Home / Canadian Dental Care Plan
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) Dentist in Oakville
Royal Oak Dental welcomes patients with Canadian Dental Care Plan coverage. We bill Sun Life directly for covered services, explain any remaining costs before treatment begins, and help you understand exactly how your coverage works — so you can feel informed and in control.
Yes — we welcome CDCP patients, new and existing
Royal Oak Dental accepts patients covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan at our Oakville clinic on Ford Drive. We submit claims directly to Sun Life, the plan administrator, which means you do not pay the covered portion up front. Before any treatment begins, we review what the CDCP is expected to pay and what, if anything, you may owe — without pressure and without surprises.
It is worth being clear about one thing from the start: the CDCP is a helpful program, but it is not a free dental program. Depending on your income level and the treatment you need, a co-payment or an additional amount may apply. We would rather explain that honestly on this page than surprise you at the front desk.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan, explained plainly
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a Government of Canada program that helps eligible residents pay for oral health care. It is administered by Sun Life and covers a defined range of dental services at fees established by the program. Since 2025, the plan has been open to all eligible age groups, and more than six million Canadians are now enrolled.
The CDCP is not a provincial program and is separate from the former Canada Dental Benefit, which ended in 2024. If you hold coverage through a provincial program such as Healthy Smiles Ontario or the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program, the two can work together — we can help you understand how benefits are coordinated.
Who may qualify, in four questions
Eligibility is determined by the Government of Canada, not by our clinic. You may qualify if all four of the following apply to you:
- You live in Canada for tax purposes — you must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
- Your adjusted family net income is under $90,000 — this is assessed from your most recent tax return.
- You do not have access to private dental insurance — coverage available through an employer, a pension plan or a purchased policy makes you ineligible, even if you have declined it or do not use it.
- You and your spouse or partner filed last year’s tax return — filing is required before you apply.
The most current criteria, income details and the application itself are on the Government of Canada website, and you can apply online or by phone at 1-833-537-4342. If you are unsure whether you qualify, we are happy to point you to the right resources — although only Service Canada can confirm eligibility.
How much the plan pays, and what that really means
| Adjusted family net income | The CDCP pays | Your co-payment |
|---|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 100% of CDCP fees | 0% of CDCP fees |
| $70,000 – $79,999 | 60% of CDCP fees | 40% of CDCP fees |
| $80,000 – $89,999 | 40% of CDCP fees | 60% of CDCP fees |
Please read this part — it matters. The percentages above apply to the CDCP’s own fee schedule, which is generally lower than the Ontario Dental Association’s Suggested Fee Guide that most Ontario dental offices, including ours, follow. This means that even with “100% coverage,” a portion of the cost of your visit may not be reimbursed by the plan, and that amount would be payable by you. Your enrolment letter states your co-payment level. Before treatment, we will give you a clear estimate that separates what the plan is expected to pay from what you may owe.
Three numbers to understand, before any treatment begins
Most confusion about the CDCP comes from mixing up three different amounts. Here is how they work, using a simple example. Suppose a service is billed at $100 under the Ontario fee guide, and the CDCP fee for the same service is $86 — a typical gap, according to the Ontario Dental Association.
- What the plan pays — the CDCP pays its percentage of the $86 CDCP fee. If your income band is under $70,000, that is the full $86. If your band is 60%, the plan pays about $52.
- Your co-payment — if your income band is 60% or 40%, the remainder of the CDCP fee is your co-payment: about $34 in the 60% example.
- The difference between fee guides — the gap between the office fee and the CDCP fee, $14 in this example, may also be payable by you, whatever your income band. This is called balance billing, and it is permitted under the program.
These figures are illustrative only; actual fees vary by service. What does not vary is our process: you receive a written estimate before treatment, we can submit a pre-treatment estimate to Sun Life when it is useful, and nothing proceeds until you feel informed and in control of the decision.
Services the plan may cover, and where approval is needed first
The CDCP covers a defined list of services. Some are covered routinely; others require preauthorization from Sun Life before treatment — a review process that can take several weeks and is not always approved.
