The Canadian Dental Care Plan in Aurora

What the CDCP is

The CDCP is a Government of Canada program. It pays part of the cost of oral health care for residents who have no access to dental insurance. Sun Life processes the claims for the government.

Children under 18 and seniors were the first groups covered. Since 2025, adults of every age can apply too. Coverage runs in yearly benefit periods that end on June 30. Applications for the 2026–2027 period are open now.

Who qualifies

Canada.ca lists four requirements. You must meet all of them. The full rules, including how to read your tax slips, are on the official "Do you qualify" page.

• You have no access to private dental insurance. This includes a plan through your job, your pension, a school or professional group, or one you bought. A plan you never used still counts.
• You, and your spouse or common-law partner, filed a tax return for last year.
• Your adjusted family net income is under $90,000.
• You, and your spouse or common-law partner, are residents of Canada for tax purposes.

How to apply, including for your children

You can apply online through My Service Canada Account, online through Canada.ca, or by phone with Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342 (TTY 1-833-677-6262). There is no fee to apply. The government warns about scams that ask for banking or credit card details.

For each person, you need a full name, date of birth, home and mailing address, and any dental coverage from a government program. Add your children as dependants. A child's Social Insurance Number is only needed if they have one. Your spouse or partner must send their own application to be covered.

Your letter and member card

Once you are enrolled, you get a letter by mail or email. It shows your plan number, member ID, coverage start date and co-payment level. Sun Life then mails a welcome package with a member card.

You do not need the plastic card to get care. Bring your member ID, a piece of ID, your start date and your co-payment level. You can also print a card from your Sun Life online account. Only care after your start date is covered, so please wait until then to book.

Co-payment tiers by family income

Your co-payment is your share of the CDCP fee. It depends on your adjusted family net income, which comes mainly from line 23600 of your tax return. Canada.ca explains the full calculation.

• Under $70,000: the plan pays 100% of the CDCP fee. You pay no co-payment.
• $70,000 to $79,999: the plan pays 60%. You pay 40%.
• $80,000 to $89,999: the plan pays 40%. You pay 60%.

What is covered and what needs approval first

The plan covers exams, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride and sealants. It also covers fillings, root canals, gum treatment, crowns, dentures, oral surgery and some sedation. Orthodontic treatment is not available. Implants are not covered.

Some services need preauthorization, which means the plan must approve them before treatment. Examples are crowns, partial dentures, root canal re-treatment, deep sedation or general anaesthesia, and care beyond the plan's frequency limits. Not every request is approved. The CDCP Dental Benefits Guide sets out the details.

CDCP for children

The plan has rules written for young patients. It covers an oral assessment once for a child up to age 3. Fluoride is covered every 6 months until age 17. Sealants on eligible adult teeth are covered for children 17 and under.

Some care follows age rules. For example, crowns are generally covered from age 18. Sedation for a child needs a documented reason. Your dentist will explain what applies to your child after the exam.

How we bill the CDCP in Aurora

We send claims straight to Sun Life. Before treatment, we check that your coverage is active and confirm what the plan will pay for each service. If a service needs preauthorization, we send the request and wait for the answer.

Our fees can differ from the CDCP fee. When they do, or when you choose a service the plan does not cover, you pay that amount as well as any co-payment. We show you these amounts in a written estimate first, so you can decide before anything is done.

How it works at our clinic

1. Get your enrolment letterWait for your letter showing your member ID, start date and co-payment level.
2. Request a visitUse our website form or call us. Share your member ID so we can check your coverage.
3. Exam and planYour dentist examines your teeth and explains the options that fit your needs.
4. Written estimateWe show what the CDCP pays, your co-payment and any extra charge. We request preauthorization when needed.
5. Treatment and billingWe bill Sun Life directly. You pay only your share.

Questions