The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a program from the Canadian government that helps cover dental costs for people who don’t have dental insurance and earn less than $90,000 a year. This plan is designed to make dental care more affordable for Canadians who need it.
Important Information
Since May 2024, dental care through the CDCP (the Canadian Dental Care Plan) is available. However, it’s essential to know that the CDCP is not a free program; it is a dental benefit managed by Health Canada.
Here’s how it works regarding co-payments:
- Covering the difference co-payment: If your adjusted annual family net income is under $70,000, you will simply have to cover the difference between the CDCP coverage and the BC fee guide.
- 40% co-payment: If your income is between $70,000 and $79,999, you will need to cover 40% of your dental care costs.
- 60% co-payment: For families making between $80,000 and $89,999, the co-payment increases to 60%.
Not all dental services will be part of the CDCP, so it’s crucial to understand what your dental care will cost before starting any treatment.
Here at Academy Dental, we accept coverage provided by the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
For more information about the CDCP, you can visit canada.ca/dental.
FAQs
What Dental Treatments Are Covered Under CDCP at Academy Dental?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) provides coverage for a variety of dental services to help you keep your smile healthy. At Academy Dental, we want to ensure you know what’s included in the plan:
- Preventive care: This includes cleanings (scaling) to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- Diagnostic services: We cover exams and x-rays to check your oral health, as well as fluoride treatments to protect your teeth.
- Restorative treatments: In case you have cavities, then we can offer fillings to treat them.
- Endodontic procedures: This consists of root canal treatment to retain your teeth.
- Prosthodontic services: For instance, if you require dentures we provide both complete and partial removable sets.
- Periodontal care: We also provide treatments like deep scaling to manage gum health.
- Oral surgery: If you need extractions, we can help with that too.
Keep in mind that some treatments under the CDCP may need preauthorization. This means that based on your dentist’s recommendation, certain services need to be approved before you receive them. Preauthorization takes into account your specific oral health history and any medical conditions you may have. At Academy Dental, we’re here to help you navigate this process of a Canadian dental care plan near you and ensure you get the care you need!
What Does the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) Cover?
Depending on your family’s adjusted annual net income, you’ll have different co-payment amounts:
- If your family income is under $70,000: You will only have to cover the difference between the CDCP coverage and the BC fee guide.
- If your family income is between $70,000 and $79,999: You’ll need to pay 40% of the costs.
- If your family income is between $80,000 and $89,999: Your co-payment will be 60%
At Academy Dental, we encourage you to talk about the costs of your treatment and any potential out-of-pocket expenses when you schedule your appointment. We’re here to help you understand what the CDCP covers and answer any financial questions you might have!
How Do I Apply for CDCP?
At Academy Dental, we’re here to help you through the application process and answer any questions you might have about using your CDCP benefits for your dental care.
How Do I Know If I’m Eligible?
When Can I Apply?
Will I Lose My Dental Coverage at Work When the CDCP Launches?
Dentists believe that the CDCP will help people who don’t have any benefits access the care they need. However, it shouldn’t take away the benefits that you already have through your current plan.
When Can I Start Using My CDCP Benefits?
Once you’ve applied through Health Canada and they let you know that you qualify, your details will be sent to Sun Life, who will get you enrolled in the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
Sun Life will then send you information about when your coverage starts and your member card.
The start date for accessing care under the CDCP depends on when you were enrolled. If you have specific questions about your eligibility, it’s recommended to reach out to the government directly.
APPLICATION SCHEDULE:
- Seniors aged 87 and above: Applications opened in December 2023.
- Adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate: Applications start in June 2024.
- Children under the age of 18: Applications also start in June 2024.
- All remaining eligible Canadian residents: Applications begin in 2025.
What does it mean if I don’t have dental insurance?
When we talk about dental insurance, it means having a plan that helps cover the costs of your dental care. However, if you don’t have dental insurance, it generally means:
- You don’t have coverage through your job or a family member’s job, including health and wellness accounts.
- You are not affiliated with a current or previous employer or a family member’s pension benefits employer sponsored plan.
- You haven’t purchased dental insurance for yourself or through a family member, or you don’t have coverage from a group plan with an insurance company.
Am I Eligible for the CDCP if I Already Have Coverage from Provincial Government Programs?
The benefits from both programs will be coordinated, meaning you won’t have overlapping coverage. This way, any confusion related to your dental care can be eliminated and you will get the full value of the spent money.
The federal government is currently working with provinces and territories to figure out how this coordination will work. Health Canada has promised to clarify which programs will cover what costs before services start, with updates expected as early as May 2024.
How Can I Access the CDCP?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is being rolled out in phases by the federal government, starting in December 2023. Seniors who are eligible for CDCP for seniors will receive letters with instructions on how to check their eligibility and apply by phone. Here’s the schedule for when these letters will go out:
- December 2023: Ages 87 and older
- January 2024: Ages 77 to 86
- February 2024: Ages 72 to 76
- March 2024: Ages 70 to 71
An online application portal will be available for seniors aged 65 and up in May 2024. If you hold a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate or have a child under 18, you can apply online starting in June 2024. All other eligible Canadians will be able to apply online in 2025.
For more details on eligibility, visit canada.ca/dental.
