Finding & Managing Dental Care

Do you accept CDCP (Canadian Dental Care Plan) patients?

Yes, our clinic accepts CDCP patients.

How long does dental service preauthorization take?

IT can take up to 25 to 30 business days for Sun Life to complete the pre-authorization process based on the recent reviews.

How can I know how much of my annual dental coverage left?

You can check these details by logging into your “my Sun Life” online account, navigating to the “Claims” section under the CDCP tab, and reviewing your history. Alternatively, you can call the Sun Life CDCP Contact Centre at 1-888-888-8110. Please have your date of birth and Sun Life Member ID number ready to identify yourself. Because the CDCP does not have an annual dollar maximum, you do not have a financial “spending balance” to look up. Instead, you have treatment frequencies and history.

Can I change dentist under CDCP coverage?

Yes, you can change dentist Under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) anytime.

Understanding the Canadian Dental Care Plan

What is CDCP? The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federally delivered public dental care initiative launched in December 2023. It aims to provide comprehensive dental care services to eligible Canadian residents, ensuring access to essential oral health care. This plan covers a wide range of services, from preventive care to more complex procedures, to maintain and improve the oral health of Canadians. Here, you will find detailed information about the CDCP and its benefits.

Who Qualifies for the CDCP?

Any Canadian tax resident living in the country who has filed their previous year’s tax return, has an adjusted net family income under $90,000, and has no access to private dental insurance.

CDCP Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the CDCP, you must meet all the following criteria:

• Income Limit: Your adjusted net household income must be under $90,000 per year.
• No Private Dental Insurance: You cannot have access to any private or employer-sponsored dental coverage.
• Residency & Taxes: You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes and have filed your tax return for the previous year (and receive Notice of Assessment).
• Age Frame: Open to all eligible Canadian residents of any age (there are no longer any age-specific restrictions or staggered rollouts in 2026).
• Disability Status: Adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate are eligible.

Applying For The CDCP

Applying for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a straightforward process, now fully open to all eligible Canadian residents of all ages. Designed to ensure seamless access to essential oral health services, the application can be completed quickly online or by phone. This section provides a detailed, step-by-step guide on the 2026 eligibility criteria—including mandatory 2025 tax filing requirements—the necessary documentation to have on hand, and tips to ensure your application or annual renewal goes as smoothly as possible.

To avoid converge gap: make sure your application details perfectly match your tax data. Service Canada strictly cross-references your application with Box 45 on your T4 (or Box 015 on your T4A). Providing conflicting information will result in your application being declined or your coverage being terminated.

Applying for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) (external link)

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for the CDCP

1. Check Eligibility

Before filling out your Canadian Dental Care Plan application, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for the CDCP. Refer to the Eligibility section to verify your qualification based on age, disability status, and income.

2. Gather Required Documentation

To complete your Canadian Dental Care Plan application, you will need the following information for yourself and your spouse or common-law partner (if applicable):

• Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Date of Birth
• Full Name
• Home and Mailing Address
• List of any dental coverage through government social programs (if applicable)
• Proof of tax filing for 2025 (Notice of Assessment)

3. Application Process

Applications for the CDCP open on June 2, 2026. Ensure you apply if you are eligible. If you missed the renewal window (April 15 – June 1, 2026), you can reapply from scratch starting June 2. However, if your missed the June 1 renewal deadline, their coverage is cut off on June 30, creating a temporary gap in coverage. Any dental work done during that gap will not be reimbursed retroactively.

4. Apply Online

The easiest way to apply for the CDCP is through the online application portal:

• Visit the CDCP Online Application
• Follow the prompts to complete the application form
• Submit all required documentation and personal information

5. Apply Over the Telephone

If applying by phone, individuals must call the dedicated Service Canada CDCP line at 1-833-537-4342.

6. Application Assistance

If you need help with your Canadian Dental Care Plan application, you can apply with the assistance of a trusted person or delegate. Here’s how:

• Trusted Person: A family member or friend can help you apply by entering your information on your behalf.
• Delegate: A legal representative or designated individual can complete the application for you.

After You Apply

After submitting your application:

• Enrolment Confirmation: You will receive a confirmation of your enrolment from Sun Life, the administrator of the CDCP.
• Wait for Your Official Effective Date: Look closely at your Sun Life welcome letter. It will list a specific coverage start date (effective date). The CDCP will absolutely not pay for any dental work done before this exact day arrives, and coverage cannot be applied retroactively.
• Welcome Package: Within 2-4 weeks, Sun Life will send you a welcome package that includes your member card and coverage start date.
• Get ready to use your CDCP coverage. Book your first appointment with our dentists today.

