Canadian Dental Care Plan

What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan, aka CDCP, is a federal initiative designed to improve access to dental services for families and individuals who may face financial barriers. This plan aims to cover essential dental treatments for residents in Calgary, SW Calgary, and Calgary, AB, ensuring more people can maintain healthy teeth and gums. This program reflects a nationwide effort to make dental care more accessible.

How Does the CDCP Work?

The CDCP offers coverage for eligible individuals and families based on their income. It focuses on preventive and essential dental services, such as cleanings, exams, fillings, and extractions. The CDCP will be rolled out using a phased approach, and is now available to all age groups.Eligible Canadian residents will be able to apply to the CDCP through the Government of Canada.At Chinook Smiles, patients in Calgary and SW Calgary can expect clear guidance on the covered services and how to access them through participating clinics.

How does CDCP co-payment work?

CDCP members may be required to make a co-payment, which is a percentage of the CDCP fees not covered by the plan. This co-payment is based on your adjusted family net income.

It’s important to note that CDCP fees may differ from what providers typically charge. In some cases, members may need to pay additional fees if:

• The cost of oral health care services exceeds the CDCP reimbursement amount, or
• Members choose to receive treatments not covered by the plan.

The CDCP will only reimburse providers for covered services based on the established fee schedule. We recommend discussing your coverage and any potential co-payments with your oral health provider before receiving treatment to avoid unexpected costs.

Can CDCP members’ benefits be coordinated with another plan?

The CDCP will coordinate benefits with other federal, provincial, and territorial social dental programs, where applicable. To help clarify how this coordination works, individual coordination of benefits factsheets have been created based on guidance from each provincial or territorial government.Please note that there is no coordination with privately funded or employer-funded dental benefits programs. If you have access to dental insurance, you would not be eligible for the CDCP per eligibility criteria of the program.

Need a Dentist in Calgary?

Finding a dentist in Calgary who accepts the Canadian Dental Care Plan can make dental visits easier and stress-free. Clinics in SW Calgary and Calgary, AB, welcome patients covered by the CDCP and ensure they receive care that aligns with the program’s guidelines.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan empowers patients in Calgary, SW Calgary, and Calgary, AB, with better access to dental services. Providing clarity through the Dental Benefits Guide and working with local clinics helps create healthier communities.

Understanding the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

Chinook Smiles in Calgary, AB is proud to support eligible patients through the Canadian Dental Care Plan—a federal program designed to reduce out-of-pocket costs for those without private dental insurance. This plan was created to improve accessibility and is currently offered to seniors aged 65 and above, children under 18, and those holding a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate for the year 2023. Beginning in May 2025, eligibility will expand to include adults between 18 and 64 who satisfy the necessary criteria.

To participate, you must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, not have access to private dental coverage, and meet specific income thresholds. The Canadian Dental Plan aims to bridge care gaps for households with adjusted net family incomes under $90,000, with the highest support available to those earning under $70,000.

Renewing Your CDCP Coverage for 2025–2026

If you’re currently enrolled, now is the time to start preparing for your CDCP renewal. To maintain uninterrupted coverage beyond June 30, 2025, you’ll need to file your 2024 tax return and obtain your Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). After that, expect a letter from the Government of Canada with personalized renewal instructions.

The renewal deadline is June 1, 2025. If you miss it, your coverage could temporarily lapse, and any dental expenses during that period won’t be reimbursed. Once your renewal is processed, you’ll receive a new confirmation letter indicating your co-payment details, coverage start date, and continued eligibility based on updated income data. Keeping your personal and contact information up to date is key to avoiding delays.

What Patients Can Expect

At Chinook Smiles, we help eligible patients use their CDCP benefits confidently. Once your enrollment is renewed, you’ll be able to access supported dental services without gaps. The plan is structured to work alongside existing federal or provincial social programs, ensuring coordinated benefits without duplication. Our staff will guide you through your paperwork, explain your co-payment, and help schedule care aligned with your eligibility.

Keep Your Coverage, Protect Your Smile

Visit Chinook Smiles at 6455 Macleod Trail SW: suite 408, Calgary, AB T2H 0K9. Schedule your visit with our dentist in Calgary and check your eligibility in our dental benefits guide today.