UNDERSTANDING THE CANADIAN DENTAL CARE PLAN (CDCP)
at Clarence Street Dental
Taking care of your smile just got a little easier! The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal government program designed to help make dental care more affordable for eligible Canadians. If you are thinking about using CDCP at Clarence Street Dental, here is everything you need to know about how it works, what is covered, and how to apply.
HOW CDCP COVERAGE WORKS
CDCP determines your coverage level based on your adjusted family net income. It is important to know that CDCP uses its own specific fee guide, which is different from the standard Ontario Dental Association (ODA) fee guide that we follow at Clarence Street Dental. Because of this difference, there may be a remaining balance (co-payment) that you will need to pay at our office at the time of your appointment.
Your coverage tier depends on your net income:
- Under $70,000: CDCP covers 100% of the CDCP fee guide.
- $70,000 to $79,999: CDCP covers 60% of the CDCP fee guide.
- $80,000 to $89,999: CDCP covers 40% of the CDCP fee guide.
WHAT TREATMENT IS COVERED?
At Clarence Street Dental, we want to make sure your oral health remains the top priority. Most routine and essential treatments are eligible under the plan, though some require extra steps.
BASIC DENTAL SERVICES
- Routine Cleanings (covered once per calendar year)
- Fillings
- Root Canals
- Extractions
Note: If you need more than 4 units of scaling (deep cleaning) per year, our team can request additional coverage for you.
MAJOR DENTAL SERVICES
More complex treatments require us to submit a preauthorization on your behalf. Approvals usually take a couple of weeks:
- Crowns
- Dentures
- Additional Units of Scaling
DENTAL SERVICES NOT COVERED
CDCP does not offer coverage for cosmetic or advanced restorative dental treatment, including:
- Veneers
- Dental Implants
- Bridges
- Orthodontics (braces)
- Orthodontics is not yet available but it is noted to be on the list of eligible benefits in the future – the date has not yet been determined.
If you need any dental treatment that is not eligible and are worried about the cost, please speak with us! We are happy to discuss flexible financial arrangements to make your care possible.
HOW TO APPLY OR RENEW YOUR COVERAGE
- Online: Visit the official Canada.ca application page or log into your My Service Canada Account.
- By Phone: Call Service Canada directly at 1-833-537-4342.
WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE READY
- Full name and date of birth
- Home and mailing address
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Your recent Notice of Assessment (and your spouse’s, if applicable) for the previous year
- A list of any current dental coverage you receive through other government programs (like ODSP, HSO, or NIHB)
Important: Your coverage expires every year on June 30th and requires annual renewal each spring.
READY FOR YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT?
When you book your next visit with Clarence Street Dental, please provide us with your CDCP card number and a photo of your approval letter. This helps our team confirm your exact coverage level and plan expiry date so your billing goes smoothly.
Contact Clarence Street Dental today to schedule your next visit—our team looks forward to seeing you!