Important Tips for Applying:

Ensure all information is accurate and complete to avoid delays.

• Keep a copy of your submitted application and any correspondence.
• Check the CDCP website regularly for updates and additional information.
• Don’t put for later and book your first appointment.

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What Treatments are Covered by CDCP?

Comprehensive Dental Coverage

The CDCP offers a robust range of dental services designed to keep your teeth and gums healthy. These services include:

• Preventive Services: Regular check-ups, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants to prevent oral health issues.
• Diagnostic Services: Comprehensive examinations and X-rays to diagnose potential dental problems.
• Restorative Services: Fillings, crowns, and other treatments to restore damaged teeth. Crowns require strict preauthorization. The 2026 policy caps crowns at a maximum of 4 crowns every 10 years per patient, and only 1 crown per specific tooth every 8 years.
• Endodontic Services: Root canal treatments to address issues within the tooth.
• Prosthodontic Services: Dentures and partial dentures to replace missing teeth.
• Periodontal Services: Deep scaling and other treatments for gum health.
• Oral Surgery Services: Extractions and other surgical procedures as needed.
• Sedation Services: Basic nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or oral sedatives are covered by CDCP starting 2026, but deep sedation and general anesthesia require preauthorization.

Costs and Balance Billing for CDCP Patients

Are You Subject to Balance Billing? Please check with our reception team to get a detailed out-of-pocket estimate for your specific CDCP coverage.

Frequency Caps

As of 2026, the following frequency caps apply:

• Routine/Recall Exams: Covered 1 time in any 12-month period
• Complete Oral Exams: Allowed 1 time every 60 months (5 years)
• Specific/Emergency Exams: Exams are limited to 1 every 12 months, and the emergency exams have no frequency limits
• Crowns: Strictly limited to 4 crowns every 120 months (10 years) per patient, and a maximum of 1 crown every 96 months (8 years) per individual tooth. All crowns may require pre-authorization. (please check with your dentist)
• Complete Immediate Dentures: As for 2026, immediate dentures (placed right after teeth are extracted) don’t require pre-authorization. However, they are limited to 1 prosthesis per arch, per lifetime
• Denture Relining / Rebasing: Limited to once every 36 months (3 years).

Preauthorization for CDCP Coverage

A complete list of services requiring preauthorization under the official Health Canada guidelines includes:

Major Restorative Services

• Single-Unit Crowns: Includes cast metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and pure porcelain/ceramic crowns.
• Cores and Posts: Structural additions built up to support a new crown.
• Post Removal: Surgical or specialized removal of an existing post.

Removable Prosthodontics (Dentures)

• Partial Dentures: Both initial placement and replacement of partial acrylic or chrome-cobalt dentures.
• Complete Overdentures & Immediate Overdentures: (Note: Standard complete temporary/immediate dentures received a rule change on April 1, 2026, and no longer require preauthorization, but specialized overdentures still do).

Endodontic & Periodontal Specialty Treatments

• Re-treatment of Root Canals: Going back into a tooth that has already had a prior root canal.
• Desensitization Codes: (New 2026 Rule) As of April 1, 2026, all dental desensitization treatments require preauthorization due to strict clinical monitoring guidelines.
• Mobile Tooth Bonding: Structurally splinting or bonding loose teeth together.
• Post-Surgical Periodontal Evaluations: Specialized check-ups following gum surgeries.

Sedation & Anesthesia Services

• Conscious Sedation: Deep inhalation sedation or combined techniques.
• Deep Sedation & General Anesthesia: Fully putting a patient under for intensive dental surgery (Note: Basic nitrous oxide/laughing gas and standard oral sedation pills do not require preauthorization).

Understanding the Canadian Dental Care Plan

What is CDCP? The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federally delivered public dental care initiative launched in December 2023. It aims to provide comprehensive dental care services to eligible Canadian residents, ensuring access to essential oral health care. This plan covers a wide range of services, from preventive care to more complex procedures, to maintain and improve the oral health of Canadians. Here, you will find detailed information about the CDCP and its benefits.

What is CDCP and What Does it Offer?

