The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), explained

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program that helps pay for dental care for Canadian residents who have no dental insurance and an adjusted family net income under $90,000. Depending on your income, it pays either all of the CDCP fee or 40% to 60% of it, and the dental office bills Sun Life directly.

This guide explains the plan in plain language. We are an independent directory, not the government. We check facts against canada.ca and link to the official pages so you can confirm anything that matters to you.

The plan in 60 seconds

• Who qualifies: Canadian residents for tax purposes with no access to dental insurance, an adjusted family net income below $90,000, and a tax return filed for last year (for you and your spouse or partner). Check if you qualify.
• What it costs you: nothing to apply. At the dentist you pay a co-payment of 0%, 40% or 60% of the CDCP fee depending on income, plus any amount the clinic charges above the CDCP fee. See costs and extra fees.
• What it covers: exams, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, root canals, gum treatment, dentures, extractions and more. Some services need approval first, and orthodontics is not currently available. See what's covered.
• How to apply: online through My Service Canada Account or by phone at 1-833-537-4342. How to apply.
• Renewal: members must renew every year. The 2027–2028 renewal opens in spring 2027. Renewal guide.
• Finding a dentist: you can go to any provider who accepts CDCP patients. Our directory lists 589 clinics and shows how we know each one accepts the plan.

Guides in this section

• What is the CDCP? How the plan works, who runs it, and what Sun Life does.
• Eligibility and the quick checker. Four questions, about one minute.
• How to apply. What you need and which channel to use.
• What's covered. Services, preauthorization, and what is not covered.
• Costs, co-payments and extra fees. What you may pay at the clinic, and the questions to ask before treatment.
• Renewal. When to renew and what happens if you miss it.
• FAQ. Short answers to the questions people ask most.

Find a dentist that accepts the CDCP

Not every dental office takes CDCP patients, and the government notes that Sun Life's provider search may not list every participating provider. Our directory combines that search with the clinics' own websites and shows the date we last checked each listing. Browse by province: Ontario (210), Quebec (141), Alberta (110), British Columbia (98), Saskatchewan (30).

Sources: Canadian Dental Care Plan, canada.ca (page dated 2026-10-19); Who can qualify (2026-09-22); What's covered (2026-08-27).