Fees & coverage
The Canadian Dental Care Plan, in plain language.
The CDCP is a federal benefit that helps pay for dental care for Canadian residents who don't have private dental insurance. We accept it — and we bill Sun Life directly, so you only ever pay your share, in writing, before anything starts.
Have your member card already? Book — or call and we’ll confirm your coverage first.
At Auburn Centre Dental
We accept the CDCP — billed directly.
Bring your CDCP member card and photo ID to your appointment. We bill Sun Life directly for covered services, so you should never pay the full cost up front — the plan reimburses providers only, never patients.
Before any treatment starts, you get a written estimate: what the plan pays, your co-payment if you have one, and anything the plan doesn't cover. Not sure whether your coverage is active? Call us — we'll check it with you before you book.
Eligibility
Do you qualify?
All four of these must be true. The plan checks them when you apply, and again at every renewal.
Requirement 1
No private dental insurance
No access to coverage through work, a pension, a professional or student plan, or a policy you bought yourself — it counts even if you've never used it or chose not to enrol. One exception: retirees who opted out of pension dental coverage before December 11, 2023, and can't opt back in.
Requirement 2
You file your taxes
You — and your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one — filed last year's Canadian tax return and have your notice of assessment.
Requirement 3
Family income under $90,000
Your adjusted family net income is below $90,000 — broadly, line 23600 of your tax return with a few adjustments.
Requirement 4
Canadian resident
You're a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
Quick check: box 45 on your T4 (box 015 on a T4A) shows a 1 if you have no dental coverage through work or a pension. Already covered by a government program — Healthy Smiles Ontario, Ontario Works, ODSP? You can still qualify; the plans coordinate so nothing is duplicated and nothing is missed.
What it pays
Your share depends on family income.
The plan pays a percentage of its own fee schedule. Whatever it doesn't pay is your co-payment.
| Adjusted family net income | CDCP pays | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 100% of CDCP fees | No co-payment |
| $70,000–$79,999 | 60% of CDCP fees | 40% co-payment |
| $80,000–$89,999 | 40% of CDCP fees | 60% co-payment |
| $90,000 or more | Not eligible for the plan | |
The percentages apply to the plan's own fee schedule, which can be lower than a practice's fees — if it is, you pay the difference. So even with no co-payment, a visit can carry a balance, and anything the plan doesn't cover is yours to pay. That's why every treatment here starts with a written estimate.
Coverage
What the plan covers.
When we recommend it, the plan helps pay for most everyday dental care. Some services need the plan's pre-approval before we start.
Checkups & prevention
Exams — including emergency exams — X-rays, cleanings and scaling, fluoride, and sealants.
Repairs & tooth-saving care
Fillings, root canal treatment, gum care including cleaning below the gumline, extractions, and other oral surgery.
Crowns & dentures
Complete dentures, plus denture repairs, relines, and rebases. Crowns, posts, and partial dentures need the plan's pre-approval first.
Sedation
Nitrous oxide and oral sedation are covered; deeper sedation and general anesthesia need pre-approval.
Pre-approval (preauthorization) means we send the plan your recommended treatment before starting, and it confirms what's covered based on your oral health history. Not every request is approved — if one isn't, you can still go ahead and pay for it yourself, with the cost in writing first. Cosmetic work like whitening isn't covered, and orthodontics isn't part of the plan yet.
Step by step
From application to appointment.
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Apply — online or by phone
Through My Service Canada Account or Canada.ca, or call 1-833-537-4342 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm local time). Have your Social Insurance Number, date of birth, address, and latest notice of assessment ready. Applications are open now for the 2026–2027 benefit year.
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Watch for your card
Sun Life administers the plan. Once you’re enrolled, it mails a welcome package with your member card and the date your coverage starts — care before that date isn’t covered.
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Book with us
Bring your member card and photo ID. We confirm your coverage and co-payment, and we bill Sun Life directly — don’t pay the full cost yourself, because the plan won’t reimburse patients.
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Renew every year
Coverage runs to June 30 each year, and renewal opens every spring (spring 2027 for the 2027–2028 year). Miss the window and you can re-apply — but anything treated during the gap isn’t covered or back-paid.
Questions
What patients ask us.
Is the CDCP free dental care?
No — it’s a government benefit that pays a share of the cost. Depending on family income you’ll have a co-payment of 0%, 40%, or 60% of the plan’s fees, and the plan’s fees can be lower than a practice’s. You’ll always see your share in writing before treatment starts.
I have insurance through work but never use it. Can I apply?
No — having access counts, even if you’ve never claimed, chose not to enrol, or pay the premium yourself. The one exception is for retirees who opted out of pension dental coverage before December 11, 2023, and can’t opt back in.
I get Healthy Smiles Ontario, Ontario Works, or ODSP. Can I still qualify?
Yes. Coverage from a government social program doesn’t disqualify you — the plans coordinate so there’s no duplication and no gap.
Which treatments need pre-approval?
Crowns and posts, partial dentures, immediate dentures, root canal re-treatments, and deeper sedation or general anesthesia, among others. We submit the request for you and wait for the plan’s decision before starting. If a request isn’t approved, you can still choose to pay for the treatment yourself.
How do I check my coverage or co-payment?
Through My Service Canada Account, your my Sun Life account, or the CDCP line at 1-833-537-4342 (TTY 1-833-677-6262). Or bring your card in — we’ll confirm it with you before you book.
What happens if I miss the renewal?
Your coverage ends. You can submit a new application, but until it’s approved there’s a gap — and anything treated during the gap isn’t covered or reimbursed later. Renewals open each spring for the next benefit year.
Official channels
Apply, check, or renew — straight from the source
- Apply or renew at Canada.ca — eligibility, applications, and renewals
- CDCP questions: 1-833-537-4342, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm local time (TTY 1-833-677-6262)
- Plan details and provider search: Sun Life’s CDCP line, 1-888-888-8110
- Not sure a call or letter about the CDCP is real? Verify it on the official line before sharing any information.
Everything on this page follows the Government of Canada’s CDCP pages, checked August 2026. If the plan changes, Canada.ca carries the current details.
Have your card? Let’s get you booked.
Bring your member card and ID — we’ll confirm your coverage and put your costs in writing before anything starts.