Posted on September 14, 2026
If you’ve been searching for a Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) dentist in St. Catharines, you may have questions about what the CDCP actually covers, whether you qualify, what you may have to pay, and how the process works at the dental office.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan was created to help make dental care more affordable for eligible Canadians who do not have access to private dental insurance. As the program continues to evolve, understanding your coverage before your appointment can make the process much easier.
Creek View Dental is accepting CDCP patients in St. Catharines, and our administrative team can help you navigate the process and understand what to expect before treatment.
Understanding the Canadian Dental Care Plan Launch and Evolution
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) was introduced by the Government of Canada as a way to improve access to dental care for eligible residents who do not have access to private dental insurance.
The program has been introduced and expanded in stages, with additional services becoming available over time. The current CDCP benefit year runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and eligible members must renew their coverage each year.
The CDCP is not traditional dental insurance. Instead, the federal government establishes fees and coverage rules for eligible services, while participating dental providers submit claims directly to Sun Life, the plan's administrator.
Because the program has specific frequency limits, eligibility requirements, preauthorization rules and established fees, CDCP coverage does not necessarily mean that every dental service will be completely free.
That's why understanding your individual coverage before treatment is important.
Who is eligible for the CDCP?
Generally, you must meet all four of the federal government's eligibility requirements:
- You do not have access to private dental insurance or dental coverage.
- You and your spouse or common-law partner, if applicable, have filed your Canadian tax returns for the previous year.
- Your adjusted family net income is less than $90,000.
- You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
The federal government also reviews eligibility information. Having access to private dental coverage through an employer, pension, family member or certain other arrangements can make you ineligible—even if you don't use that coverage or it doesn't pay the full cost of your dental care.
If you're unsure whether you qualify, the Government of Canada's official CDCP eligibility information is the best place to start.
Is Creek View Dental Accepting CDCP Patients?
Yes!
Our team understands that navigating a new government dental program can feel confusing. There are eligibility requirements, coverage limitations, established CDCP fees and, in some cases, preauthorization requirements to consider.
Our goal is to make the administrative side as straightforward as possible so you can focus on your oral health.
Before your appointment, our team can help verify your CDCP coverage and discuss what services may be covered and whether you may have any amount to pay.
The Government of Canada recommends that CDCP patients confirm that their dental provider accepts CDCP patients and bills Sun Life directly before booking an appointment. Patients should also confirm their coverage is active and discuss any potential costs that may not be covered.
What Dental Services are Covered Under the Federal Plan?
The CDCP covers a broad range of oral health services, although individual services can have eligibility criteria, frequency limitations and preauthorization requirements.
The federal Dental Benefits Guide, effective April 1, 2026, outlines covered services and the rules that apply to them.
Preventative Cleanings, Checkups, and X-Rays
Preventive and diagnostic care is an important part of the CDCP.
Depending on your individual circumstances and the plan's applicable limitations, covered services can include:
- Dental examinations
- X-rays and other eligible radiographs
- Dental cleaning and scaling
- Fluoride applications
- Sealants
- Certain periodontal services
Regular examinations and hygiene appointments are important not only for keeping your teeth clean, but also for identifying problems such as cavities, gum disease and other oral health concerns early.
Keep in mind that the CDCP has frequency limitations for some services. For example, the Dental Benefits Guide establishes limits around examinations and certain hygiene procedures. Additional services may sometimes be considered through the CDCP preauthorization process.
Restorative Care, Crowns and Emergency Extractions
The CDCP also covers a number of treatments used to repair or preserve teeth.
Eligible services can include:
- Permanent fillings
- Root canal treatments
- Certain periodontal treatments
- Removal of teeth and roots
- Certain oral surgery procedures
- Some restorative procedures involving crowns
However, not every crown or restorative procedure is automatically covered. Some crown-related services require preauthorization, and coverage depends on the CDCP's clinical criteria and benefit rules.
If you require a crown, extraction or other significant treatment, our dental team can explain your treatment options and determine what information needs to be submitted to the CDCP.
Some services require preauthorization before treatment is confirmed as eligible for coverage. A preauthorization decision is based on the CDCP's rules and clinical criteria; it does not replace the conversation between you and your dentist about what treatment is appropriate for your oral health.
Demystifying the Co-Payment: What Will Your Appointment Cost?
One of the most common questions we hear is:
"If I have CDCP coverage, do I still have to pay?"
The answer is: possibly.
Your CDCP co-payment is based on your adjusted family net income.
For the current benefit structure:
- Under $70,000: the CDCP covers 100% of eligible services at CDCP-established fees, meaning there is no co-payment on those established fees.
