Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) in Edmonton

South Central Dentistry is proud to participate in the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and provide dental care to eligible CDCP patients in Edmonton.

The CDCP is a federal program designed to make dental care more affordable for eligible Canadian residents who do not have access to private dental insurance. The plan covers a wide range of preventive, restorative, periodontal, endodontic, oral surgery and prosthodontic services, although coverage is subject to the plan’s eligibility requirements, frequency limits, clinical criteria and established fees.

Our team can help you understand how the CDCP applies to your treatment and what, if anything, you may be responsible for paying.

Who is eligible for the CDCP?

Eligibility is based on several requirements. In general, you must:

Have no access to private dental insurance or dental coverage, including through an employer, pension, family member, professional or student organization, or a health spending account that covers dental care
Have filed your Canadian tax return for the previous year
Have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000
Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes

The CDCP is not limited to seniors. Eligible Canadians of different ages may qualify as long as they meet the program requirements. Eligibility must also be confirmed when renewing your coverage.

For the most current eligibility information, visit the Government of Canada’s CDCP website.

What dental services does the CDCP cover?

The CDCP covers a wide range of dental services, but not every procedure is automatically covered. Coverage depends on the type of treatment, your individual circumstances, the plan’s clinical criteria and applicable frequency limitations.

Depending on your eligibility and treatment needs, covered services may include:

Preventive and diagnostic care

Dental examinations
X-rays
Dental cleanings
Fluoride treatments
Some preventive services

Restorative care

Fillings
Certain crowns and other restorative procedures when the CDCP’s criteria are met

Root canal and endodontic treatment

Certain root canal procedures and other endodontic services

Extractions and oral surgery

Certain tooth extractions
Other eligible oral surgery procedures

Gum and periodontal treatment

Scaling and root planing when the CDCP criteria are met
Other eligible periodontal services

Dentures

Complete dentures
Partial dentures
Certain denture-related services

Some of these services require preauthorization before treatment can proceed. The CDCP has specific clinical criteria for services such as crowns, certain restorative treatment, dentures, additional periodontal treatment and sedation. Not every preauthorization request is automatically approved.

Does the CDCP cover crowns?

Some crowns may be covered, but crowns are subject to specific CDCP criteria and require preauthorization.

If your dentist determines that a crown may be appropriate, our team can submit the required information to the CDCP for review. The plan may request clinical information such as treatment details, X-rays and other supporting documentation.

A preauthorization request does not guarantee that treatment will be approved. The CDCP assesses requests according to its own clinical criteria.

If a crown is recommended for you, we will explain your treatment options and any expected costs before proceeding.

Will I have to pay anything if I have CDCP coverage?

Yes.

The amount you pay depends on your adjusted family net income, the CDCP’s established fees, the services you receive and whether there are additional costs not covered by the plan.

For the current benefit year:

Adjusted family net income below $70,000: the CDCP covers 100% of eligible services at the CDCP established fee
$70,000 to $79,999: the CDCP covers 60% of eligible services at the CDCP established fee
$80,000 to $89,999: the CDCP covers 40% of eligible services at the CDCP established fee

Even when the CDCP covers 100% of its established fee, you will still have an amount to pay if our dental fee is higher than the amount reimbursed by the CDCP or if you choose a service that is not covered by the plan.

This is an important distinction: CDCP coverage does not necessarily mean that all dental treatment will be completely free.

Before treatment, we will review the expected costs with you so you understand your financial responsibility.

What is preauthorization?

Some dental procedures require the CDCP to review and approve the treatment before it is provided.

Preauthorization is different from a typical private dental insurance preauthorization. The CDCP uses specific clinical criteria when determining whether a procedure qualifies for coverage. The plan may also require supporting documentation such as X-rays, periodontal records, treatment details or a clinical rationale.

At South Central Dentistry, our team handles the required CDCP documentation and submissions when preauthorization is needed.

Please keep in mind that submitting a preauthorization does not guarantee approval.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

If you are a new CDCP patient, please bring:

Your CDCP member information
A list of your current medications and medical conditions
Information about any dental treatment you have had recently
Any information regarding other government dental programs you participate in

If you have received a CDCP welcome letter, it is helpful to bring it with you. Your coverage must be active before your appointment can be billed through the CDCP.

Can I have CDCP and other dental coverage?

The rules depend on the type of coverage you have.

Generally, having access to private dental insurance through an employer, pension, family member or other source makes you ineligible for the CDCP. This applies even if you choose not to use the private insurance or it only covers part of your dental expenses.

Some patients may also have coverage through an Alberta government dental program, such as certain low-income health benefit programs. In these situations, CDCP and Alberta programs can coordinate benefits according to specific rules.

If you are unsure whether your coverage affects your CDCP eligibility, we recommend confirming your eligibility directly with the Government of Canada.

How does South Central Dentistry help CDCP patients?

Navigating a new dental benefit program can be confusing. Our team can help you understand the dental treatment recommended for you and how the CDCP applies to that treatment.

When appropriate, we can:

Verify your CDCP coverage
Submit claims directly to the plan
Submit preauthorization requests when required
Provide the documentation required for eligible treatment
Review your estimated patient portion before treatment
Explain treatment options and alternatives
Help you understand what is and is not covered by the CDCP

Our goal is to make your dental care as straightforward as possible while ensuring you understand your treatment and financial responsibility before moving forward.

CDCP and your dental treatment plan

The CDCP determines coverage based on its own rules, fees and clinical criteria. Your dentist’s recommendation for treatment is based on your individual oral health needs.

These two things are not always the same.

For example, a dentist may recommend a particular treatment because it is the most appropriate way to restore a tooth, even if the CDCP does not cover that treatment or does not cover the full cost.

We will discuss your options with you and explain the expected costs before proceeding with treatment.

Written by the South Central Dentistry team and reviewed by Dr. Jerome Caouette, DDS

New to South Central Dentistry?

Whether you are visiting the dentist regularly or have not been to a dentist in several years, we welcome you.

South Central Dentistry is a privately owned dental practice in South Edmonton providing comprehensive dental care for adults, children and families. Our services include preventive care, fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, wisdom teeth treatment, dentures, bridges, dental implants, clear aligners and cosmetic dentistry.

We also offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation and IV sedation for patients who experience dental anxiety or require additional comfort during treatment.

If you are looking for a CDCP dentist in Edmonton, our team is happy to discuss your needs and help you determine the next step.

Call South Central Dentistry at 780-757-3723 to book an appointment.

Learn More About the CDCP

The CDCP is administered by the Government of Canada. Because program rules, coverage and eligibility can change, we recommend using the Government of Canada as the most current source of information.

Canadian Dental Care Plan:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html

Check your eligibility:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/qualify.html

What the CDCP covers:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/coverage.html

CDCP Dental Benefits Guide:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/guide.html