your eligibility and share your information with Sun Life to enroll you in the plan. You will receive a welcome package from Sun Life within three months of your application, which will include:
- The start date of your coverage
- Your membership card
- Information about the CDCP
Once enrolled, you must meet the eligibility requirements each subsequent year with an annual reassessment. Details about the reassessment process have yet to be released.
The plan covers a portion of the cost of an enrolled patient’s oral health treatments to prevent and treat oral disease which, in turn, can protect against serious health problems.
The plan is set to provide coverage for a range of dental services, from basic preventive care like cleanings and examinations to more comprehensive treatments such as fillings, crowns, and potentially orthodontics for qualifying individuals.
Sign Up For Canadian Dental Care Plan Online
If you are eligible and qualify for early enrolment, you can apply for CDCP online now.
Sign Up For CDCP Online
If you are eligible and qualify for early enrolment you can apply for CDCP online now.
How does CDCP work?
Services that could be covered under the CDCP include the following:
- preventive services, including scaling (cleaning), polishing, sealants, and fluoride;
- diagnostic services, including examinations and x-rays;
- basic restorative services, including temporary and permanent fillings;
pain control for diseased teeth; - major restorative services, including posts and post removal, repairs, cores and crowns
- endodontic services, including root canal treatments;
- prosthodontic services, including complete and partial removable dentures;
- periodontal services, including deep scaling;
- oral surgery services, including extractions;
- conscience sedation services.
Overview of the services covered, see the CDCP Coverage webpage.
For a complete list of covered services see the CDCP Dental Benefits Guide.
The CDCP has set a fee for each service covered under the plan. NOVO Dental, like every dentist in British Columbia, relys on the schedule of fees for services established by the BC College of Dental surgeons.
The CDCP approved fees may not be the same as those established by the BC College of Dental surgeons. You may have to pay fees in addition to the potential co-payment if:
- the cost of your oral health care services are more than what the CDCP will reimburse for these services
- you agree to receive care that the plan doesn’t cover.
Before receiving oral health care, you should always ask your oral health provider about any costs that won’t be covered by the plan. Make sure you know what you’ll have to pay directly to your oral health provider ahead of receiving treatment.
Coverage under the CDCP is limited to basic services that protect and preserve natural teeth so people can benefit from teeth that function properly. Many people have missing teeth or teeth that are failing and need removing. When this is the case, the CDCP includes the provision of removable dentures, allowing people to eat and talk effectively.
The plan is not designed to improve the overall appearance of teeth or provide purely aesthetic benefits. It also excludes more complex treatments. Treatments not considered for coverage under the CDCP include those listed below.
- Composite resin or porcelain veneers
- Three-quarter crowns
- Inlays and onlays made from any dental materials
- Temporomandibular appliances and therapy
- Fixed dental bridges
- Teeth whitening
- Mouthguards and bruxism appliances
- Crown lengthening
- Dental implants and any associated treatments
- Bone grafting
- Precision attachments for partial dentures
- Extensive rehabilitation
Certain services, such as deep sedation, are not covered in all cases. If a provider believes the treatment is medically necessary, they can submit a preauthorization request on behalf of the patient. Approval of the preauthorization request is based on the recommendations of the CDCP dental consultant and considers the patient’s dental and medical history.
Certian services will require preauthorization. If a service is given without preauthorization, for example, if urgent dental care is required, it may be submitted for post-determination, with no guarantee that the service will be covered.
Treatments requiring preauthorization are listed below:
- Specialist dental examination
- Crowns
- Posts and cores
- Moderate sedation, deep sedation and general anesthesia
- Major surgical procedures
- Orthodontic services when clinically necessary (starting in 2025)
The CDCP will reimburse a percentage of the cost of your treatment, but it may not pay the full amount. Only oral health providers (dentists) get reimbursed for services covered under the CDCP. You will not receive any payment from the CDCP directly.
Patients may be required to make a co-payment (that is, pay for a portion of their dental care under the CDCP) to your dentist. The amount of coverage paid under CDCP is based on established CDCP fees and your adjusted family net income.
Co-payments based on adjusted family net income
| Adjusted family net income | How much will the CDCP cover | How much you will cover |
|---|---|---|
| Lower than $70,000 | 100% of eligible oral health care service costs will be covered at the CDCP established fees. | 0% of the CDCP established fees. You may face additional charges as described below. |
| Between $70,000 and $79,999 | 60% of eligible oral health care service costs will be covered at the CDCP established fees. | 40% of the CDCP established fees. You may face additional fees as described below. |
| Between $80,000 and $89,999 | 40% of eligible oral health care service costs will be covered at the CDCP established fees. | 60% of the CDCP established fees. You may face additional fees as described below. |
Benefits of the CDCP:
Increased Access: More Canadians will have access to necessary dental care, which is crucial for overall health, not just oral health.
Quality of Life: Regular dental care can significantly enhance the quality of life through pain prevention, improved aesthetics, and better nutrition.
Navigating the CDCP:
The CDCP represents a significant step towards integrating dental care into Canada’s healthcare system, acknowledging the essential role oral health plays in general well-being. At Novo Dental Centre, we are committed to helping our patients navigate this new system, ensuring everyone can benefit from the care they need and deserve.
For further details or to clarify how this plan might benefit you or your family, please call us at Novo Dental Centre or check our website for updates as more information becomes available. We are here to support your journey towards better oral health under the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
