January 22, 2024
In a significant move toward improving oral health care accessibility for Canadian residents, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has been introduced. Designed to alleviate financial barriers, this plan targets eligible individuals with an annual adjusted family net income of less than $90,000 who currently lack dental insurance.
Do You Qualify?
To qualify for the CDCP, certain eligibility criteria must be met. Notably, individuals must not have access to dental insurance and have an adjusted family net income below $90,000. Additionally, being a Canadian resident for tax purposes and having filed taxes in the previous year are prerequisites. For families, both spouses or common-law partners need to fulfill these conditions.
How to Apply?
The application process is structured based on age groups and disability status. Starting from December 2023 for seniors aged 87 and above, the enrolment schedule progresses until 2025 for all remaining eligible Canadian residents. Sun Life, the contracted service provider, manages the CDCP on behalf of the Government of Canada and will provide you with a welcome package including your member card and coverage start date.
Annual Reassessment and Eligibility
To continue benefiting from the CDCP, individuals must meet the eligibility criteria each year. Further details on the annual reassessment process will be provided at a later date.
What Services are Covered?
The CDCP covers a range of oral health care services to maintain healthy teeth and address potential issues. These services include preventive, diagnostic, restorative, endodontic, prosthodontic, periodontal, and oral surgery services. Please note, this plan DOES NOT COVER comprehensive treatments such as dental crowns and implants.
Cost Coverage and Adjusted Family Net Income
The CDCP aims to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for covered individuals. The plan reimburses a percentage of eligible expenses, with a co-payment based on adjusted family net income. Those with an income lower than $70,000 will have 100% of eligible costs covered, while the coverage decreases with higher incomes, reaching a 40% coverage for those with an income between $80,000 and $89,999.
If the dentist chooses to follow the provincial fee guide, as opposed to the CDCP fee guide, patients should be aware that there may be additional charges and should always confirm what costs will not be covered prior to booking treatment.