The Canadian Dental Care Plan, known as the CDCP, is now open to eligible Canadian residents of every age. For families across Kanata and Stittsville, that change opens the door to dental care that once felt out of reach. However, the application still confuses many people, and small mistakes can delay coverage by weeks. This guide walks you through the CDCP step by step, in plain language, so you know exactly who qualifies, how to apply, what the plan pays, and how to book your first covered visit with confidence.
The short answer
You qualify for the CDCP if you are a Canadian resident, you have no access to private dental insurance, your adjusted family net income is under $90,000, and you have filed last year’s tax return. You apply online through your My Service Canada Account or by phone. Once Sun Life confirms your start date, you book a visit with a participating dentist. Terry Fox Dental Centre accepts the CDCP for patients in Kanata and Stittsville.
What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a federal program that helps make dental care more affordable for residents who do not have private coverage. Health Canada runs the plan, and Sun Life administers it, which means Sun Life confirms your enrolment, issues your member card, and pays participating dental providers. The plan launched in late 2023 for seniors, expanded through 2024 and 2025, and is now open to all eligible ages for the 2026 to 2027 benefit year.
In short, the CDCP exists to close a gap. Millions of Canadians previously delayed cleanings, fillings, and other essential treatment simply because they had no way to pay. As a result, the plan focuses first on preventive and restorative care that protects long-term oral health. To learn how our clinic applies the plan in practice, you can also visit our Canadian Dental Care Plan page.
Step 1: Confirm That You Qualify
Before you apply, check that you meet all four eligibility requirements. Importantly, you must satisfy every one of them, not just some. The requirements are set by the Government of Canada, and they apply the same way in Kanata, Stittsville, and across the country.
The four CDCP eligibility requirements
- You do not have access to private dental insurance. This includes coverage through an employer, a pension plan, a group plan, or a personal policy. You are excluded even if you decline the coverage or never use it. The only exception applies to retirees who opted out of a pension dental plan before December 11, 2023 and cannot opt back in.
- Your adjusted family net income is under $90,000. This figure comes from line 23600 of your tax return. Once household income reaches $90,000 or more, eligibility ends.
- You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes. Eligibility is based on tax residency rather than immigration status.
- You have filed your tax return. You, and your spouse or common-law partner if applicable, must have filed last year’s return in Canada and received your Notice of Assessment. If you have not filed, do that first, because the plan verifies your income through the Canada Revenue Agency.
For the full official criteria, you can review the Government of Canada eligibility page. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, our team is happy to talk it through. You can contact us and we will point you in the right direction.
Step 2: Understand What the Plan Covers
Next, it helps to know what the CDCP actually pays for, because the plan is generous but not unlimited. The covered services fall into a few broad categories, and they are prioritized to prevent long-term problems rather than to fund every treatment.
- Preventive care. Oral exams, cleanings, scaling, polishing, fluoride, sealants, and X-rays.
- Restorative care. Fillings, dental crowns, and root canal therapy.
- Oral surgery. Tooth extractions and related procedures.
- Removable prosthetics. Complete and partial dentures.
- Sedation. Minimal and moderate sedation when it is clinically needed.
A few limits are worth knowing early. Routine cleanings follow set intervals, and additional cleanings usually require pre-authorization with clinical justification. In addition, complex or major treatment often needs a pre-authorization before the plan agrees to pay. Some cosmetic treatments sit outside the plan entirely. For example, elective cosmetic work such as teeth whitening is generally not covered, so it would be paid privately. If you are exploring dental implants in Kanata and Stittsville, coverage is limited to specific medical situations, and our team can help you understand where you stand before treatment begins.
Step 3: Know What You Will Pay
Many people assume the CDCP means free dental care for everyone. In reality, what you pay depends on your adjusted family net income. Below $70,000, the plan pays 100 percent of its established fees. Above that, you share the cost through a co-payment. The table below shows the 2026 to 2027 tiers.
| Adjusted family net income | CDCP pays | Your co-payment |
| Under $70,000 | 100 percent of the CDCP fee | 0 percent |
| $70,000 to $79,999 | 60 percent of the CDCP fee | 40 percent |
| $80,000 to $89,999 | 40 percent of the CDCP fee | 60 percent |
| $90,000 or more | Not eligible | Not applicable |
The detail most people miss: balance billing
Here is the part that surprises patients. The CDCP pays according to its own federal fee guide, and that guide is often lower than the provincial fee schedule most clinics use. Consequently, even in the zero co-payment tier, you may owe the small difference between your dentist’s fee and the CDCP amount. This is called balance billing, and it is normal.
The good news is that surprises are avoidable. For any major treatment, a participating clinic can submit a pre-determination first, so you see your exact out-of-pocket cost before you commit. At Terry Fox Dental Centre, we walk Kanata and Stittsville patients through these numbers in advance, because informed decisions are part of how we care for our patients.
