What Is CDCP? Your 2026 Guide to Eligibility, the Fee Guide and Coverage

Last reviewed against Canada.ca and Sun Life: October 2026. Coverage figures are subject to change each benefit year — confirm your specific coverage at your appointment.

What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a federal government program that provides dental coverage to Canadians who do not have private dental insurance and whose household income falls below the eligibility threshold. It is administered by Sun Life on behalf of Health Canada and applies across every province and territory.

The plan launched in phases starting in late 2023 and reached full eligibility (all uninsured adults) in 2024. It is not a replacement for provincial dental programs — it runs alongside them and covers services that are not otherwise insured.

Who Qualifies for CDCP in 2026?

To be eligible for the 2026–27 benefit year you must:

• Be a Canadian resident with a valid Social Insurance Number
• File a tax return (eligibility is assessed from your most recent tax filing)
• Have an adjusted family net income under $90,000
• Not have access to private dental insurance through an employer, pension plan, or purchased plan

Children, seniors, adults with disabilities, and working-age adults are all eligible, provided the income and insurance conditions are met. Eligibility is assessed annually — if your situation changes, your coverage status may change at the next benefit-year renewal.

CDCP for Seniors

Canadians 65 and older were among the first groups to become eligible, starting in December 2023. Today, eligible seniors apply and renew the same way as everyone else.

Coverage for seniors includes preventive care (cleaning, X-rays), restorative care (fillings, crown), and dentures — subject to the CDCP’s established fees and frequency limits. Co-payments apply based on household income (see tiers below).

Co-Payment Tiers for 2026

Your out-of-pocket share depends on your adjusted family net income. The tiers below reflect the structure in effect for the 2026 benefit year — confirm with canada.ca/dental for any updates:

Adjusted Family Net Income	Your Co-Payment
Under $70,000	No co-payment (100% covered)
$70,000 – 79,999	40% co-payment
$80,000 – 89,999	60% co-payment
$90,000+	Not eligible

Note: The CDCP pays according to its own established fees (the CDCP Dental Benefit Grids), which are set separately from the Ontario Dental Association’s suggested fee guide. At Dentistry on Guelph, we do not charge CDCP patients more than the CDCP established fee, so there is no balance billing. We confirm your coverage and co-payment before any work starts.

CDCP Fee Guide 2026: The Dental Benefit Grids Explained

There is no single “CDCP fee guide.” The CDCP pays according to its Dental Benefit Grids, a list of established fees for each dental procedure code. A separate grid is published for each province and territory, and the 2026 grids took effect on April 1, 2026.

How the fee guide affects what you pay

• Your co-payment is a percentage of the CDCP established fee, based on your income tier (see the table above).
• Balance billing happens when an office charges more than the CDCP established fee. In that case, the patient may pay the difference on top of any co-payment.

For example, if the CDCP established fee for a service were $100 and an office charged $120, a patient in the under-$70,000 tier could still owe the $20 difference. At Dentistry on Guelph, we bill at the CDCP established fee, so there is no extra difference to pay.

Where to find the official 2026 fee grids

The official grids are published on Sun Life’s CDCP Dental Benefit Grids page, and the coverage rules are in the Government of Canada’s CDCP Dental Benefits Guide. These documents are written for dental offices, so if you have questions about a specific treatment, our team is happy to explain it in plain language.

What Does CDCP Cover?

Coverage is divided into categories. Not every service is covered for every patient — the plan uses an evidence-based approach and some services require prior approval or have annual limits. The main covered categories include:

• Preventive care — oral exams, X-rays, teeth cleaning (scaling), fluoride treatments, sealants
• Restorative care — fillings, dental crowns, inlays and onlays
• Endodontic treatment — root canal therapy
• Periodontal treatment — gum disease treatment
• Prosthodontics — dentures (complete and partial), denture repairs
• Oral surgery — extractions including wisdom teeth

Services not covered include cosmetic procedures (whitening, veneers for aesthetic reasons), orthodontics (braces, Invisalign) in most cases, implants in most cases, and services already covered by a provincial program.

For a detailed list by treatment, see what CDCP covers in 2026.

How Does the CDCP Work at a Dental Office?

1. You apply through Sun Life — applications are completed online at canada.ca/dental or by phone. Once approved, you receive a welcome letter with your coverage details.
2. You bring your coverage information to your appointment — your Social Insurance Number and the welcome letter are the main items needed.
3. Your dentist submits claims directly — registered CDCP providers bill Sun Life directly. You pay only your co-payment (if any) at the visit. There are no forms for you to submit.
4. You renew every year — CDCP coverage ends on June 30 each year, and you need to renew before June 1 to avoid a gap in coverage. See our CDCP renewal guide.

Finding a CDCP Dentist

Not all dental offices are registered CDCP providers. To receive CDCP benefits, you must see a dentist who has signed up with Sun Life under the program. Dentistry on Guelph is a registered CDCP provider — we accept new CDCP patients and bill Sun Life directly on your behalf.

If you are searching for a CDCP dentist near you, you can use the provider directory at canada.ca/dental or call our office at (226) 541-5050 and we will confirm availability for your situation.

See our CDCP dentist page for Guelph patients →

Frequency Limits and Preauthorization

Instead of annual dollar maximums, the CDCP limits how often some services are covered within a set period, such as exams and cleanings. These frequency limits are based on rolling periods. Some services, and services beyond the usual limits, need preauthorization from the CDCP before treatment. Our team checks this for you before your appointment.

Confirm current rules in the CDCP Dental Benefits Guide or ask our front desk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find the CDCP fee guide for 2026?
The CDCP’s fees are listed in its Dental Benefit Grids, published by province on Sun Life’s CDCP website. The 2026 grids took effect April 1, 2026. At Dentistry on Guelph, we bill at these established fees, so CDCP patients do not pay any difference above them.

Can I use CDCP at any dentist?
No — only at registered CDCP providers. Dentistry on Guelph is registered and accepting new patients.

Do I need to pay anything upfront?
If your household income is under $70,000, you pay nothing at the visit. If your income is $70,000–89,999, you pay your co-payment portion at the time of the appointment.

What if my employer offers dental insurance but it does not cover very much?
If you have access to any employer or group dental plan — even a limited one — you are not eligible for CDCP. Eligibility requires having no access to private dental insurance at all.

I just moved to Canada. Can I apply?
You must be a Canadian resident with a Social Insurance Number and a tax filing history. Newcomers on IFHP (Interim Federal Health Program) have separate coverage — see our IFHP page.

My income changed this year. Does my CDCP status change?
Your eligibility is assessed from your most recent tax return. If your income has changed, it will be reflected at the next annual renewal — not mid-year.