For patients in Canada
Canadian Dental Care Plan: who qualifies, what you pay, and how to find a dentist who bills it
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program, administered by Sun Life, that pays for basic dental care for residents who have no private dental insurance and a family income under $90,000. Applications are open for the 2026 to 2027 benefit year. This page summarises the official rules in plain language and then shows you where to find a practice's phone number so you can ask one question: “Do you bill the CDCP?”
DentalPresence is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or Sun Life and does not independently verify participation. Claimed practices can report CDCP billing; profiles distinguish yes, no and not stated and show the declaration date. Figures below were checked against canada.ca on 2 September 2026; the official pages are linked in each section.
Do you qualify? All four must be true
- 1
No access to private dental insurance
This includes employer or pension plans and health spending accounts that cover dental costs. Coverage from a government social program does not disqualify you; the plans coordinate so costs are not paid twice.
- 2
Adjusted family net income under $90,000
Line 23600 of your return, with adjustments the government describes on its eligibility page. For a couple, both incomes count.
- 3
A filed Canadian tax return for last year
You and, if you have one, your spouse or common-law partner must have filed so your family income can be assessed.
- 4
Canadian resident for tax purposes
Applications are open for the 2026 to 2027 benefit year, and the plan is no longer limited by age group.
What you pay depends on family income
The plan pays a set fee for each service. Your share of that fee is the co-payment below. On top of it, a practice may charge more than the CDCP fee for a service; that difference is yours to pay, so ask for the amount before treatment starts.
| Adjusted family net income | CDCP pays | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 100% of CDCP fees | No co-payment |
| $70,000 to $79,999 | 60% of CDCP fees | 40% co-payment |
| $80,000 to $89,999 | 40% of CDCP fees | 60% co-payment |
| $90,000 and above | Not eligible | Full cost |
Source: Government of Canada, “What is covered” and its co-payment examples factsheet.
What the plan covers
- Diagnostic and preventiveExams, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride
- Basic servicesFillings, root canals, gum treatment
- Major servicesCrowns, dentures, oral surgery (some need preauthorization)
- Anesthesia and sedationDeeper sedation options need preauthorization
- OrthodonticsNot currently available under the plan
Many services are covered without preauthorization. Crowns, partial dentures, some periodontal procedures, deeper sedation, and anything beyond the plan's frequency limits need preauthorization from the CDCP before the appointment; the practice submits it.
Finding a dentist who bills the CDCP
1. Start with the official search
Sun Life's provider search lists practices that have enrolled to bill the plan directly, by name, specialty or location. Not every participating practice appears in it.
Sun Life CDCP provider search2. Then phone the practice
Ask whether they accept CDCP patients and bill Sun Life directly, and whether any of their fees are above the CDCP fee. The province listings below give you each practice's phone number, address and website.
Find local dental practices
Scheme directories list practice-reported participation. General directories include practices whose participation is unknown. Confirm coverage, billing and appointments directly.
Neighbourhoods may be grouped under a larger city. For Orléans, High Park or North York, check each practice address before calling. A general city listing does not establish CDCP billing or new-patient availability.
Browse Canadian dental practices by province
How to apply
Apply online through My Service Canada Account or the Government of Canada's application form, or by phone at 1-833-537-4342 (TTY 1-833-677-6262). Have your Social Insurance Number, date of birth, address, and details of any government dental coverage ready for yourself and your spouse or partner. You confirm each year that you still have no access to private dental insurance.
Apply on canada.caCommon questions
- Does every dentist accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
- No. Since July 2024 any oral health provider can bill the CDCP on a claim-by-claim basis, but participation is the practice's choice, and the Sun Life provider search does not list every participating practice. The reliable check is to call the practice and ask whether it bills Sun Life directly for CDCP patients.
- Will the CDCP cover the whole bill?
- Not always. If your adjusted family net income is $70,000 or more you pay a co-payment of 40% or 60%. Separately, a practice may charge more than the CDCP fee for a service, and you pay that difference. Ask for the amount you will owe before treatment starts.
- How do I apply for the CDCP?
- Apply online through My Service Canada Account or the Government of Canada application form, or by phone at 1-833-537-4342 (TTY 1-833-677-6262). You will need your Social Insurance Number, date of birth, address, and details of any government dental coverage. Eligibility is reviewed each benefit year, so you renew annually.
- Can I use DentalPresence to find a CDCP dentist?
- DentalPresence lists Canadian dental practices by province and city with each practice's phone number, address and verified website, so you can call and ask about CDCP billing. Claimed practices can report whether they bill the CDCP, with the date of their declaration shown on the profile. Unknown participation is labelled as not stated. DentalPresence does not independently verify these declarations and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or Sun Life.
- Is the CDCP the same as provincial dental programs?
- No. Provincial and territorial programs continue to run alongside it. If you are covered by one, you can still apply for the CDCP; the plans coordinate to avoid paying for the same service twice.
Run a Canadian dental practice?
Patients arrive at your DentalPresence page from searches like this one. Claim it to keep your phone number, hours and website current, then use CDCP settings to declare whether you bill the plan. Your declaration can qualify your profile for a local CDCP directory once enough eligible practices participate.