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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Canadian Dental Care Plan
Port Dover Family Dentistry welcomes eligible Canadian Dental Care Plan patients.
New patients welcomeCDCP accepted
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CDCP in Port Dover
A clearer path to affordable dental care.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program that helps eligible Canadian residents pay for a range of oral health services. Port Dover Family Dentistry welcomes eligible CDCP patients and can help you understand the practical steps involved in planning a visit.
The CDCP is not the same as free dental care and it is not a traditional private insurance plan. The amount paid by the plan depends on your adjusted family net income, the service, the CDCP fee schedule, frequency limits and whether preauthorization is required.
01
No private coverage
You cannot have access to private dental insurance or a dental health spending account.
02
Tax returns filed
You and your spouse or common-law partner, if applicable, must have filed the required Canadian tax returns.
03
Income under $90,000
Your adjusted family net income must be below $90,000.
04
Canadian resident
You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
Eligibility checklist
Do you qualify for the CDCP?
You must meet all four federal requirements. The dental office does not decide who qualifies—Service Canada assesses eligibility and provides your coverage start date.
| Requirement | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| No access to private dental insurance | No coverage through your work, pension, spouse or family member, professional or student organization, a purchased policy, or a dental health spending account. | Review T4 box 45 and T4A box 015 for both you and your spouse or partner, if applicable. |
| Tax filing | You and your spouse or common-law partner, if applicable, filed Canadian tax returns so the previous year’s family income can be assessed. | Have your notice of assessment available before applying. |
| Adjusted family net income | Your adjusted family net income is less than $90,000. | This is a family calculation—not simply one person’s salary or take-home pay. |
| Canadian residency | You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes. | Residency for tax purposes is the federal standard used for the application. |
“I opted out” may still count as access
Choosing not to enrol in an available work, pension, student or family plan generally does not make someone eligible. The federal government considers whether coverage is available to you, even if you do not use it or must pay a premium.
A limited exception may apply to a retired person who opted out of pension dental coverage before December 11, 2023 and cannot opt back in.
Government dental programs are different
Having coverage through an Ontario, territorial or federal social dental program does not automatically disqualify you. If you otherwise qualify, benefits may be coordinated to avoid duplicate payment.
Private, employer and pension plans are treated differently and generally make you ineligible.
Check the official eligibility rulesCoverage and co-payments
How much does the CDCP pay?
The plan pays a percentage of the CDCP-established fee for eligible services. Your income band determines the plan percentage—not necessarily the percentage of the dental office’s total fee.
CDCP share of established fees
Income basedUnder $70,000100%
$70,000–$79,99960%
$80,000–$89,99940%
Plan-paid portionPotential co-payment portion
Important
100% does not always mean a $0 bill.
Even when the CDCP pays 100% of its established fee, you may still owe an amount if the dental office’s fee is higher than the CDCP amount, if a service is outside plan limits, or if the service is not covered.
- Ask for an estimate before treatment.
- Confirm your coverage and co-payment level are active.
- Ask which proposed services require preauthorization.
| Adjusted family net income | CDCP pays | Your income-based co-payment | Possible additional amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | $100 | $0 | Any provider/CDCP fee difference or non-covered amount |
| $70,000–$79,999 | $60 | $40 | Any provider/CDCP fee difference or non-covered amount |
| $80,000–$89,999 | $40 | $60 | Any provider/CDCP fee difference or non-covered amount |
This example explains the percentage calculation only. It is not a quote for any dental service.
Services and limitations
What dental care may be covered?
The CDCP covers a broad range of oral healthcare when clinically recommended and when plan criteria are met. Coverage is individual: frequency limits, oral health history, medical conditions and preauthorization rules can affect whether a specific procedure is payable.
| Category | Examples that may be covered | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic and preventive | Complete, recall, specific and emergency exams; X-rays; scaling; fluoride; sealants. | Frequency limits can apply. Extra services beyond limits may require preauthorization. |
| Fillings and basic restorative care | Permanent and temporary fillings, pain control for diseased teeth and certain other cavity treatments. | Coverage depends on the tooth, material, condition and plan rules. |
| Root canal services | Root canal treatment, pulpectomy and procedures to reduce infection or relieve pain. | Some treatments and re-treatments require preauthorization and restorability criteria. |
| Gum care | Cleaning below the gumline, abscess treatment and non-surgical management of gum disease. | Additional scaling or root planing and some related services may require preauthorization. |
| Crowns and major restorative care | Certain crown repairs, re-bonding, posts, cores and single-unit crowns. | Crowns, related cores and posts can require preauthorization and must meet detailed clinical criteria. |
| Dentures | Complete dentures, temporary dentures, repairs, relines, rebases and tissue-conditioning liners. | Partial dentures, immediate dentures and overdentures may require preauthorization. |
| Oral surgery | Removal of teeth and roots, drainage procedures and certain surgical treatment of cysts, tumours or jaw injuries. | Some surgical services require preauthorization and supporting records. |
| Sedation and anesthesia | Nitrous oxide, oral sedation and certain conscious or deep sedation services. | Conscious sedation, deep sedation and general anesthesia may require preauthorization. |
| Orthodontics | A limited range is planned for eligible members. | Not available yet The federal launch date remains to be determined. |
Covered
Still subject to plan rules
A listed category does not mean every procedure or frequency is automatically covered.
Preauthorization
Approval comes before care
When required, Sun Life reviews the clinical documentation against CDCP criteria before treatment begins.
Choice
You remain in control
You may choose care that is not covered, but you would be responsible for that cost.
