Using the Canadian Dental Care Plan in Bradford: who qualifies and what it covers
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program that helps eligible Canadian residents with the cost of dental care. BWG Dental Centre participates in the plan. This article explains how the program works: who can apply, what it covers and what happens after you are enrolled.
The rules change from year to year, so every eligibility and coverage detail below is described as of October 2026, according to the Government of Canada. Please confirm your own eligibility and coverage with the program before you rely on it. If you are ready to use your coverage with us, our CDCP page explains how that works at our Bradford office.
Who qualifies for the CDCP?
According to the Government of Canada, as of October 2026, applicants must meet all four of these requirements:
- You have no access to private dental insurance or coverage.
- You filed your tax return in Canada, and so did your spouse or common-law partner if you have one.
- Your adjusted family net income is less than $90,000.
- You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes, and so is your spouse or common-law partner if you have one.
What counts as “access” to private dental insurance?
The program counts any dental coverage through your work or pension plan, a family member’s work or pension plan, a professional or student organization, or insurance you or a family member bought. A health spending account that covers dental costs also counts.
You are considered to have access even if you never used the coverage, chose not to enrol in it, pay a premium for it, or it does not cover the full cost of your care. There is a narrow exception for some retirees who opted out of pension dental coverage before December 11, 2023 and cannot opt back in.
The Government of Canada suggests checking your tax slips before you apply. If you work, look at box 45 on your T4. If you receive a pension, look at box 015 on your T4A. A “1” means your employer or plan reported no dental coverage for you. A 2, 3, 4 or 5 means some coverage was offered. Check your spouse’s or partner’s slips too.
What if I already have coverage through a government program?
Coverage through a provincial, territorial or federal government social program does not automatically rule you out. According to the Government of Canada, you could still qualify, and the plans may coordinate your coverage so nothing is paid twice.
What does the CDCP cover?
The plan helps pay a portion of the cost of a wide range of services when an oral health provider recommends them. As of October 2026, the Government of Canada lists these groups:
- Diagnostic and preventive care: exams, x-rays, cleaning (scaling), fluoride and sealants.
- Basic services: fillings, root canal treatment, treatment of abscesses, cleaning under the gumline and non-surgical gum disease management.
- Major services: crowns, dentures and denture repairs, and oral surgery such as removing teeth.
- Sedation: some sedation and pain management during procedures.
Orthodontic services are currently not available under the plan, according to the Government of Canada. The full list, with frequency limits, is in the CDCP Dental Benefits Guide on canada.ca.
Which services need preauthorization?
Many services are covered without any extra step. Others need preauthorization, which means your provider recommends the treatment and the CDCP decides whether it will be covered before you receive it. As of October 2026, the Government of Canada lists crowns, partial dentures, re-treatment of a previous root canal, some sedation, and services beyond the usual frequency limits among those that need it.
Not every request is approved. If one is declined, you can still choose to go ahead and pay your provider directly.
How much of the cost does the plan pay?
The CDCP pays at its own established fees, and your share depends on your adjusted family net income. As of October 2026, according to the Government of Canada:
| Adjusted family net income | CDCP pays (of its established fees) | Your co-payment |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $70,000 | 100% | 0% |
| $70,000 to $79,999 | 60% | 40% |
| $80,000 to $89,999 | 40% | 60% |
Two other costs can apply in addition to any co-payment. The first is when a provider’s fee is higher than what the CDCP reimburses. The second is when you and your provider agree to a service the plan does not cover. That is why the program advises asking about any uncovered costs before you accept treatment, even if you have no co-payment.
How do I apply?
Applications for the 2026 to 2027 benefit period are open, as of October 2026. The Government of Canada offers three routes:
- Online through your My Service Canada Account.
- Online through the application form on canada.ca, if you cannot use My Service Canada Account.
- By phone with Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342 (TTY 1-833-677-6262).
For yourself and each dependant, have ready the Social Insurance Number (if a child has one), date of birth, full name, home and mailing address, and any dental coverage through government programs. A spouse or common-law partner must submit their own application to be covered.
You can ask someone you trust, such as a relative, caregiver or interpreter, to help you apply. Our team can speak English, Spanish, French and Urdu, but the application itself is made with the Government of Canada, not with our office.
There is no fee to apply. The Government of Canada warns about scam calls, texts and emails asking for banking or credit card details.
What happens after I apply?
If you are enrolled, the program sends a letter or email with your CDCP plan number, member ID, benefit coverage start date and co-payment level. Sun Life, which reimburses providers under the plan, then mails a welcome package with your member card.
According to the Government of Canada, you do not need to wait for the card to get care. You should not book an appointment before your coverage start date, because only care received after that date is covered.
What should I bring to my first CDCP appointment?
Based on the Government of Canada’s guidance, bring:
- Your CDCP member ID, found on your enrolment letter.
- A piece of identification.
- Your benefit coverage start date.
- Your co-payment level.
What should I ask the front desk?
Canada.ca suggests confirming a few things each time you book or discuss treatment:
- Do you accept CDCP patients and bill Sun Life directly?
- Can you confirm my coverage is active today?
- Will any part of this treatment cost more than the CDCP pays?
- Does this treatment need preauthorization?
- Can you send an estimate to Sun Life before we start?
The program also notes that the amount covered is based on the rules in effect on the day you receive care, so it can differ from an earlier estimate.
Do I need to renew every year?
Yes. Each benefit period ends on June 30, and members must renew every year to show they still qualify. As of October 2026, the Government of Canada says the renewal period for 2026 to 2027 closed on June 1, 2026, and renewals for 2027 to 2028 open in spring 2027. If you miss renewal, you can apply again, but care received during the gap is not covered.
Booking a visit in Bradford
If you have your CDCP letter and your coverage start date has passed, you are welcome to book with Dr. Rebeca Riojas-Ozturk at BWG Dental Centre, 88 Barrie St, Bradford. Call (905) 775-7005 or use our appointment request form. Our Canadian Dental Care Plan page has more on using your coverage with us.