Canadian Dental Care Plan
Eligibility Criteria
- To qualify for the CDCP, you must not have access to dental insurance.
- Have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000.
- Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
- Have filed your tax return in the previous year.
Are we enrolling in the CDCP as a provider?
Maybe
i. Seaport dental clinic has yet to make that decision as we have not received all the details of the CDCP.
ii. We are supportive of increasing access to dental care for patients who need it.
iii. Our dental association has worked hard to get the Government of Nova Scotia to increase funding for its dental program for years.
iv. There are still many questions about the CDCP that the government hasn’t answered. Even though we have not decided if we will be signing up as a provider, all patients will continue to be treated as we’ve always done.
Should I cancel my appointment and wait for the CDCP?
a. No, we strongly recommend that you continue with your regularly scheduled appointments.
b. If you cancel, you will have to deal with wait times.
c. Also, finding and treating problems in the early stages will be less painful and less expensive. It’s best to make sure we catch any dental problem before they worsen.
Should I cancel my private insurance?
a. The government has said that the CDCP is not intended to replace existing workplace or private dental benefits. It is meant for Canadians who do not have dental benefits.
b. If you have existing insurance, you should not cancel your insurance as not all details of the CDCP are public knowledge at this point.
c. You’re still considered to have access to dental insurance if you choose to opt out of available benefits like these.
What will be covered and how much?
a. Examples of services that could be covered under the CDCP includes the following.
- i. preventive services, including scaling (cleaning), polishing, sealants, and fluoride.
- ii. Diagnostic services, including examinations and x-rays.
- iii. Restorative services, including fillings.
- iv. Endodontic services, including root canal treatments.
- v. Prosthodontic services, including complete and partial removable dentures.
- vi. Periodontal services, including deep scaling.
- vii. Oral surgery services, including extractions.
b. Every group has a different level of coverage so that will impact your level of co-payment and also the remaining balance billed by the dental clinic.
c. It is best to call Health Canada to discuss your specific coverage.
d. For more information on services covered, access the CDCP Dental Benefits Guide
e. If asked: What is my cost?
- i. You may have some costs because CDCP does not cover 100% of the normal fees, depending on your annual household income level.
- ii. We can book your appointment to see the dentist and determine the best plan for your oral health.
When can I get my benefits?
a. Once you’ve applied though Health Canada and it confirms that you qualify, your information will be shared with Sun Life, which will enroll you in the CDCP.
b. Sun Life will then send you your coverage start date and member card.
c. The start date to access care under the CDCP depends on the date you were enrolled. You should contact the government with any specific questions regarding your eligibility under the CDCP.
d. Application schedule:
- Seniors aged 87 and above- Started December 2023
- Seniors aged 77 to 86- January 2024
- Seniors aged 72 to 76- February 2024
- Seniors aged 70 to 71- March 2024
- Seniors aged 65 to 69- May 2024
- Adults with a valid disability tax credit credit certificate- Starting June 2024
- All remaining eligible Canadian Residents- Starting 2025.