CDCP & Insurance

If you have dental insurance, or you've been approved for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, we make using it simple. We direct-bill Sun Life and most major insurers, so in most cases you only pay your share at the end of the appointment — not the whole bill up front.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

The CDCP is a federal program, administered by Sun Life, that helps cover dental care for Canadian residents who don't have private dental insurance and have an adjusted family net income under $90,000. As of 2025 it is open to all eligible age groups, including adults. We are accepting new patients under the plan.

What you pay

The CDCP covers an agreed percentage of the cost of eligible care, based on your family income:

• Under $70,000 — the plan covers the eligible amount in full; there is no co-payment.
• $70,000 to $79,999 — you pay 40% of the eligible cost.
• $80,000 to $89,999 — you pay 60% of the eligible cost.

One thing worth knowing up front: the CDCP reimburses at federal fee rates, which can be a little lower than the usual Ontario fees. Where that leaves a small gap, we'll explain it clearly and in advance — you will never be surprised by a bill after the fact.

What the plan covers

The CDCP covers a broad range of routine and necessary care: exams, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, extractions, root canal therapy, and dentures, among others. It does not cover purely cosmetic work — such as whitening or veneers — or treatments like dental implants. We're happy to tell you which category any treatment falls into before you commit.

What the CDCP covers, treatment by treatment

These are the questions we are asked most often. Some services need preauthorization from Sun Life before we start, which we arrange for you.

Are cleanings and check-ups covered?

Yes. Examinations, x-rays, scaling and polishing are core to the plan, and for most patients this is the care that matters most — it is what stops small problems becoming expensive ones.

Are fillings and extractions covered?

Yes. Fillings, extractions and other restorative work are eligible.

Is root canal therapy covered?

Yes, endodontic treatment is included, though more complex cases may need preauthorization first.

Are dentures covered by the CDCP?

Yes — complete and partial dentures are eligible, and this is one of the most valuable parts of the plan for older patients. Dentures generally require preauthorization, and the plan sets a frequency limit, so a replacement set is covered only after a set interval since your last. We check your eligibility and submit the preauthorization before any work begins, so you know your share in advance.

Are dental implants covered by the CDCP?

No. Dental implants are not an eligible benefit under the Canadian Dental Care Plan, and neither is the crown placed on an implant. This catches people out, because implants are often the treatment they were hoping the plan would fund. If you are replacing missing teeth, a partial or complete denture is the route the plan does cover, and for many patients it is a good solution. We can price both and let you compare.

Is whitening, or are veneers, covered?

No. The plan funds care that is necessary for oral health, not cosmetic work. Whitening and veneers are paid privately.

Is orthodontic treatment covered?

Braces and clear aligners for cosmetic alignment are not covered. If you are considering Invisalign or braces, private insurance is more likely to help.

How to apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan

You apply to the Government of Canada, not to us — we cannot enrol you, but we can tell you whether you are likely to qualify and we can treat you once you are approved.

1. Check you qualify. You need to be a Canadian resident, have filed your tax return for the previous year, have no access to private dental insurance, and have an adjusted family net income under $90,000.
2. Apply through Canada.ca or by phone. Have your Social Insurance Number and last tax return to hand.
3. Wait for Sun Life's welcome package. It confirms your member number and the date your coverage starts. Care given before that date is not covered, so it is worth waiting if your problem can wait.
4. Book with us and bring the details. We verify your coverage, arrange any preauthorization, and bill Sun Life directly.

Eligibility rules and covered services are set by the federal government and do change — Canada.ca is always the authority on the current terms. If you are partway through the process and unsure what to do next, call us on (416) 807-8800; we talk people through this most weeks.

Dentures and dental care for seniors

A large share of the patients we see under the CDCP are seniors, and the most common need is dentures — whether a first set, a partial to replace a few teeth, or a replacement for a set that no longer fits.

Dentures are covered by the plan, subject to preauthorization and frequency limits, and for someone without private insurance this is often the difference between having the work done and going without. If your current dentures click, rub, or make eating difficult, that is worth an appointment: a reline is a smaller and cheaper job than a new set, and it is also eligible.

We are a ground-floor practice at 591 Yonge Street, Unit 8, a two-minute walk from Wellesley station, and we book longer appointments where someone needs more time. You can book online or call us and we will arrange it with you.