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Updated for the 2026–2027 benefit period
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP): a guide for Abbotsford patients
The CDCP is a federal program that helps eligible Canadian residents pay for dental care. This guide explains who qualifies, what is covered, what you may still pay, and what to do before you book a visit.
For residents without access to dental insurance
Adjusted family net income under $90,000
Covers 40% to 100% of CDCP fees
Coverage must be renewed every year
Understanding the plan
What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a Government of Canada program that helps cover the cost of oral health care for eligible residents who do not have access to dental insurance.
The plan is run by the federal government, and claims are handled through Sun Life. Eligibility, coverage and co-payments are decided by the Government of Canada, not by your dental office. What we can do is help you understand how the plan works when you visit us, and what your costs are likely to be before any treatment begins.
If you have questions about using the CDCP at our clinic, call us at 604-853-3305 before you book and our team will walk you through it.
To qualify, you must meet all four requirements
- You do not have access to private dental insurance or coverage, including through an employer, a pension, a family member or a health spending account
- You, and your spouse or common-law partner if you have one, have filed your tax returns in Canada
- Your adjusted family net income is less than $90,000
- You, and your spouse or common-law partner, are Canadian residents for tax purposes
Having dental coverage you do not use still counts as having access. If you are covered by a provincial or federal social program, you could still qualify.
Coverage
What does the CDCP cover?
The plan covers a range of oral health services. Many are covered without pre-approval. Others need preauthorization from the plan before the treatment is done.
Checkups and prevention
Exams, X-rays, cleanings (scaling), fluoride applications and sealants.
Fillings
Permanent and temporary fillings, and pain control during treatment.
Root canal treatment
Root canals and related treatment for the inside of the tooth. Re-treatment of a root canal needs preauthorization.
Gum care
Cleaning under the gumline, treatment of abscesses and non-surgical management of gum disease.
Dentures and oral surgery
Complete dentures, denture repairs and relines, and removal of teeth and roots. Crowns and partial dentures need preauthorization.
Sedation
Nitrous oxide and oral sedation. Conscious sedation, deep sedation and general anesthesia need preauthorization.
Not every preauthorization request is approved, and services have frequency limits. Orthodontic services are currently not available under the plan. See the Government of Canada’s list of services covered by the CDCP.
What you may pay
CDCP co-payments by income
The CDCP does not always cover the full cost of care. How much the plan pays depends on your adjusted family net income.
Income under $70,000
The plan covers 100% of eligible costs at the CDCP established fees. Your co-payment is 0% of those fees.
$70,000 to $79,999
The plan covers 60% of eligible costs at the CDCP established fees. Your co-payment is 40%.
$80,000 to $89,999
The plan covers 40% of eligible costs at the CDCP established fees. Your co-payment is 60%.
You may have additional charges on top of any co-payment. CDCP established fees may not be the same as what a dental office charges, and you may agree to services the plan does not cover. We explain any costs the plan will not cover before treatment begins.
Getting started
How to apply and use your coverage
Check that you qualify
Review the four requirements. You will need your Social Insurance Number, date of birth, full name and address to apply.
Apply to the plan
Apply online through Canada.ca or by calling Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342. A spouse or common-law partner submits their own application.
Wait for your start date
Your enrolment letter gives your member ID, coverage start date and co-payment level. Sun Life then mails a welcome package with your member card.
Book your visit
Book an appointment for on or after your coverage start date. Only care received after your start date is covered.
Be prepared
What to bring to your appointment
Have these with you so we can confirm your coverage:
- Your CDCP member card or member ID
- Government-issued photo ID
- Your benefit coverage start date
- Your co-payment level, from your enrolment letter
- A list of your current medications and any allergies
New to our clinic? See what to expect as a new patient.
Good to know
Before you book
A few points from the Government of Canada that are easy to miss:
- Check that your coverage is active before each appointment
- Care received before your start date, or during a gap in coverage, is not covered or reimbursed
- If you pay the full cost yourself, Sun Life will not reimburse you
- You must renew every year. The benefit period ends on June 30
- Ask about any costs the plan will not cover before treatment
Good to know
CDCP questions
Who qualifies for the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
You must meet all four requirements: no access to private dental insurance, tax returns filed in Canada, an adjusted family net income under $90,000, and Canadian residency for tax purposes. The tax and residency rules also apply to your spouse or common-law partner.
Does the CDCP cover the full cost of dental care?
Not always. The plan pays 100%, 60% or 40% of its established fees depending on your income. You may also have additional charges if the cost of care is more than the plan reimburses, or if you choose services the plan does not cover. Ask us about any costs before treatment begins.
I have dental benefits through work but do not use them. Can I apply?
No. Under the federal rules, having access to private dental coverage means you do not qualify, even if you do not use it or pay a premium for it. This includes coverage through an employer, a pension, a family member’s plan or a health spending account that covers dental costs.
Can I book an appointment before my coverage starts?
The Government of Canada advises that you should not book an appointment before your benefit coverage start date. Only care received on or after your start date is covered, and earlier care is not reimbursed.
Do I have to renew my CDCP coverage?
Yes. Coverage must be renewed every year, and the benefit period ends on June 30. If you miss the renewal period there will be a gap in your coverage until a new application is approved, and care received during the gap is not covered.
Are braces or other orthodontic treatment covered?
Orthodontic services are currently not available under the CDCP. Check the Government of Canada website for updates. You can read about orthodontics at our clinic and ask us about other payment options.
What does preauthorization mean?
Some services, such as crowns and partial dentures, must be approved by the plan before they are done. Treatment waits until the plan has made a decision, and not all requests are approved.
How do I apply for the CDCP?
Apply online through Canada.ca, or call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342. You will need your Social Insurance Number, date of birth, full name and address. Once approved, you receive an enrolment letter and then a welcome package with your member card from Sun Life.
How does the CDCP work at Sumas Mountain Village Dental?
Call us at 604-853-3305 before you book. Our team will explain how CDCP claims are handled at our clinic, check the details you need to bring, and go over any costs you may be responsible for.
This page is a general summary for our patients, last reviewed in November 2026. The Canadian Dental Care Plan is run by the Government of Canada, which decides eligibility and coverage, and the rules can change. For current information visit the Canadian Dental Care Plan website.
Questions about the CDCP?
Call us and our front desk team will go through how the plan works for your visit, and what to bring.
#110 – 2362 Whatcom Road, Abbotsford, BC V3G 0C1
Off Highway 1 near the Save-On-Foods in Sumas Mountain Village. Get directions
Office hours
| Monday | 9:30 am – 5:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:30 am – 6:30 pm |
| Thursday | Alternating 9:30 am – 5:30 pm and 10:30 am – 6:30 pm |
| Friday | 9:30 am – 5:30 pm |
| Saturday | 8:30 am – 3:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
For help with a CDCP application, call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342, Monday to Friday. All of our dentists are general dentists.