Who qualifies For the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
Who Qualifies for the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
Evolve Dental Studio is committed to helping our patients access the care they need to maintain a healthy smile. The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a significant step towards making oral health services more accessible for many Canadians.
What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a federal government program designed to help ease financial barriers to oral health care for Canadian residents who do not have access to private dental insurance and have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000. It's important to note that the CDCP is a government benefit, not a replacement for private insurance.
The Four Key Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, you must meet all four of the following criteria:
- No Access to Dental Insurance: This is a crucial point. You are not eligible for the CDCP if you have access to any form of dental insurance, whether it's through your employer, a family member's employer, a professional or student organization, or a plan you purchased privately. This holds true even if you choose not to use or pay for that private coverage. However, if you have coverage through a government social program (provincial, territorial, or federal), you may still qualify.
- Adjusted Family Net Income is Less Than $90,000: Your eligibility is based on your adjusted family net income from the previous year, as assessed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The percentage of your dental costs that will be covered depends on where your income falls within this range:
- Under $70,000: 100% of eligible costs are covered at the CDCP established fees.
- $70,000 to $79,999: 60% of eligible costs are covered.
- $80,000 to $89,999: 40% of eligible costs are covered.
- Canadian Resident for Tax Purposes: You must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes to be eligible for the plan.
- Filed Your Tax Return in the Previous Year: You (and your spouse or common-law partner, if applicable) must have filed your income tax returns for the previous year so that the government can assess your family's income.
Application and Enrollment
The government has send out letters to those who may be eligible, inviting them to apply. If you meet the criteria and have not received a letter, you can still apply online through the official government portal once applications are open for your age group. You can apply here.
Remember, your coverage start date will be provided in a welcome package from the plan administrator, Sun Life. You must wait until this date to receive covered services.
Services Covered by the CDCP
The CDCP is designed to cover a range of essential oral health services, including but not limited to:
- Dental exams and cleanings
- X-rays
- Fillings
- Root canals and extractions
- Complete and partial removable dentures
For some services, preauthorization may be required to ensure coverage.
We're Here to Help
Navigating a new program can be confusing, but at Evolve Dental Studio, we are committed to making it as easy as possible for our patients. If you have questions about the Canadian Dental Care Plan or would like to book an appointment to discuss your dental needs, please contact our office. We can help you understand your benefits and plan your next visit.