Step 4: Apply for the CDCP
Once you have confirmed eligibility, applying is straightforward. First, gather what you need. Then choose the method that suits you best. Above all, apply carefully, because accurate information prevents delays.
What to have ready before you apply
- Your Social Insurance Number, and the SIN for any children you are applying for, if available.
- Your date of birth and home address.
- Your most recent Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency.
- The same details for your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one.
How to submit your application
- Apply online. Sign in to your My Service Canada Account and complete the CDCP application, or apply through the Government of Canada portal. This is usually the fastest route.
- Apply by phone. Call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342 if you prefer to apply with a representative, or if you do not have an online account.
- Attest honestly. You must confirm that you have no access to private dental insurance. Providing false information can remove you and your family from the plan, so answer carefully.
- Submit and save your confirmation. After you apply, keep your confirmation details. You can check your progress on the Government of Canada application status page.
For the official application, use the Government of Canada CDCP apply page. If you would rather have a hand preparing, our front desk is glad to answer questions when you contact our Kanata and Stittsville clinic.
Step 5: Wait for Your Welcome Package and Start Date
After you submit, Sun Life reviews your application and confirms your enrolment. Within a few weeks, you receive a welcome package that includes your member card and, most importantly, your coverage start date. That start date matters more than anything else in this step.
Do not book treatment before your start date. Any care you receive before the date printed on your member card will not be covered, and it will not be reimbursed later. Wait for your confirmed start date, then schedule your visit.
Step 6: Book With a Participating Dentist in Kanata or Stittsville
Finally, use your coverage. The CDCP only pays when you visit a participating oral health provider, so confirm that your clinic takes the plan and bills Sun Life directly. Terry Fox Dental Centre proudly accepts the Canadian Dental Care Plan for families across Kanata, Stittsville, and the surrounding West Ottawa communities.
When you book with us, here is what to expect. Our front desk verifies your CDCP coverage and confirms your co-payment tier before your appointment. For routine recall visits, no pre-determination is needed, so you can get a cleaning, exam, and X-rays scheduled quickly. For larger treatment, we submit a pre-determination first, which means you know your exact cost before we begin. As a result, there are no surprises, only care.
New to the clinic? Our new patient experience is designed to be calm, thorough, and unhurried, and it includes a comprehensive assessment with modern digital diagnostics. When you are ready, you can book your CDCP appointment online, or call us at (613) 599-8555.
Do Not Forget: CDCP Renewal Is Annual
One more thing deserves attention, because it trips up many members. CDCP coverage is not permanent. You must renew every year to confirm that you still meet the requirements, and renewal depends on your most recent tax filing. If you miss the renewal window, you face a gap in coverage, and any care during that gap will not be reimbursed.
Therefore, file your taxes on time each year, watch for your renewal notice, and renew promptly. Doing so keeps your coverage continuous and your smile protected. If you are ever unsure about your status, check the Government of Canada dental application status tool, or ask our team at your next visit.
Frequently Asked Questions About the CDCP in Kanata and Stittsville
Does Terry Fox Dental Centre accept the CDCP?
Yes. Terry Fox Dental Centre accepts the Canadian Dental Care Plan for patients in Kanata, Stittsville, and the surrounding West Ottawa area. We verify your coverage and co-payment before your visit, and we bill Sun Life directly for covered services.
Is the CDCP free?
It depends on your income. If your adjusted family net income is under $70,000, the plan pays 100 percent of its established fees, so most preventive care costs little or nothing. Above $70,000, you pay a co-payment, and you may owe a small difference if your dentist’s fee is higher than the CDCP fee guide.
Who can apply for the CDCP in 2026?
The plan is now open to all eligible ages. You qualify if you are a Canadian resident, have no access to private dental insurance, have an adjusted family net income under $90,000, and have filed last year’s tax return.
How long does CDCP approval take?
After you apply, Sun Life typically sends your welcome package and member card within a few weeks. Your card lists your coverage start date. Do not book treatment until that date has arrived, because earlier care is not covered.
Can I use the CDCP if I have a job that offers dental insurance?
Generally no. Access to any private or employer dental coverage disqualifies you, even if you decline it or never use it. The main exception is certain retirees who opted out of a pension dental plan before December 11, 2023.
What if I need major dental work?
For treatments such as dentures, multiple extractions, or root canals, our clinic submits a pre-determination to the CDCP first. That way, you know your exact out-of-pocket cost before treatment starts, and there are no surprises.
Ready to use your CDCP coverage in Kanata or Stittsville?
Terry Fox Dental Centre welcomes new CDCP patients across Kanata, Stittsville, and West Ottawa. Book your covered visit online at terryfoxdental.com/appointment, or call (613) 599-8555. We will confirm your coverage, explain your costs clearly, and give your family gentle, modern care.