Managing your family’s budget while keeping everyone’s smile healthy can be a balancing act. At Hometown Dental, the team understands this challenge. You may have heard about the federal program designed to help with dental costs, the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a government program that offers some dental coverage to eligible Canadian residents to make dental care more accessible. It’s designed to help families who do not have private dental insurance get the oral health care they need.
What the Canadian Dental Care Plan Means for You
The CDCP is a federal program created to help ease the financial side of dental care. When you visit your dentist for family dentistry, it is important to know that the plan might not cover the full cost of your family’s treatment.
As of 2025, applications are open to all eligible Canadian residents. To get a clear picture of what the plan covers for you, you can review the details on the official government website.
Find Out if You Qualify for the CDCP
The 4 Main Requirements
To be eligible for the CDCP, you generally need to meet four main conditions:
- You have no access to other dental insurance
- Your adjusted annual family net income is below $90,000
- You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes
- You filed your tax return in the previous year
Sources of Other Dental Insurance
You may not qualify for the CDCP if you have access to dental benefits from other sources, such as:
- Your employer or a family member’s employer
- Your pension benefits or those of a family member
- A plan you purchased yourself
How the CDCP Helps with Your Dental Costs
Do You Still Have to Pay for Services?
Even with CDCP coverage, you may still need to pay for a portion of your dental care—this is often called a co-payment. The CDCP has its own fee guide, and the government provides details about what percentage of costs are covered, which may be different from the fees at your dental office.
You are responsible for paying any difference between the CDCP established fee and the office fee. You also cover the costs for any services that the plan does not include.
Your Co-Payment & Family Income
The co-payment amount you might have depends on your adjusted annual family net income:
- Under $70,000: You may have no co-payment.
- $70,000 to $79,999: You may have a 40% co-payment.
- $80,000 to $89,999: You may have a 60% co-payment.
Dental Services Covered by the Plan
Preventive & Diagnostic Care
The plan helps cover many services that are key to keeping your family’s teeth healthy, including:
- Scaling & cleanings
- Polishing, sealants & fluoride
- Dental exams & X-rays
Restorative & Other Treatments
It also provides some coverage for treatments that can fix dental problems, such as:
- Fillings
- Root canal treatments
- Complete & partial removable dentures
- Tooth extractions
The CDCP & Your Family’s Oral Health
Support for Children & Seniors
The CDCP application process now welcomes all eligible age groups, making it easier for children under 18 and seniors to get care. This plan can help your family access important oral health services from your local dentist in Okotoks.
Get Official Answers About Your Coverage
The CDCP is not intended to replace any existing dental benefits you may have. Before you apply or schedule an appointment, it is a good practice to speak with the CDCP team.
They can confirm your eligibility and give you the most accurate information about what the plan covers for you. You can reach them at 1-833-537-4342.
Understanding how programs like the CDCP fit into your family’s health care is a great step. The team at Hometown Dental is committed to providing clear information so you can make informed decisions for your family’s smiles.
If you have questions about your dental health or want to schedule a visit, call Hometown Dental today. The team is here to support your family’s journey to healthy smiles.
