Understanding the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

The CDCP is a federal program designed to reduce financial barriers to oral health care for eligible Canadians — and Planet Dental is proud to participate.

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What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal government program created to help Canadians who do not have access to private dental insurance receive the oral health care they need. It is designed to remove financial barriers for eligible residents by covering a range of preventive, diagnostic, and restorative dental services.

Planet Dental is a registered CDCP provider. Eligible patients can access covered services at our East Hills clinic directly — we handle billing to the CDCP on your behalf, so your visit is as straightforward as possible.

What does the CDCP cover?

The CDCP covers a wide range of oral health services across the following categories:

Coverage is subject to the frequency limits and conditions established by the CDCP. Our team will confirm what is covered for your specific situation at your appointment.

Who is eligible for the CDCP?

To qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, you must meet all of the following criteria:

No access to private dental insurance

You do not currently have access to any form of private dental insurance — including employer-sponsored, pension-sponsored, or individually purchased dental benefits. If you have access to private insurance and choose not to use it, you are not eligible for the CDCP.

Financial criteria

Your adjusted family net income must be less than $90,000 per year. The co payment amount you are responsible for is determined on a sliding scale based on your income — see the payment breakdown below.

Canadian residency

You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.

Tax filing

You must have filed your income tax return for the previous year. The CDCP uses your most recent tax return to verify your income and calculate your co-payment.

How does CDCP payment work?

The CDCP is not a fully free program for all eligible Canadians — it operates as a co-payment system where the government covers a percentage of the established CDCP fee and you pay the remaining portion, based on your family income:

Income Level Coverage
Goverment Your Co-Payment

Under $70,000 (no co-payment)

100%

0%

$70,000 – $79,999

60%

40%

$80,000 – $89,999

40%

60%

Note: These tiers are based on your adjusted family net income as reported on your most recent tax return. Coverage percentages apply to the CDCP-established fee schedule — not necessarily to the full cost of treatment.

How to use your CDCP coverage at Planet Dental

Using your CDCP benefits at Planet Dental is simple:

Here's how it works:

If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible or what your coverage entails, our administrative team is happy to help you work through the details before your appointment.

Other government programs we accept

In addition to the CDCP, Planet Dental also accepts and directly bills the following programs:

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)

Dental coverage for eligible First
Nations and Inuit patients

AISH / Alberta Dental Service Corporation (ADSC)

Dental benefits for patients receiving Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped in Alberta

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I'm eligible for the CDCP?

Eligibility is determined by the Government of Canada based on your tax filing, residency, and access to private dental insurance. The most reliable way to confirm eligibility is through the official CDCP portal at canada.ca or by calling Service Canada directly. Our team can help you understand what information you’ll need and walk you through the process.

No — the CDCP covers a defined list of services including preventive care, examinations, X-rays, fillings, root canals, dentures, and extractions. Cosmetic treatments (such as teeth whitening and veneers), orthodontics, and implants are generally not covered. Your dentist will confirm which specific services are covered under your plan at your appointment.

If your adjusted family net income is below $70,000, the CDCP covers 100% of the established CDCP fee schedule for covered services — meaning no co-payment is required from you. Note that if Planet Dental’s fee for a service is higher than the CDCP-established rate, a balance may be applicable. We will be fully transparent about any potential out-of-pocket cost before proceeding with treatment.

No. The CDCP is specifically for Canadians who do not have access to private dental insurance. If you have access to private dental benefits — even if you choose not to use them — you are not eligible for the CDCP.

CDCP eligibility is reassessed annually based on your tax return for the prior year. If your income increases above the $90,000 threshold, you will no longer be eligible for the program in the following benefit year.

No. The CDCP is a federal program separate from provincial programs such as Alberta’s AISH/ADSC dental coverage. Planet Dental accepts both — and our team can help clarify which program applies to your situation

Not sure if you qualify? We'll help you find out.

Our team is familiar with the CDCP and can guide you through the eligibility and booking process. Reach out before your appointment and we’ll make sure everything is in order.

Planet Dental 
East Hills, Calgary 
Open 7 Days a Week

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    PROUDLY ACCEPTING THE

    Canadian Dental
    Care Plan