At Dental Sedation Ottawa, we proudly accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and help eligible patients access the dental care they need without financial barriers. Whether you require routine preventive care or complex procedures under sedation, we'll work with you to maximize your CDCP benefits and coordinate coverage seamlessly.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a federal government program designed to reduce financial barriers to oral health care for Canadians without dental insurance. Launched in 2024 and expanding through 2025, the CDCP provides coverage for a wide range of dental services for eligible Canadian residents with household incomes under $90,000 per year.
This is not "free" dental care—it's a government benefit that covers part or all of the cost depending on your family income. The program is administered by Sun Life on behalf of Health Canada, and approximately 98% of dental providers across Canada now participate, including our practice.
Important: The CDCP is designed for people who do not have private dental insurance through employment, school, or purchased plans. If you decline available coverage to qualify for CDCP, you will be deemed ineligible.
Questions? We're here to help.
To qualify for CDCP coverage, you must meet all of the following criteria:
You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person living in Canada.
You cannot have access to dental insurance through:
If you have the option to enroll in dental coverage but choose not to, you're not eligible for CDCP.
Your household's adjusted family net income for the previous tax year must be below $90,000. This is calculated based on your tax return and your spouse's/common-law partner's return if applicable.
You and your spouse/common-law partner (if applicable) must have filed your Canadian tax returns for the previous year. For 2025-2026 coverage, you must have filed your 2024 tax return and received your Notice of Assessment before applying or renewing.
If you already receive dental benefits through provincial or territorial programs (like Ontario's Healthy Smiles Ontario, ODSP, or Ontario Works), you can still qualify for CDCP. Benefits are coordinated between programs to avoid duplication and fill gaps in coverage. In many cases, CDCP provides better coverage than provincial programs alone.
As of June 1, 2025, all eligible Canadians aged 18-64 can apply for CDCP coverage. The program now covers all age groups:
Coverage start dates vary based on when you apply and when your application is processed.
Ready to use your CDCP benefits? We'll verify your coverage and explain your options.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan covers a comprehensive range of dental services. At Dental Sedation Ottawa, we provide all of the following CDCP-covered treatments:
The CDCP has frequency limitations on many preventive services (e.g., cleanings every 6-12 months, exams annually) and requires preauthorization for major treatments like crowns, dentures, and extensive restorative work. We handle all preauthorization submissions on your behalf.
The CDCP does cover medically necessary sedation and anesthesia when required for dental procedures. If your anxiety, medical condition, or the complexity of treatment necessitates sedation, we document this medical necessity and submit for coverage. Many of our CDCP patients successfully receive coverage for oral sedation, IV sedation, and even general anesthesia when clinically indicated.
Ready to learn more? Schedule a consultation today.
CDCP coverage is based on your adjusted family net income. Depending on your income level, you may pay nothing, or you may be responsible for a co-payment (a percentage of the treatment cost).
Your exact co-payment level is determined when you apply based on your most recent tax return. It can change when you renew annually if your income changes.
Each CDCP member has an annual benefit maximum of $3,000 per year (as of January 2025). This means the plan will pay up to $3,000 toward your covered dental services within a 12-month period. Once you reach this limit, you're responsible for any additional costs until your coverage renews.
For many patients, $3,000 covers all routine preventive care and several restorative procedures annually. For extensive treatment needs, we help you prioritize what to complete within each benefit year.
Have questions? We'd love to hear from you.
Eligible Canadians can apply for CDCP coverage through three methods:
If you're unsure about your eligibility or need assistance with the application process, our administrative team can answer questions and point you toward resources. While we cannot submit applications on your behalf (only Service Canada can process applications), we're here to support you through the process.
Need help understanding CDCP? Our team is here to answer your questions.
CDCP coverage must be renewed annually to confirm continued eligibility. This is a critical requirement—if you don't renew, your coverage ends, and any dental care received during a gap will not be covered or reimbursed retroactively.
Before you can renew, you must have filed your 2024 tax return and received your Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency.
You'll receive a new letter confirming your renewed eligibility, any changes to your co-payment level (based on updated income), and your coverage dates (effective July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026).
Always confirm your CDCP coverage is active before seeking dental treatment.
At Dental Sedation Ottawa, we handle all CDCP coordination on your behalf:
Before your appointment, we verify your active CDCP coverage and confirm your co-payment level with Sun Life.
For major treatments requiring preauthorization (crowns, dentures, extensive restorative work), we submit detailed treatment plans, X-rays, and clinical notes electronically. Most decisions are returned within 7-10 business days.
We bill the CDCP directly for covered services. You only pay your co-payment portion at the time of service—no waiting months for reimbursement.
If you have Healthy Smiles Ontario, ODSP, or other provincial coverage, we coordinate benefits between programs to maximize your total coverage.
CDCP requires preauthorization for treatments including:
We submit all preauthorization requests electronically and follow up to ensure approval before scheduling your treatment. This process typically takes 7-10 business days but can take up to 4 weeks for complex cases.
One of the most valuable aspects of CDCP coverage at our clinic is potential coverage for sedation services. When sedation is medically necessary—due to severe dental anxiety, complex medical conditions, extensive treatment needs, or special needs requiring safe treatment delivery—we document this necessity and submit for coverage.
Many of our CDCP patients have successfully received coverage for:
Coverage is determined case-by-case based on clinical documentation. We advocate strongly for our patients to ensure they receive the sedation support they need.
Questions about your options? We're here to help.
Understanding what you'll actually pay helps you plan. Here are typical scenarios for CDCP patients at our clinic:
Services: Comprehensive exam, cleaning, fluoride treatment, X-rays
Total Cost: $350
Services: Tooth-colored filling
Total Cost: $200
Services: Extraction + oral sedation
Total Cost: $450 (extraction $250 + sedation $200)
Services: Dental crown (after preauthorization)
Total Cost: $1,200
Coverage at 65% for major services (ages 23+):
These examples are illustrative. Actual costs and coverage depend on your specific treatment, income level, and remaining annual benefit maximum.
Ready to learn more? Schedule a consultation today.
Our patients consistently rate us 5 stars for gentle, anxiety-free care. We're proud to have earned hundreds of positive reviews from families across Ottawa.
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View All Reviews on GoogleDentist Referrals Welcome: General dentists refer CDCP patients to us when sedation or complex treatment is needed.
Learn About Our Referral ProcessWe welcome CDCP patients from throughout Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.
