Canadian Dental Care Plan in Kitchener
– What the Canadian Dental Care Plan is
– What it can help pay for
– Using your CDCP coverage at our office
The Canadian Dental Care Plan, usually shortened to CDCP, has brought a lot of Kitchener residents back to the dentist who hadn’t been in years. It has also caused plenty of confusion. People call us unsure whether they qualify, whether it’s free, and what happens when they actually sit down in the chair. This page is our attempt to explain the Canadian Dental Care Plan in plain language, from the point of view of a dental office that talks to patients about it every week at Highland Kitchener Dentist.
One thing up front: the program is run by the federal government, and its rules have been updated more than once since it started. We’ll keep things general here. For the official and current details, including eligibility and how to apply, always check the Government of Canada website at canada.ca.
What the Canadian Dental Care Plan is
The CDCP is a federal program meant to help people who don’t have dental insurance get the dental care they need. It was introduced because a large number of Canadians were skipping checkups and putting off treatment, and dental problems tend to get bigger and more painful the longer they wait.
The plan helps pay for eligible dental services. The government sets the list of covered services and the amounts it will pay, and a private insurance company handles the day to day administration, such as cards, claims and member questions, on the government’s behalf.
Insurance, direct billing and CDCP
This is the point that surprises people most. Depending on your family income, the plan may cover the full eligible amount or only part of it. If it covers part, you pay the rest, which is called a co-payment. Separately, if a dental office’s usual fee for a service is higher than what the CDCP pays, there may be a difference to cover. We bill most dental plans directly, though some specialist work may be billed differently. Our front desk will explain any fees before treatment starts, and you can ask for an estimate to send to your insurer. For anything your plan doesn’t cover, we accept credit cards and cash.
Who the plan is for, in general terms
We won’t list the exact cut offs on this page, because income limits and rules about who can apply have changed as the program rolled out, and they may change again. Broadly speaking, the plan is aimed at Canadian residents who:
- Don’t have access to dental insurance through work, a pension, a spouse or a private plan
- Fall under the family income limit set by the program
- Have filed their tax return for the previous year (and, where it applies, their spouse or common law partner has too)
If you’re not sure whether you fit, canada.ca has an eligibility checker and the current application details. It only takes a few minutes and it’s the most reliable answer you’ll get.
What the CDCP can help pay for
The plan covers a broad range of everyday dental care. The exact list of procedures is set by the government, but in general it includes services in these groups:
- Checkups and diagnosis: exams and X-rays that let us see what’s going on
- Prevention: cleanings, fluoride and sealants that help stop problems before they start
- Fillings and repairs: treating cavities and damaged teeth
- Root canal treatment: saving a tooth with an infected or inflamed nerve
- Gum care: treatment for gum disease
- Dentures: complete and partial dentures, plus adjustments and relines
- Extractions and oral surgery: removing teeth when they can’t be saved
Some services need approval from the plan before they can be done, and some have limits on how often they’re covered. Certain treatments, especially many cosmetic procedures, aren’t covered at all. Before we start anything beyond a routine visit, we’ll talk through what’s likely to be covered and what isn’t.
Using your CDCP coverage at Highland Kitchener Dentist
Once you’re enrolled, the practical side is fairly simple. Here’s what a typical first visit looks like from our end:
- Call to book. Let us know you’re a CDCP member when you call, and have your member details handy.
- We confirm your coverage. Before treatment, the office checks your coverage with the plan. Coverage only applies to care received on or after your coverage start date, so this step matters.
- Exam and treatment plan. We examine your teeth and gums, take any X-rays that are needed and explain what we find.
- Treatment plan and estimate. If treatment is needed, we go over what the plan is expected to cover and anything you’d be responsible for.
- Approval if required. For services that need prior approval, we submit the paperwork and wait for a response before going ahead, except in urgent situations.
Not every dental office has chosen to take part in the program, so it’s always worth asking when you call any clinic. If you have questions about how your CDCP coverage would work for a specific treatment here, our team is happy to go through it with you on the phone.
Getting the most from your coverage
A lot of people use the plan only when something hurts. That works, but it misses the biggest benefit. Prevention is where the program does the most good. A few suggestions:
- Book a checkup and cleaning soon after your coverage starts, even if your teeth feel fine
- Ask about anything that’s been bothering you, like a sensitive tooth or bleeding gums, while you’re there
- Keep your member information somewhere easy to find
- Update your details with the plan if your address, income or insurance situation changes
- If you get insurance through a new job, tell both the plan and us, since that can affect your eligibility
If it has been a long time since your last visit
Many of the CDCP patients we meet haven’t seen a dentist in five, ten or even twenty years. That’s completely understandable when every visit came out of pocket. If that describes you, please don’t let embarrassment keep you away now. We won’t lecture you.
A first visit after a long break is usually about getting a clear picture. We look at everything, sort out anything urgent and then put together a plan in a sensible order. Often the first priority is getting rid of pain or infection, then cleaning, then repairs over a few appointments. Spreading things out this way can also make co-payments easier to manage.
Common questions about the CDCP
How do I apply?
Applications go through the federal government, not through dental offices. Visit canada.ca and search for the Canadian Dental Care Plan to find the current application steps. Once you’re approved, you’ll receive confirmation along with your coverage start date.
Can my kids be covered?
Children can be covered if the family meets the program’s requirements. Since the details depend on your household, the canada.ca eligibility information is the best place to check.
What if I already have dental insurance?
In most cases, people with access to private dental insurance aren’t eligible. The rules around this have some nuances, so confirm your situation on canada.ca before applying.
Will I owe anything at my appointment?
Possibly. It depends on your co-payment level and on the specific services. We’ll explain any fees before treatment so you can decide how to proceed.
Questions about the Canadian Dental Care Plan in Kitchener?
If you’ve been putting off dental care, the CDCP might make it easier to get back on track. Check your eligibility on canada.ca, then give us a call. We can answer questions about your visit, explain what to expect and help you book. Reach Highland Kitchener Dentist at 519-885-1598, or visit us at 140 Highland Rd W in Kitchener.
Related treatments
Questions or ready to book? Contact our Kitchener office or call 519-885-1598.