CDCP Dental Coverage Explained: What’s Free In 2025?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) was launched two years ago, but its complete implementation took place in 2025. People of all age groups are now eligible to apply to the CDCP dental coverage.
As your age group may have been allowed to apply to the CDCP recently, you may be curious about the plan’s coverage. For example, a common question that arises for beginners is what’s free in the Canadian Dental Care Plan in 2025. Learn all about it in our guide below.
What Is CDCP Dental Coverage?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a federal government insurance plan in Canada. It is offered in all provinces to eligible candidates for dental coverage.
You can complete your CDCP application to receive a welcome package from Sun Life. As a member of the insurance plan, you can receive coverage for various dental treatments at CDCP-participating dentists across the nation.
Does CDCP Dental Coverage Offer Free Dental Care Canada?
Yes, CDCP dental coverage may be free for you and your loved ones if you meet the specific eligibility criteria. The government has set a strict income requirement to ensure only low-income households are offered CDCP dental coverage.
For example, if your net adjusted family income is greater than $90,000, you won’t be eligible for CDCP dental coverage. Remember, this income limit is the general criterion. If you wish to require free dental care Canada under the plan, the income limit will be slightly different.
Do I Qualify For Free Dental Care?
You can qualify for free CDCP dental plan coverage if you check the following four boxes. If you’re meeting all except one requirement, you won’t be eligible for free dental care Canada.
1. No Dental Insurance
The first box you must check for free CDCP dental plan coverage is that you don’t have access to dental insurance in any way. This means you must not have:
● Dental insurance coverage as part of your or your family member’s employment benefits
● Access to dental insurance through a professional or student organization (even if you don’t use the benefit, you will still not be eligible for the CDCP because the access to dental insurance is present)
● Dental insurance Canada through pension benefits
● Dental coverage through a private plan bought by you or your family member
If you have active private dental insurance coverage, you’ll have to wait for the policy to end to be eligible for the CDCP.
2. Proof Of Tax Returns
All people applying to the Canadian Dental Care Plan must have filed their tax returns for the previous year. This applies to all married couples and common-law partners.
If the federal government cannot assess your family income through the tax returns of the previous year, you may not qualify for the CDCP. This is regardless of whether you’re aiming for free dental care Canada or partial dental cost reductions.
3. Canadian Residency
The Canadian Dental Care Plan 2025 is only for the country’s citizens and residents. You’ll be asked to offer proof of citizenship or residency during your CDCP application process.
This requirement has mainly been set for tax purposes. As a Canadian resident or citizen, you’re required to pay family and income taxes within the country. The proof of filed taxes helps the authorities assess your family income for the government dental plan.
4. Adjusted Family Net Income Is Below $70,000
The final and most important box to check for free CDCP dental coverage is an adjusted family net income of $69,999 or below. If your income is above this value, you cannot seek free dental care Canada.
However, there’s still a ray of hope if you want partial dental cost reductions under the CDCP. People with a net income of $70,000 to $90,000 are eligible to apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. This group will receive partial coverage under the government dental plan.
Why A Dentist May Still Charge You Even If You Qualify For Free CDCP Dental Coverage?
You may have 100% CDCP dental coverage, but your dentist in Bridgeport can charge you for the treatment legally. This happens when an additional charge applies to your case or you’re receiving an ineligible dental treatment.
1. Additional Charge
Some people complain that they qualify for 100% CDCP dental coverage, yet their dentist in Bridgeport is charging for the treatment. You must understand that the government dental plan has established fees set by Sun Life.
The established fee is the maximum fee that the CDCP will be covering. If the cost of the eligible dental treatment at your dentist is greater, the government dental plan will not cover the additional charge.
Let’s imagine you’re eligible for free CDCP dental coverage and getting an oral examination at a participating dentist. The CDCP fee guide 2025 has stated that the established fees for a complete oral examination range from $80.92 to $161.89 for adults.
If you’re dentist in Bridgeport has a flat fee of $180 for a complete oral examination, the CDCP will only cover $161.89 if you have 100% coverage. The remaining $18.11 will be the additional charge that you must pay yourself.
2. Ineligible Treatment
The Canadian Dental Care Plan covers restorative dental treatments such as dental fillings. You’re also eligible for sedation dentistry, such as oral sedation under the CDCP.
However, there are many treatments that are still not covered by the CDCP. A prime example of an ineligible CDCP treatment is a dental implant.
You may take your CDCP membership card to a participating dentist in Bridgeport for a dental implant. However, you may fail to ask the professional whether the treatment is covered by the government dental plan.
This is why the dental bill at the end may surprise you because you were expecting the CDCP fee guide to cover it. The best way to avoid such a situation is to ask your dentist in Bridgeport about eligible treatments, such as sedation dentistry cost under the government dental plan.
How To Get Free CDCP Dental Coverage?
To obtain free dental care Canada under the government dental plan, follow these essential steps:
1. Meet the earlier CDCP free dental coverage criteria - ensure no existing dental insurance, filed tax returns, Canadian residency, and adjusted family net income under $70,000
2. Apply to the CDCP online - submit your application through the official CDCP portal online or call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 to apply by phone
3. Wait for membership - your CDCP welcome package by Sun Life may take up to three months to arrive from the time you apply and enroll
4. Visit a participating dentist for eligible treatment after your plan is active - find participating dentists using Sun Life's CDCP Provider Search and ensure treatments are covered under the plan
Note that even with 100% coverage, you may still face charges if your dentist's fees exceed the CDCP established rates.
FAQs
Who Gets Free Dental Coverage In Canada?
There is no fixed free dental coverage plan in Canada, but some eligible candidates under the CDCP can receive 100% coverage. The latter benefit is mainly for people with an adjusted family net income below $70,000.
How Do I Qualify For Free Dental Care Under The Canadian Dental Care Plan?
You can qualify for free dental care in Canada under the CDCP by ensuring you don’t have access to other insurance, you’ve filed your tax returns for the previous year, have Canadian residency, and a net family income of $69,999 or below.
Is Free CDCP Dental Coverage Available For Households With $80,000 Income?
No, CDCP doesn’t cover 100% of established dental treatment fees for households with $80,000 income. If you’re from such a household, you will be eligible for a 40% dental cost reduction under the government dental plan.
How To Know If My Dentist In Bridgeport Is Offering Free CDCP Dental Coverage?
Firstly, ask your dentist in Bridgeport whether they’re listed as a CDCP participating dentist. Then, ask them if your dental treatment is covered by the plan. If so, then get a quote for the procedure at your dentist’s office and compare it with the established fees under the CDCP fee guide to determine whether you’ll face an additional charge.
Learn More About Free CDCP Dental Coverage At KWC Dental For Eligible Candidates
Understanding the Canadian Dental Care Plan's eligibility requirements and coverage limitations is essential for accessing free dental care in 2025.
While the CDCP offers 100% coverage for eligible treatments when your adjusted family net income is below $70,000, remember that additional charges may apply if your dentist's fees exceed established rates.
At KWC Dental in Bridgeport, we're proud CDCP participating dentists committed to helping eligible patients navigate their coverage options. Contact us today to learn more about your CDCP benefits and schedule your next appointment with confidence.