The Canadian Dental Care Plan
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program that helps cover oral health care for Canadian residents without access to private dental insurance. We welcome CDCP patients at Riverbend Dental Health.
Applications are open for the 2026 to 2027 benefit year. Plan details are set by the Government of Canada and can change.
We go through the numbers with you before treatment begins, so there are no surprises
Do You Qualify?
You must meet all four requirements.
- You have no access to private dental insurance through work, a pension, a family member’s plan, a policy you bought, or a health spending account.
- You and your spouse or common-law partner, if applicable, have filed your Canadian tax return for the previous year.
- Your adjusted family net income is less than $90,000.
- You are a Canadian resident.
Coverage you have never used still counts as access. Check box 45 on your T4, or box 015 on your T4A. A 1 means no access through that plan.
What the Plan Covers
The CDCP helps pay for services your provider recommends. Some are covered outright, others need the plan’s approval first.
- Exams, x-rays, cleaning (scaling), fluoride and sealants
- Fillings, pain control, root canals and pulpectomies
- Cleaning under the gumline, treating abscesses and non-surgical gum disease management
- Posts and cores, crown repairs, dentures, relines and rebases. Crowns and partial dentures need preauthorization
- Removal of teeth and roots, and surgical removal of tumours and cysts
- Nitrous oxide and oral sedation. Deeper sedation needs preauthorization
Orthodontic services are not available under the plan yet.
What You Will Pay
How much the plan covers depends on your adjusted family net income. The rest is your co-payment, paid directly to your provider.
| Adjusted family net income | CDCP covers | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lower than $70,000 | 100% | 0% |
| $70,000 to $79,999 | 60% | 40% |
| $80,000 to $89,999 | 40% | 60% |
Those percentages apply to the CDCP’s own established fees, which do not always match the Alberta Dental Fee Guide we follow. For some services there can be a difference, and uncovered services are charged separately.
We go through the numbers with you before treatment begins, so there are no surprises. Contact our office to confirm how billing works for your visit.
How to Apply
Apply online through your My Service Canada Account, or by phone. You will need a Social Insurance Number, date of birth, name and address for each applicant, and an assessed tax return. Full details are on the Government of Canada’s Canadian Dental Care Plan page.
If you are covered by the CDCP, or think you might qualify, contact Riverbend Dental today to learn what your coverage means for your care. Call us at 403-236-7616.