The Canadian Dental Care Plan opened to all eligible residents in 2026, including children under 18. For Toronto families without private dental insurance, it’s now a real option for affordable pediatric care. Here’s what parents need to know about qualifying, what’s covered, and how it works at the appointment.
Key Takeaway
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program that helps eligible Canadian families pay for dental care for their children. Families with adjusted net incomes below $90,000 who do not have access to private dental insurance can apply. Coverage is tiered: families earning under $70,000 receive 100% of CDCP-established fees, while families with higher incomes share costs through co-payments of 40% or 60%. The plan covers most pediatric dental services, including exams, cleanings, fluoride applications, sealants, fillings, extractions, sedation, and some major restorative work like crowns. Some services require preauthorization. Orthodontic coverage is not yet active. CDCP can be coordinated with provincial programs like Healthy Smiles Ontario. Little Pearls Pediatric Dentistry in North York, Toronto, accepts CDCP alongside private insurance, the Interim Federal Health Program, and Non-Insured Health Benefits.
Who qualifies for the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
A family qualifies for the CDCP if they meet four conditions: no access to private dental insurance through work, a pension, a professional or student plan, or a purchased policy; a filed Canadian tax return for the previous year; adjusted family net income under $90,000; and Canadian residency for tax purposes.
The insurance rule catches a lot of families off guard. If a parent has dental benefits through their employer but chose not to opt in, the family still doesn’t qualify. What matters is whether the coverage is available to you, not whether you use it.
Government social programs are treated differently. Coverage through Healthy Smiles Ontario, the Interim Federal Health Program, or Non-Insured Health Benefits doesn’t disqualify a family. Those plans are coordinated with the CDCP so there’s no overlap.
What dental services does the CDCP cover for children?
For children, the CDCP covers most routine and many specialized pediatric dental services. Preventive care like exams, cleanings, fluoride applications, and dental sealants is included, along with x-rays, fillings, extractions, root canal treatment, and stainless steel crowns for decayed baby teeth. Sedation options including nitrous oxide and oral sedation are covered, as is general anaesthesia with preauthorization.
Some services need preauthorization. The dentist submits a request to the CDCP before treatment, and the plan confirms what’s covered. This usually applies to bigger work like crowns, deep sedation, or general anaesthesia.
Orthodontic coverage is part of the plan’s design, but it hasn’t launched yet. Braces and other orthodontic appliances aren’t covered as of 2026, even with preauthorization, though the Government of Canada has said orthodontic services will be added at a future date.
How much will my family pay out of pocket?
Out-of-pocket costs depend on two things: your adjusted family net income, and whether your dentist’s fees match the CDCP fee schedule. Families earning under $70,000 pay nothing toward CDCP-established fees. Above that threshold, co-payments scale with income: 40% for families between $70,000 and $79,999, and 60% for families between $80,000 and the $90,000 income cap.
There’s a second cost to watch for. Dental practices sometimes charge fees higher than what the CDCP pays. If that gap exists, the difference falls to the family, even at the 100% coverage tier. The Government of Canada calls this “additional charges,” and it’s the most common reason families end up paying something at the desk. Before any treatment, ask the office for an estimate.
How do I apply, and how does it work at the appointment?
Applications go through the Government of Canada website. Once approved, you’ll receive a letter confirming your CDCP Member ID, your coverage start date, and your co-payment level, followed by a member card from Sun Life. Services can only be billed for appointments on or after the start date.
At the appointment, the dentist’s office will confirm that your child is an active CDCP member and check what’s covered. The office bills CDCP directly for covered portions. You pay any co-payment or additional charge at the desk. Bring your child’s CDCP card or Member ID to every visit, and keep your contact information current with the Government of Canada so renewal reminders reach you.
Booking your child’s first CDCP-covered visit
Little Pearls Pediatric Dentistry accepts the Canadian Dental Care Plan along with Private Insurance, Healthy Smiles Ontario, the Interim Federal Health Program, and Non-Insured Health Benefits. Families new to our practice can reach the kids’ dentist in Toronto team before the appointment to confirm what their child’s coverage will include and what, if anything, will be owed at the visit. For details on accepted programs and billing, see our payment and insurance information.
- Address: 81 Billy Bishop Way, Unit D2, North York, ON, M3K 0C2 | View on Google Maps
- Phone: 416-960-4422
- Email: [email protected]
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Information about the Canadian Dental Care Plan in this article is drawn from the Government of Canada’s official program pages and was current at the time of last review. CDCP rules, fee schedules, and eligibility criteria may change. For the most current details, visit canada.ca or call the CDCP at 1-833-537-4342.