Application process
How to apply for the CDCP
Apply through Service Canada—not through the dental office. Applying is free, and the CDCP will never ask you to pay an application or renewal fee.
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Review private coverage, tax filing, adjusted family net income and Canadian residency.
- 2
Gather information
Prepare names, birth dates, SINs when available, addresses, tax information and details of government dental programs.
- 3
Apply with Service Canada
Use My Service Canada Account, the Canada.ca application or call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342.
- 4
Wait for your start date
Book CDCP-covered care only on or after the benefit coverage start date in your approval information.
Information to have ready
- ●Full legal name
- ●Date of birth
- ●SIN, if available for children
- ●Home and mailing address
- ●Notice of assessment
- ●Spouse or partner information
- ●Details of coverage through government social dental programs, if applicable
Apply directly
Use an official Government of Canada channel.
Online applications are available through My Service Canada Account or Canada.ca. If you cannot apply online, Service Canada accepts applications by phone.
Using CDCP in Port Dover
Prepare for your first appointment.
Once Service Canada approves your application, your coverage information is administered through Sun Life. Bring enough information for the dental team to confirm that your coverage is active and discuss expected costs before treatment.
Bring or know these four items
- 1Your CDCP member ID
- 2A piece of identification
- 3Your benefit coverage start date
- 4Your co-payment level
- 1
Tell us you are a CDCP member
Share your member ID and coverage start date when requesting your Port Dover appointment.
- 2
We assess your oral health
Your dentist recommends care based on your clinical needs. CDCP coverage rules are then considered separately.
- 3
Review coverage and estimated costs
Ask what the CDCP may pay, whether a co-payment or fee difference applies and if preauthorization is required.
- 4
Choose how to proceed
You decide whether to accept the proposed treatment after understanding the clinical recommendation and expected costs.
Preauthorization explained
Some services need approval before treatment.
Preauthorization is a coverage review, not a substitute for your dentist’s clinical advice. The dental provider sends the required treatment details and supporting records to Sun Life. The request is assessed against Health Canada’s CDCP criteria.
Not every request is approved. Even an approval does not guarantee payment if your eligibility, plan rules or coverage change before the service date. Most approvals are valid for up to 12 months; some preventive and periodontal approvals may be valid for up to 24 months, provided coverage remains active.
The preauthorization path
- 1Clinical recommendationYour provider identifies a service and explains the treatment.
- 2Records submittedRequired forms, radiographs, charts or treatment details are sent.
- 3Coverage decisionSun Life assesses the request using CDCP rules and clinical criteria.
- 4Review before careYou discuss the result and any remaining costs before proceeding.
Annual renewal
Coverage does not renew automatically forever.
Members must renew each year and continue meeting the eligibility requirements. A missed deadline can create a gap, and care received during that gap is not covered retroactively.
Read the renewal informationKeep information current
Update changes through Service Canada.
Use My Service Canada Account or contact Service Canada if your address, contact details or access to other dental benefits changes. You can review claims and plan details through your Sun Life account.
What to do after applyingCDCP questions
Frequently asked questions in Port Dover
These answers provide general guidance. Your federal eligibility and exact coverage are determined by Service Canada, Sun Life and the CDCP rules in effect when care is provided.
Ask our dental teamDoes Port Dover Family Dentistry accept CDCP patients?+
Yes. We welcome eligible CDCP patients. Tell our team you have CDCP coverage when booking so we can collect the information needed for your visit.
Is CDCP dental care completely free?+
Not necessarily. Your income band may create a 40% or 60% co-payment of CDCP-established fees. You may also owe the difference between the provider’s fee and the CDCP fee, or the cost of services the plan does not cover.
Can I qualify if I chose not to join my employer plan?+
Generally no. The CDCP considers whether you have access to private coverage, even if you decline it, do not use it or must pay a premium.
Can I use CDCP before my coverage start date?+
No. Services are eligible only on or after the start date provided in your approval information. Coverage is not retroactive for care received before that date or during a coverage gap.
Do I need the physical Sun Life card before booking?+
The federal guidance says you do not need to wait for the physical package if you have your member ID, identification, benefit start date and co-payment level. Coverage should still be confirmed before care.
Are cleanings and exams covered?+
Exams, X-rays, scaling, fluoride and sealants are among the preventive services that may be covered, subject to plan rules and frequency limits.
Are crowns, root canals and dentures covered?+
Some root canal, crown and denture services may be covered when clinical and plan criteria are met. Certain major services require preauthorization before treatment.
Does CDCP cover Invisalign or braces?+
Orthodontic services are not currently available under the CDCP. The federal government says a limited range will become available later on a date still to be determined, with preauthorization required.
Can I be reimbursed if I pay the full bill myself?+
No. Under federal rules, Sun Life reimburses participating oral health providers for covered services; CDCP members cannot submit their own claims for reimbursement.
How often must I renew?+
Every year. The CDCP benefit period ends June 30, and members must renew during the announced renewal window to confirm continued eligibility and avoid a gap.
CDCP dentist in Port Dover
Ready to discuss your dental care?
If your coverage is active, contact Port Dover Family Dentistry with your member details. We can arrange a visit and help you understand the treatment and cost questions to ask.
Sources and disclaimer: This page is general educational information, not a guarantee of eligibility, coverage or payment. Official rules and plan decisions prevail. Information was reviewed against the Government of Canada’s eligibility requirements, coverage and co-payment information, application guidance, after-you-apply guidance and the CDCP Dental Benefits Guide.