Fall Appointment Availability

In the News: What the Canadian Dental Care Plan Actually Covers

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has been in the news as it continues to roll out across Canada, and it’s the question we hear most often from families right now. Here’s the short version.

The CDCP is a federal program that helps eligible Canadian residents cover part of the cost of dental care. Eligibility depends on factors such as household income and whether you already have private dental coverage; you can check your eligibility directly through the federal program.

For services the plan does cover- exams, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, root canals, extractions, and more- cost-sharing depends on income: families under roughly $70,000 a year generally pay nothing out of pocket for covered services, while higher-income bands cover a portion themselves.

We bill the CDCP directly for services it covers. That said, CDCP’s fee schedule doesn’t cover specialty fees, so there’s often a balance between what the plan pays and our fees – an amount you’d be responsible for. We’ll always go over what that looks like with you before any treatment starts.

Orthodontic treatment: braces and clear aligners are not currently covered under the CDCP. We hear this question often enough that we checked directly with the program to confirm it. If you’re considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or your child, we’re happy to talk through financing options separately.

For general program details, see the CDCP overview or the CDCP Dental Benefits Guide from the Government of Canada.