Usually covered without preauthorization
- Checkups, examinations and dental x-rays
- Dental cleanings (scaling), fluoride and sealants — note that the plan sets yearly frequency limits, and additional cleanings beyond those limits may not be reimbursed
- Fillings and pain management for diseased teeth
- Root canal treatment (first treatment of a tooth)
- Extractions, including many wisdom-tooth removals
- Complete dentures, denture repairs and relines
- Nitrous oxide sedation
Typically requiring preauthorization
- Crowns, and posts or cores for crowns
- Partial dentures and immediate dentures
- Re-treatment of a previous root canal
- Some periodontal (gum) services
- Deeper sedation and general anesthesia
Not currently covered
- Dental implants and teeth whitening (cosmetic services)
- Orthodontic treatment such as braces or Invisalign — the government has indicated orthodontic coverage will come at a future date, but it is not available now
Whether a specific treatment is covered for you depends on the plan’s rules, frequency limits and, where required, Sun Life’s preauthorization decision. We will always tell you which category a recommended treatment falls into before you commit to anything.
You may also be interested in dental cleanings and checkups, fillings or dentures.
We bill Sun Life directly, so you do not pay covered amounts up front
Royal Oak Dental submits CDCP claims directly to Sun Life. This matters more than it might sound: under the program’s rules, Sun Life pays dental offices, not patients. There is no mechanism for a patient to pay the full amount and be reimbursed later. Direct billing is therefore the only way the plan works — and we handle it for you, just as we already do for private insurance plans.
After your visit, you pay only your co-payment and any amount above the CDCP fee, both of which will already have been shown on your estimate.
Your first CDCP visit, from phone call to follow-up
- Request an appointment Book online or call (905) 339-1001, and let us know you have CDCP coverage — there is a checkbox on our appointment form.
- We verify your coverage Before your visit, our team confirms your plan details with Sun Life so there are no surprises on the day.
- Examination and honest recommendations Your dentist examines your oral health and explains what they see, including which recommended treatments the plan may cover.
- A written estimate before treatment You receive a clear breakdown: what the CDCP is expected to pay, any co-payment, and any additional amount. For treatments requiring preauthorization, we submit the request to Sun Life and wait for its decision before proceeding.
- Treatment and direct billing We submit the claim to Sun Life and you pay only your portion.
What to bring to your appointment
- Your Sun Life CDCP member card — or your enrolment letter showing your member ID, coverage start date and co-payment level. You do not need to wait for the physical card.
- Government-issued photo identification
- A list of any medications and relevant medical history.
- Details of any other dental coverage, including provincial programs, so benefits can be coordinated.
If you have questions about your coverage before the visit, Sun Life’s CDCP line is 1-888-888-8110, and our front desk is glad to help you prepare.
Already a patient here? Newly enrolled? Both are welcome.
If you are an existing Royal Oak Dental patient who has become eligible for the CDCP, tell us before your next visit and we will update your file and verify your coverage. If you are new to the clinic, we are currently welcoming new patients of all ages, with Saturday and evening appointments available. Your coverage begins on the start date in your enrolment letter — treatment before that date is not covered by the plan, so if you are newly approved, have your start date handy when you book.
Same care. Same materials. Same team.
How your care is paid for does not change the care itself. CDCP patients at Royal Oak Dental see the same dentists, receive the same materials and the same time and attention as every other patient. Our role is to recommend what your oral health genuinely needs, explain what your coverage realistically pays for, and let you decide — without pressure.
CDCP coverage renews every year — it is not automatic
CDCP members must renew annually and file their taxes to remain covered. For the 2026–27 benefit year, the renewal window ran from April 15 to June 1, 2026; members who missed it lost coverage on June 30, 2026 and must reapply through Service Canada, which can leave a gap — the plan does not reimburse retroactively. Applications for the current benefit year (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027) are open now on canada.ca.
Two practical notes: your co-payment level can change at renewal if your income has changed, and treatment is always paid at the coverage level in effect on the day of service — not the day of an earlier estimate. If your situation has changed, tell us and we will re-verify before your visit.
Program details on this page were last verified on July 13, 2026 against Government of Canada, Sun Life, RCDSO and Ontario Dental Association sources.
Questions are always welcome.
Yes. We welcome both new and existing patients with Canadian Dental Care Plan coverage at our Oakville clinic, and we bill Sun Life directly for covered services.
No. The CDCP is not a free dental program. Depending on your income level, a co-payment may apply, and because the plan pays according to its own fee schedule — which is generally lower than the Ontario fee guide our office follows — an additional amount may also be payable. We provide a written estimate before treatment so you know your costs in advance.
