CDCP costs, co-payments and extra fees
Last reviewed November 7, 2026
With the CDCP you can pay two things at the dentist: a co-payment of 0%, 40% or 60% of the CDCP fee depending on your income, and any amount the clinic charges above the CDCP fee (often called balance billing). Ask about both before treatment.
1. Your co-payment
| Adjusted family net income | Your co-payment | Example: service with a $100 CDCP fee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 0% | You pay $0 of the CDCP fee |
| $70,000 to $79,999 | 40% | You pay $40; CDCP pays $60 |
| $80,000 to $89,999 | 60% | You pay $60; CDCP pays $40 |
The $100 is an illustration, not a real fee. Your co-payment level can change when you renew, because it follows your latest income.
2. Fees above the CDCP rate
The CDCP pays according to its own fee schedule, and the government notes that CDCP fees may not match what providers charge. If a clinic's fee is higher than what the CDCP reimburses, you may be asked to pay the difference. That's on top of any co-payment.
Some clinics charge nothing extra; others do. On our clinic pages, the "No extra fees above CDCP rates" badge appears only when we have an explicit statement that a clinic doesn't charge more. Silence is never treated as a yes.
Questions to ask before treatment
- Do you accept CDCP patients, and will you bill Sun Life directly?
- Is my coverage active, and what is my co-payment level?
- What will I pay beyond my co-payment for this treatment plan?
- Does any of this need preauthorization from Sun Life?
- Is any part of the plan not covered by the CDCP?
Only providers are reimbursed by the CDCP. If you pay the whole bill yourself, you cannot claim it back, so make sure the clinic bills Sun Life directly.
Other things that affect what you pay
- Services not covered, such as orthodontics, are paid by you. See what's covered.
- Frequency limits: going past the plan's limits needs preauthorization, which may be refused.
- Timing: coverage follows the rules in effect on the day you get care, so an earlier estimate may change.
Looking for a clinic? Every listing in our directory shows its CDCP evidence and check date.
Sources: What's covered, co-payments and additional charges, canada.ca (2026-08-27); Renew your coverage (2026-09-22).