What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?
The CDCP is a federal initiative that provides dental coverage to Canadians who have limited access to adequate dental insurance. The goal of this program is to reduce financial barriers for adults, families, and seniors by providing a spectrum of dental services, ranging from regular check-ups to complex oral treatments. Since not all services are covered, and certain treatments require preauthorization, this guide will help explain the rules, frequency limits, eligibility, and how claims can be submitted.
Who Is Eligible for CDCP?
To receive benefits under the CDCP, you must meet the following 4 criteria:
- You don’t have access to dental insurance. This means that if your employer, university, pension benefits, or family member doesn’t provide dental coverage, your dental expenses are paid out of pocket.
- You and your spouse or common-law partner must have filed your tax returns in Canada for the previous year. If your partner lives outside of Canada and missed filing their tax return, you will not be eligible for CDCP.
- If your family’s adjusted annual income is less than 90,000 minus child care expenses, you are eligible to claim CDCP.
- CDCP is only accessible for tax-paying residents.
To be admitted to this program, the federal government assess your tax return, so it’s important to file annually.
A resident can only claim CDCP once their application has been approved. If you received treatment before you were approved, you will not be able to claim any reimbursements.
What Services Are Covered?
Once your CDCP is approved, a patient can get dental coverage for the services below:
Diagnostic & Preventive Services
These services are meant to check and maintain good oral health to prevent cavities and gum disease.
- Dental exams
- x-rays
- cleaning
- fluoride applicants
- sealants
Restorative Services
These services are treatments that help restore the function of your normal teeth.
Endodontic (Root Canal) Services
These services help save your natural tooth by removing infections or damaged pulp inside your tooth.
- Root canal treatments
- Retreatment of previous root canal procedures
Periodontal Care
These services are preventive treatments that maintain oral health to prevent gum disease.
- cleaning under the gumline
- treating abscesses
- bonding for mobile teeth (requires preauthorization)
- post-surgical evaluations (requires preauthorization)
- non-surgical gum disease management
Restorative services
These services restore teeth when they are damaged or repair missing teeth and their function.
- repairs to crowns and re-bonding of crowns and posts
- crowns (requires preauthorization)
- cores (to support crowns) (requires preauthorization)
- posts for crown (requires preauthorization)
Oral surgery
These services remove teeth or tumours and fix other problems in the mouth and jaw that need surgery.
- removal of teeth and roots
- surgical removal of tumours and cysts
- surgical incisions, including draining
- treatments for broken jaw bones
Sedation Anesthesia
These are services to help manage pain and discomfort during dental treatments.
- minimal sedation (conscious)
- moderate sedation (requires preauthorization)
- deep sedation (requires preauthorization)
- general anesthesia (requires preauthorization)
How the CDCP Works with Dentists
Only approved dental providers can submit claims under the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Before starting treatment, providers are required to verify a patient’s coverage, and some procedures must receive preauthorization to qualify for payment. In rare emergencies, coverage may be requested after treatment, but this is only allowed under strict conditions.
How 200th St Langley Dentist Can Help Claim CDCP
To make the most of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), patients should first confirm their eligibility and enroll through Service Canada. Our dental clinic participates in the program and can help verify eligible coverage for your specific treatment, request preauthorization on behalf of patients for accessible treatments and submit claims. Contact us today to access affordable dental treatments.