Canadian residents for tax purposes with an adjusted family net income under $90,000, no access to private dental insurance, and a filed tax return for the previous year. All age groups are now eligible. Eligibility is confirmed by Service Canada, not by dental offices — you can check and apply at canada.ca or by calling 1-833-537-4342.
Cleanings, checkups and x-rays are covered services, but the plan sets yearly frequency limits — for most adults, roughly one cleaning per year in scaling units. Additional cleanings beyond the plan’s limits may require preauthorization or may be payable by you. We will tell you where you stand before your appointment.
Complete dentures, denture repairs and first-time root canals are generally covered. Crowns, partial dentures and root-canal re-treatments require preauthorization from Sun Life before treatment, which can take several weeks and is not always approved.
No. Orthodontic treatment is not currently covered — the government has said it will be added at a future date. Dental implants and cosmetic services such as whitening are not covered.
It depends on your income band and the treatment. The plan pays 100%, 60% or 40% of its own fees based on your adjusted family net income; any co-payment plus any difference between our office fee and the CDCP fee is payable by you. You will receive an estimate separating these amounts before treatment begins.
No — and this is important. Sun Life only pays dental offices directly; patients cannot claim reimbursement themselves. Royal Oak Dental bills Sun Life directly, so you pay only your portion after the claim is submitted.
Your Sun Life member card or enrolment letter (with member ID, coverage start date and co-payment level) and government-issued photo ID. You do not need to wait for the physical card to book.
Yes — the programs coordinate, with the CDCP paying first and the provincial program considered second. Bring details of both coverages and our team will help sort out the paperwork.
If you missed the June 1, 2026 renewal deadline, your coverage ended on June 30, 2026 — but you can reapply on canada.ca, and applications for the current benefit year are open. Treatment received while coverage is inactive is not reimbursed retroactively, so we recommend reapplying before booking non-urgent care. If you are in pain, call us regardless and we will discuss your options.
No. The Canada Dental Benefit was a temporary program of direct payments to parents that ended in 2024. The CDCP is the permanent program that replaced it and now covers eligible Canadians of all ages.
Care you can feel confident in
Estimates before treatment
You will always know what the plan is expected to pay and what you may owe before anything begins.
Direct billing handled
We submit claims to Sun Life for you, as we do with all insurance plans — you never pay covered amounts up front.
Care in 13 languages
Coverage questions are easier to ask in the language you think in. Across our team, we speak thirteen languages.
A full team, one roof
From checkups and fillings to root canals, extractions and dentures, most CDCP-covered services are provided here in Oakville.
Kind words from our patients
Choosing a dentist is personal, and we are grateful to every patient who has trusted us with their care. Here are a few of the experiences families in Oakville and the surrounding community have shared.
Dr. Yasin is truly one of the best dentists I’ve ever been to — incredibly knowledgeable, gentle, and she takes the time to explain everything clearly. Every appointment feels smooth and stress-free, and the level of care is unmatched.
Dr. Yasin and her team are an absolute wonder — professional, personable and punctual. They provide excellent care and always go above and beyond for their patients.
Dr. Saman Abbas is amazing. I had a complicated chip in my front tooth, and she listened patiently, came up with a focused plan, and fixed it so skillfully.
Jennifer Nguyen was awesome — professional, thorough, respectful and fun, and she really knows what she’s doing. You can’t say ‘no’ when she asks you to floss!
I’ve been a patient for years. The receptionist is always friendly, the dental assistants are kind, the hygienist is gentle, and Dr. Yasin is skilled and patient — you can tell they genuinely care.
Outstanding dental clinic! The service was excellent from start to finish, the staff made me feel at ease right away, and the clinic is clean, modern and relaxing. Highly recommend!
Book your visit as a CDCP patient
New and existing patients welcome · Direct billing to Sun Life · Serving Oakville & Mississauga
Royal Oak Dental accepts patients covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Eligibility, coverage, fees, co-payment levels and preauthorization decisions are determined by the Government of Canada and Sun Life, not by Royal Oak Dental. Coverage of a specific treatment is not guaranteed, and amounts not reimbursed by the plan — including co-payments and any difference between office fees and CDCP fees — are payable by the patient. For official program information, visit canada.ca or call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342.
© 2026 Royal Oak Dental. All rights reserved. · Privacy Policy · Designed by Pixelore.ca