The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a helpful program for Canadians earning less than $90,000 a year with no private dental insurance. It’s like a safety net for your teeth, covering essential services to keep your mouth healthy. But what dental services are covered by CDCP? This blog post walks you through the benefits of the CDCP in a fresh way and shows how Golden Mile Dental helps you use them.
What Dental Services Does CDCP Cover?
| Preventive Care: | Dental Cleanings Fluoride Treatment Dental Sealants |
| Diagnostic Services | X-rays Oral Exams Consultations |
| Restorative Care | Dental Fillings Other treatments for cavities |
| Endodontics | Root canal therapy Re-treatment of a previous root canal treatment |
| Oral Surgery | Extracting teeth or roots Removing cysts or tumors Fixing broken jaws |
| Periodontics | Deep cleanings under the gums. Treatments for gum disease or infections |
| Prosthodontics | Dentures (complete and partial) Repairing Dentures |
| Sedation/Anesthesia | General sedation Stronger sedation or anesthesia |
| Orthodontics | Braces or Invisalign get limited coverage, but only for health issues like severe misalignment. |
1. Preventive Care
This type of dental care stops problems like cavities or gum issues before they start. It includes:
- Regular checkups,
- Cleanings,
- Fluoride treatments,
- And sealants to protect teeth.
The CDCP covers this, as keeping teeth healthy early saves money and pain later. Healthy teeth help people eat, talk, and feel good.
2. Diagnostic Services
X-rays or dental exams show problems like cavities or hidden issues a dentist can’t see just by looking. The CDCP pays for this to make sure dentists recognize the potential dental issues. Finding problems early means easier fixes, less pain, and lower costs. It helps everyone get the right care, even if they can’t pay for tests themselves.
3. Restorative Care
Restorative treatment includes fixing broken or decayed teeth with fillings or crowns. It makes teeth work again for chewing and talking. The CDCP covers this to stop teeth from getting worse or falling out. This can save money by avoiding bigger problems, like needing dental cosmetic treatments later.
4. Endodontics
This is mostly root canals, which fix teeth with infections inside. It saves the tooth, so it doesn’t need to be pulled out. Keeping teeth helps with chewing and smiling, and it avoids costly replacements. It also prevents infections from spreading, which can lead to serious health issues.
5. Periodontics
Periodontic services treat gum problems, like sore or bleeding gums, with cleanings or sometimes surgery. Healthy gums hold teeth in place and keep the body healthy. Treating gums early helps people keep their teeth and avoid bigger health issues, especially for those who can’t afford care.
6. Oral Surgery
From pulling teeth to doing small mouth surgeries, like removing wisdom teeth oral surgeries contain various procedures. They all fix problems that can’t be treated any other way. Surgery helps people eat and feel better when their teeth are too damaged. It also prevents serious issues, like swelling or hospital visits, which cost more.
7. Prosthodontics
Dentures and bridges, which replace missing teeth, fall under prosthodontic services. It helps people chew, talk, and smile again. With the CDCP covering this, people can have more access to dental treatment, eat better, and feel confident. It also stops other teeth from moving, which can cause more problems.
8. Sedation/Anesthesia
This uses medicines to relax people or stop pain during dental work. It helps those who are scared or need big treatments. Therefore, people can go to the dentist instead of avoiding it, which keeps their mouths healthy. This is especially important for kids or people with special needs.
9. Orthodontics
Started in 2025, the CDCP covers some orthodontic services, including treatments like Invisalign, but only when they’re medically necessary and meet specific requirements. Your dentist or orthodontist will need to get preapproval by submitting a request to confirm your coverage before any treatment starts.
New Age Update!
As Public Services and Procurement has announced, all eligible Canadians aged 18 to 64 can now apply for the CDCP that starts in May 2025, with coverage beginning June 1, 2025. Here’s more detail:
May 1: 55 to 64 years old
May 15: 18 to 34 years old
May 29: 35 to 54 years old
Please contact us for more information!
What’s NOT Covered by CDCP?
The CDCP focuses on health, not appearances. This program does not cover the services below:
- Teeth whitening, veneers, or cosmetic crowns.
- Orthodontics without a medical reason.
- Different types of dental implant services
- Sports guards, night guards, or mouthguards for snoring.
- Temporomandibular Joint therapy (TMJ)
- Bone Grafting
Golden Mile Dental: Your CDCP Guide
Wrap-Up: Your Path to a Healthy Smile
The CDCP in 2025 covers the essential dental treatments that are crucial for oral health, from cleanings to extractions. However, cosmetic or non-vital treatments are not covered by this program. You need to know these services to manage your budget and make an informed decision before visiting your dentist.
At Golden Mile Dental in Toronto, we’re part of the CDCP program, offering dental fillings in Scarborough, cleanings, exams, root canals, dentures, and more. Our team uses advanced tools to craft a plan just for you. We won’t leave you alone in this journey; for services needing a permit, we’ll work with Sun Life to get it sorted.
Want to start? Book a CDCP-covered appointment with Golden Mile Dental. We’re ready to help your smile thrive!
FAQs
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What dental treatments are covered under CDCP?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) covers a range of essential dental treatments to maintain oral health. These include dental cleanings, dental exams, fillings, root canals, oral surgeries, full or partial dentures, periodontic treatments, sedation treatments, and orthodontic treatments when medically necessary.
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Does CDCP pay for teeth whitening or cosmetic dentistry?
No, cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening, veneers, cosmetic bonding, or aesthetic crowns are not included. If a treatment has both functional and cosmetic benefits, only the functional portion may be covered, subject to review by Sun Life.
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Are root canals or crowns covered under CDCP?
Yes, root canals are covered under the CDCP as an essential endodontic treatment to save a damaged or infected tooth. Crowns, however, are covered only in specific cases where they are deemed medically necessary and must be pre-approved by Sun Life.
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Can I use CDCP for dental emergencies?
The CDCP includes coverage for emergency dental care, with no limit on emergency exams. If you have a dental emergency, reach out to us right away for prompt treatment.
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How do I know if a dentist accepts CDCP?
To find out if a dentist accepts the CDCP, you can visit the Sun Life CDCP website or call their customer service to access a directory of participating dentists. You can also call or visit the dentist’s office to confirm they are enrolled in the CDCP. If your preferred dentist does not accept CDCP, you may need to find an in-network provider or discuss alternative payment options.
Still have questions about what’s covered by the CDCP? Let us know in the comments! Whether you’re unsure about a specific treatment or want to share your experience using the plan, we’re here to help! Your insight might help someone else, too.
