Tooth decay is the most common, but preventable, childhood chronic disease both in Canada and around the world. Since oral disease most frequently begins in the preschool years, it is important to establish good oral hygiene behaviors early on. Healthy teeth and gums make for a happier and healthier person! In Canada, one third of people do not have dental insurance, and as a result, many go without necessary dental care because it costs too much.
South Family Dental is pleased to inform patients about The Canadian Dental Benefit Program (CDCP), which sets the course for Canadians to take good care of their teeth and gums! The Government of Canada has implemented this program with the aim of helping make the cost of dental care more affordable for eligible Canadian residents, ensuring that dental care remains accessible for everyone.
● Seniors aged 65 and over
● Children under the age of 18
● Adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit Certificate
All remaining eligible residents (not in one of the above groups) can apply starting in 2025.
To qualify for the CDCP, you must meet ALL 4 of the following requirements:
● You do not have access to any type of dental insurance or coverage, including through your employment benefits or a family member’s benefits, a professional or student organization, your pension benefits or a family member’s pension benefits, or coverage purchased by your or a family member or through a group plan from an insurance or benefits company,
● Your adjusted family net income is less than $90,000
● You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes
● You filed your tax return for the previous year
If you have dental coverage through government social programs, including through a provincial, territorial or federal government social program, you can still qualify for the CDCP. If you qualify, your coverage will be coordinated between the plans to ensure there are no duplications or gaps in coverage.
● The CDCP is a dental benefit administered by Health Canada. It is not a free dental program.
● Patients will still be required to make a co-payment (pay for a portion of their dental care under the CDCP) depending on their adjusted family net income. It is best to contact Health Canada to discuss your specific coverage.
● Patient may also have to pay costs that the CDCP does not cover
● Not all dental services are covered under the CDCP
● Before proceeding with treatment, it is important to understand your dental care costs.
To complete the application, you will need to provide the following information for each applicant and your spouse or common-law partner (if you have one):
● Social Insurance Number (SIN) (if available for children)
● Proof of Income
● Date of Birth
● Full name
● Home and mailing address
● List of dental coverage you have through government social programs (if any)
● You and your spouse or common-law partner (if applicable) must file your tax return for 2023 and have received your Notice of Assessment
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) My Account is the quickest, easiest and most secure way to apply for the Canada Dental Benefit. If you do not yet have a CRA My Account, you can register at Canada.ca/my-CRA-account.
You are encouraged to apply for the Canadian Dental Benefit Program online. If you are unable to apply online, call 1-833-537-4342 to get your application started.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) will help pay for a portion of the cost for a wide range of oral health services. Some services and additional treatments beyond established frequency limits will require preauthorization by the CDCP before treatment can be received. Examples of services that could be covered include:
● Diagnostic Services, including regular dental examinations and X-rays
● Preventive Services, including professional teeth cleaning (scaling), polishing, fluoride applications and dental sealants
● Restorative Services, including dental fillings
● Endodontic Services (treatment of teeth that are severely decayed, infected or broken) including root canal treatment
● Periodontal services (treatment of areas around the teeth including gums and bone), including deep scaling
● Prosthodontic Services (services that replace missing teeth), including complete and partial removable dentures
● Oral Surgery Services, including tooth extractions
● Anesthesia or Sedation Services
● Emergency Dental Care – urgent treatment to address dental infection, toothache, and other immediate dental health issues.
● Orthodontic Services – These are not yet available. They will be added in 2025.
The CDCP will reimburse a portion of the cost of your treatment, but it may not pay the full amount. You may have to pay additional charges directly to your oral health provider if:
If you currently have existing insurance, you SHOULD NOT cancel your insurance as not all details of the CDCP are public knowledge at this time. You are still considered to have access to dental insurance if you choose to opt out of available benefits like these.
South Family Dental is dedicated to providing patients with the very best dental care possible, and we are proud to announce that our clinic is now participating in the Canadian Dental Care Program (CDCP). This means that we are pleased to accept all CDCP coverage, making it simpler and easier for eligible patients to access necessary dental services.
If you have any questions or concerns about the Canadian Dental Care Plan, South Family Dental is here to help walk you through the process of understanding how the plan works and whether you qualify. We believe that good oral health matters, and we believe in the importance of the Canadian Dental Care Plan in helping Canadians have a healthy and beautiful smile. Please call us today at (403) 262-3235 and we will be happy to help.
You can contact a representative of the CDCP directly at 1-833-537-4342 (TTY: 1-833-677-6262)
For more information regarding details of the Canadian Dental Benefit Program, or to apply online, please check online at Canada.ca/my-cra-account, or call the CRA client contact center at 1-833-537-4342.
For more information regarding details of the Canadian Dental Benefit Program, you can contact Walden Family Dental at (403) 262-3235 and we will be happy to help.
