The Canada Dental Care Plan is a government program that is designed to help Canadians cover some common dental expenses.
But who – and what – is covered? Let’s break down exactly how the CDCP works.
What is covered by the CDCP?
If you’re eligible, the CDCP will cover some or all of the cost of procedures like:
- Routine dental exam
- X-ray
- Cleaning and scaling
- Filling
- Root canal
- Crown (you need pre-authorization first)
- Dentures
- Tooth extraction
Many of these dental procedures can be big ticket items. If you aren’t eligible for the CDCP, you might consider private dental insurance like Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance. When you bundle Major Dental coverage onto your plan, you’ll get 50% coverage on procedures like a crown. This can add up to hundreds of dollars in out-of-pocket savings.
What isn’t covered by the CDCP?
Quite a few common dental costs aren’t covered by the CDCP. They include:
- Orthodontics for aesthetic reasons
- Implants
- Veneers
- TMJ therapy and appliances
- Gum grafts
- Night guards or sports guards
Is the CDCP free dental care for all Canadians?
No, but this is a common misconception. In fact, only some Canadians are eligible for the CDCP – and even when you’re eligible, there are many common dental costs that aren’t covered by this government plan.
In some cases, you also only get partial coverage. This means the government will only pay for some of the cost, and you still have to pay out-of-pocket for the rest.
It’s also common for pre-authorizations – when you have to wait to see if something will be covered before you get the procedure – to take a long time to be completed.
Denials for coverage of certain complex procedures is also quite common: According to the Canadian Dental Association, 52% of these pre-authorization requests were rejected between November 2024 and June 2025.
Plus, many dentists aren’t participating in the CDCP. This means that you might have limited choice when it comes to where you can get covered procedures done.
This is why private health insurance that includes dental coverage can be a great way to fill gaps in our government healthcare. Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance, for example, has affordable plans that include different levels of coverage, starting at just dollars a day – and without the long wait to hear if your procedure has been pre-authorized.
Who is covered by the CDCP?
First, you have to be eligible for this government program. Currently, that’s limited to people who:
- Don’t already have access to dental insurance, like through their workplace benefits or a private insurance plan.
- Have a net family income of less than $90,000.
- Have filed their taxes and are a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
Does the CDCP cover the full cost of my dental procedure?
Not necessarily. Even if a specific procedure is covered by the CDCP, there are a few reasons you might still pay some of the cost out-of-pocket.
If your net family income is between $70,000 and $79,999, CDCP only pays 60% of the “established fee,” meaning a set amount the government has agreed dentists can charge.
If your dentist charges more than the established fee, you must pay the difference.
And, if you earn between $80,000 and $89,999, the CDCP only covers 40% of the established fee. This means you still have to find the money to cover the other 60%, plus any additional fees your dentist charges on top of that.
Unlike the CDCP, however, private dental insurance like Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance offers predictable coverage levels. For example: If you have the popular Select plus plan, you know that you’re entitled to 80% coverage for the cost of routine dental services, up to $750 per person per calendar year.