Everything You Need to Know About the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a new federal initiative designed to make dental services more accessible for Canadians without private dental insurance.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan is run by Health Canada and administered by Sun Life. It offers coverage for a wide range of dental services, including:

• Preventive care: cleaning 4 units (1 hour) 12 rolling months, exams, X-rays

• Restorative work: fillings, root canals, dentures

• Major services: crowns, anesthesia, oral surgery (some services require pre-authorization)

Who Qualifies for CDCP Coverage?

To be eligible, you must meet all the following criteria:

1. No access to dental coverage (private, employer-provided, or pension benefits)

2. Adjusted family net income under $90,000 per year

3. Canadian resident for tax purposes

4. Filed your tax return for the previous year

Residents already enrolled in government dental social programs (e.g., provincial plans, NIHB) may still qualify, depending on circumstances—it’s worth checking.

Applying for the CDCP

There are three ways to apply:

Method	Details
Online	Apply via the official portal using your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) — includes applicants and dependents in one submission. Smile Horizons Dental ArtsLeslie North Dental
By Phone	Call 1-833-537-4342 (TTY: 1-833-677-6262) to apply or get help. The automated service is available 24/7; staff assistance is available Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm local time. Government of CanadaCMHA NationalCSSSPNQL
In Person	Visit a Service Canada Centre to submit your application and documents directly.

When applying, you'll need:

• Your SIN, full name, date of birth, and address

• Your Notice of Assessment (latest tax year)

• Documentation of any existing government dental coverage

• For disability-related applicants: a valid Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certificate

What Happens Next?

Once your application is processed:

• You'll receive a letter with your CDCP member ID, coverage start date, and co-payment level (if applicable).

• Sun Life will send a welcome package with a member card.

• You can start booking covered services on or after your coverage start date.Government of CanadaCMHA NationalWikipedia

Note: Some co-payment tiers may apply based on your income (e.g., no co-payment if your income is below a certain threshold).

Need Assistance or Have Questions?

• General inquiries or help with your CDCP application?

  Call the Canada Dental Plan phone number: 1-833-537-4342 (TTY: 1-833-677-6262)

• Need help finding a participating dental provider?

• Contact Sun Life at 1-888-888-8110 Government of Canada+1Sun Life

Wait times are typically under 5 minutes, though this may vary.