Comprehensive Dental Coverage

The CDCP offers a robust range of dental services designed to keep your teeth and gums healthy. These services include:

• Preventive Services: Regular check-ups, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants to prevent oral health issues.
• Diagnostic Services: Comprehensive examinations and X-rays to diagnose potential dental problems.
• Restorative Services: Fillings, crowns, and other treatments to restore damaged teeth.
• Endodontic Services: Root canal treatments to address issues within the tooth.
• Prosthodontic Services: Dentures and partial dentures to replace missing teeth.
• Periodontal Services: Deep scaling and other treatments for gum health.
• Oral Surgery Services: Extractions and other surgical procedures as needed.

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Who Qualifies for the CDCP?

Seniors Aged 65 and Above:

• Eligibility: Canadian residents aged 65 and older.
• Application Start Date: Applications opened in December 2023.

Adults with a Valid Disability Tax Credit Certificate:

• Eligibility: Adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate.
• Application Start Date: Applications started on June 27, 2024.

Children Under the Age of 18:

• Eligibility: Canadian residents under the age of 18.
• Application Start Date: Applications started on June 27, 2024.

All Remaining Eligible Canadian Residents:

• Eligibility: Applications will open in May 2025, with coverage starting as early as June 1, 2025.
• Application Start Date:
  • May 1, 2025: Ages 55 to 64
  • May 15, 2025: Ages 18 to 34
  • May 29, 2025: Ages 35 to 54.

CDCP Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for the CDCP is based on several factors, including age, disability status, and income. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the criteria:

Age Requirements:

• Specific age groups have defined application start dates.
• Seniors (65+), children (under 18), and adults with specific conditions have priority phases.
• All Remaining Eligible Residents (Aged 18 to 64) may apply in May 2025, with coverage starting as early as June 1, 2025. See application process for details.

Disability Status:

• Adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate are eligible.
• This includes conditions that significantly impair daily living activities.

Income Limits:

• The CDCP is designed to assist those with lower and moderate incomes.
• Detailed income limits and co-payment structures will be provided in the Cost section.

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Applying For The CDCP

Applying for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a straightforward process designed to ensure that eligible Canadian residents can access essential dental care services. This section provides a detailed guide on how to apply, the necessary documentation, and tips to make your Canadian Dental Care Plan application process as smooth as possible.

Applying for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) (external link)

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for the CDCP

1. Check Eligibility

Before filling out your Canadian Dental Care Plan application, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for the CDCP. Refer to the Eligibility section to verify your qualification based on age, disability status, and income.

2. Gather Required Documentation

To complete your Canadian Dental Care Plan application, you will need the following information for yourself and your spouse or common-law partner (if applicable):

• Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Date of Birth
• Full Name
• Home and Mailing Address
• List of any dental coverage through government social programs (if applicable)
• Proof of tax filing for 2023 (Notice of Assessment)

3. Application Process

Applications for the CDCP open in phases. Ensure you apply during the appropriate phase for your eligibility group:

• Seniors aged 65 and above: Applications opened in December 2023.
• Adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate: Applications started on June 27, 2024.
• Children under the age of 18: Applications started on June 27, 2024.
• All remaining eligible Canadian residents (Aged 18 to 64): Applications will open in May 2025, with coverage starting as early as June 1, 2025.
• Key Dates to Apply for Ages 18 to 64:
  • May 1, 2025: Ages 55 to 64
  • May 15, 2025: Ages 18 to 34
  • May 29, 2025 Ages 35 to 54.

4. Apply Online

The easiest way to apply for the CDCP is through the online application portal:

• Visit the CDCP Online Application
• Follow the prompts to complete the application form
• Submit all required documentation and personal information

5. Application Assistance

If you need help with your Canadian Dental Care Plan application, you can apply with the assistance of a trusted person or delegate. Here’s how:

• Trusted Person: A family member or friend can help you apply by entering your information on your behalf.
• Delegate: A legal representative or designated individual can complete the application for you.

After You Apply

After submitting your application:

• Enrolment Confirmation: You will receive a confirmation of your enrolment from Sun Life, the administrator of the CDCP.
• Welcome Package: Within three months, Sun Life will send you a welcome package that includes your member card and coverage start date.

Important Tips for Applying:

Ensure all information is accurate and complete to avoid delays.

• Keep a copy of your submitted application and any correspondence.
• Check the CDCP website regularly for updates and additional information.

(Source)