- $70,000–$79,999: the CDCP covers 60%, leaving a 40% co-payment on CDCP-established fees.
- $80,000–$89,999: the CDCP covers 40%, leaving a 60% co-payment on CDCP-established fees.
But there's another important piece to understand - The CDCP has its own established fees. These may differ from the fees charged by a dental office.
That means you could have an additional amount to pay even if your income means you have no CDCP co-payment.
For example, if the CDCP establishes a particular reimbursement amount for a service and the dental office's fee is higher, you may be responsible for the difference.
Similarly, you may have costs associated with services that aren't covered by the CDCP.
Before receiving treatment, always ask what you will be responsible for paying. The federal government specifically recommends that CDCP members discuss additional charges with their oral health provider before accepting treatment.
At Creek View Dental, we want you to understand your expected costs before treatment whenever possible.
Step-by-Step: How to Coordinate Your CDCP Benefits at Our Office
We've designed our process to make using your federal dental benefits as straightforward as possible.
Step 1: Confirm your CDCP eligibility and coverage
- Make sure your CDCP coverage is active before booking your appointment.
- Your Government of Canada welcome information includes your CDCP member information and coverage start date. You can also access information about your coverage through your My Service Canada Account.
Step 2: Contact Creek View Dental
- When you contact our office, let our administrative team know that you have CDCP coverage.
- We'll need the appropriate information to verify your eligibility and coordinate your appointment.
Step 3: We verify your coverage
- Participating dental providers can verify CDCP coverage and submit claims directly to Sun Life.
- The CDCP requires providers to confirm a patient's coverage before submitting claims, and providers can use Sun Life's systems to verify eligibility and coverage for services.
Step 4: We discuss your treatment and potential costs
- Your dentist will assess your oral health and discuss any recommended treatment with you.
- If a service requires CDCP preauthorization, the appropriate information can be submitted to Sun Life for a coverage determination.
- Importantly, preauthorization doesn't necessarily mean the entire treatment cost will be covered. The CDCP will determine whether the service qualifies under its rules and what amount it will reimburse.
Step 5: Your claim is submitted directly
- For covered services, Creek View Dental submits the claim to Sun Life.
- You should not have to pay the full cost of an eligible CDCP service upfront and then seek reimbursement yourself. Sun Life reimburses the participating oral health provider, not the patient.
- You'll be responsible for any applicable co-payment and other amounts not covered by the CDCP.
What About Private Retirement Dental Benefits?
This is an especially important question for seniors.
If you have access to private dental insurance through a current employer, pension plan, spouse or another source, you generally cannot qualify for the CDCP.
This includes dental coverage that you have chosen not to use or that does not cover the full cost of your dental care.
There is a specific exception for some retirees who opted out of pension dental coverage before December 11, 2023 and cannot opt back in. If you're in this situation, check the Government of Canada's current eligibility requirements rather than assuming you are either eligible or ineligible.
It's also important to understand that the CDCP does not coordinate with private employer or private insurance plans.
Ontario's publicly funded dental programs are a different matter. For example, the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program does not coordinate benefits with the CDCP. Patients who qualify for both programs should discuss their options with their dental provider.
Making Your CDCP Dental Visit Easier
The Canadian Dental Care Plan can make accessing dental care more affordable for eligible Canadians, but it isn't a traditional insurance plan—and understanding that distinction can prevent surprises.
Before your appointment, make sure you:
- Confirm that your CDCP coverage is active.
- Confirm that your dental provider accepts CDCP patients.
- Understand your co-payment level.
- Ask whether your recommended services require preauthorization.
- Ask about any costs that may not be covered by the CDCP.
- Keep your CDCP information up to date and renew your coverage as required.
At Creek View Dental, our team is here to help make the administrative side as simple as possible.
Whether you're looking for a Canadian Dental Care Plan dentist in St. Catharines for a routine cleaning, examination, filling or other dental treatment, we're happy to discuss your coverage and next steps.
Access your federal dental benefits with ease. Contact our helpful administrative team today to book your CDCP-coordinated appointment.
Contact Creek View Dental or call 905-685-0000.
Frequently Asked Questions About the CDCP
Looking for a CDCP Dentist in St. Catharines?
Navigating a new dental benefits program can feel complicated, but you don't have to figure it out alone.
Creek View Dental is accepting CDCP patients in St. Catharines, and our team can help you understand the administrative steps involved with your federal dental coverage.
From preventative hygiene appointments and examinations to eligible restorative and emergency dental services, we'll work with you to understand your treatment needs and your CDCP coverage.
Contact Creek View Dental today to book your CDCP-coordinated appointment.