The CDCP is a federal dental program funded by the Government of Canada and administered by Sun Life. It was built for people who have no dental insurance through work, a pension, a family member, or a private policy. What started in 2024 as a plan for seniors has now widened to cover every eligible age group, so there is no longer an age gate on the application.
Four conditions determine your eligibility:
No access to dental insurance: Through work, a pension, a spouse or parent, an association, or a policy you bought. Declining a plan does NOT make you eligible.
Canadian resident for tax purposes: Eligibility follows tax residency, not immigration status.
Adjusted family net income under $90,000: Taken from your last year’s return for the current benefit year.
Last year’s taxes filed: You and your spouse or common-law partner both need the last year’s return on file.
The whole application runs through My Service Canada Account. Have your Social Insurance Number, your address, and your last year’s Notice of Assessment. If you are applying for a partner or a child, you will need the same details for them.
It’s impossible to apply without a Notice of Assessment on file for you and your partner.
Go to canada.ca and open the Canadian Dental Care Plan section on your dashboard. Phone applications go through 1-833-537-4342.
Submit and confirm your income, residency, and insurance status, then send it.
Service Canada mails you a letter that carries your member ID and coverage start date. This letter is what you need to book.
Every service listed below is covered. The right column shows whether we need to send a preauthorization request before your treatment can go ahead.
| Service | Coverage | Preauthorization |
|---|---|---|
| Dental exams (complete, routine, specific, emergency) | Covered | Not required |
| X-rays | Covered | Not required |
| Cleaning (scaling) | Covered | Not required |
| Fluoride applications | Covered | Not required |
| Sealants | Covered | Not required |
| Service | Coverage | Preauthorization |
|---|---|---|
| Restorative | ||
| Permanent fillings | Covered | Not required |
| Temporary fillings | Covered | Not required |
| Pain control for diseased teeth | Covered | Not required |
| Other treatments for cavities | Covered | Not required |
| Endodontic | ||
| Root canal treatments | Covered | Not required |
| Pulpectomies (first step of a root canal treatment) | Covered | Not required |
| Procedures to reduce infection and relieve pain | Covered | Not required |
| Re-treatment of previously completed root canal treatment | Covered | Required |
| Periodontal | ||
| Cleaning under the gumline | Covered | Not required |
| Treating abscesses | Covered | Not required |
| Bonding for mobile teeth | Covered | Required |
| Post-surgical evaluations | Covered | Required |
| Non-surgical gum disease management | Covered | Not required |
| Service | Coverage | Preauthorization |
|---|---|---|
| Restorative | ||
| Posts and post removal | Covered | Not required |
| Repairs to crowns and re-bonding of crowns and posts | Covered | Not required |
| Crowns | Covered | Required |
| Cores (to support crowns) | Covered | Required |
| Posts for crowns | Covered | Required |
| Removable Prosthodontics | ||
| Complete dentures (standard and temporary) | Covered | Not required |
| Denture repairs, relines, and rebases | Covered | Not required |
| Placing lining in dentures to condition oral tissues | Covered | Not required |
| Complete immediate and overdentures | Covered | Required |
| Partial dentures | Covered | Required |
| Oral Surgery | ||
| Removal of teeth and roots | Covered | Not required |
| Surgical removal of tumors and cysts | Covered | Not required |
| Surgical incisions (including draining) | Covered | Not required |
| Treatments for broken jaw bones | Covered | Not required |
| Service | Coverage | Preauthorization |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal sedation (conscious) | Covered | Not required |
| Moderate sedation | Covered | Required |
| Deep sedation | Covered | Required |
| General anesthesia | Covered | Required |
After your appointment, we send the claim to Sun Life ourselves. Direct billing means you don’t need to fill in any forms or wait for any reimbursement cheque.
That depends on your household income. Sun Life sets your co-payment level after approving your application, and it stays fixed for the benefit year.
Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI) | Plan pays | You pay |
Under $70,000 | 100% | 0% |
$70,000 – $79,999 | 60% | 40% |
$80,000 – $89,999 | 40% | 60% |
Important Note: These percentages apply to the CDCP fee schedule, which sits below the Ontario Dental Association fee guide. If the clinic’s fee is higher, the difference is yours to cover. The clinic should inform you about this before the treatment.
You pay your share if there is any. We invoice Sun Life for the rest and send a reminder when your next appointment is.
Four dentists, one office, 30 years of experience. We are open until 7 PM on weekdays and 5 PM on Saturdays. We accept CDCP patients in Oakville.
CDCP covers a range of services, including preventive, diagnostic, restorative, and surgical treatments. Contact Smile Point Dental for specific coverage details.
It’s crucial to continue with regular dental checkups at Smile Point Dental to catch and address any dental issues early, even if you don’t yet have CDCP coverage.
Smile Point Dental will coordinate your CDCP benefits with any existing government dental programs to ensure comprehensive coverage without duplication.
No, CDCP requires direct claim submissions from providers. Smile Point Dental cannot reimburse you if you pay upfront for dental services.
No, CDCP is for those without dental insurance. If you have coverage through work, school, or other organizations, you are not eligible for CDCP at Smile Point Dental.
CDCP provides standardized coverage with income-based co-payments. Discuss any potential extra costs with Smile Point Dental before starting treatment.
© 2026. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Accessibility Statement
