Canadian Dental Care Plan

The Canadian Dental Care Plan Hamilton (CDCP) is a federal dental benefit program that helps eligible seniors, children, and uninsured adults access essential dental care.

It’s especially important for those who have no private dental insurance and whose family’s net income is under CAD 90,000.

If you’re searching for a dentist that accepts CDCP, or want to understand the CDCP benefit, this guide explains what is covered, who qualifies, how to apply, and how Rymal Family Dental supports patients.

Who Qualifies for the CDCP Benefit?

To qualify for the CDCP benefit, you must meet all of these criteria :

Have no private or employer-provided dental insurance, either personally or through a family plan.
Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
Have filed a tax return in the previous calendar year.
Have a family net income under CAD 90,000.

The rollout began with seniors 65+ and children in 2023–2024. All other eligible adults without insurance became eligible in 2025, with services began as early as June 1, 2025. Note: Eligible Canadians of all ages can now apply for the CDCP.

What Services Are Covered?

CDCP covers a broad range of essential dental treatments, including:

Preventive & diagnostic: examinations, X‑rays, cleanings, fluoride, sealants
Restorative: fillings, root canals, extractions
Periodontal care: gum treatments, deep scaling
Major procedures: crowns, dentures, partial/complete prosthetics (many require preauthorization)
Oral surgery: wisdom tooth removals, cyst/tumour surgery
Sedation & anesthesia: including up to general anesthesia with approval
Limited orthodontic treatment for medical necessity, launching mid‑2025

Preauthorization is mandatory for more complex procedures like crowns and dentures, effective November 1, 2024.

How Much Will CDCP Pay?

Your co-payment depends on your adjusted family net income:

Income Level	CDCP Covers	You Pay
Under CAD 70,000	100%	0%
CAD 70K–79,999	60%	40%
CAD 80K–89,999	40%	60%

If your dentist charges above CDCP fee limits, the extra (called balance billing) must be paid by you.

How to Apply to the CDCP

Here’s the process to enroll:

Confirm you meet the eligibility criteria above.
Apply via My Service Canada Account (MSCA), by phone (1‑833‑537‑4342), or by mail.
Provide SIN, birth date, address, and evidence of family income and confirm you have no dental insurance.
After approval, you’ll receive a welcome letter from Sun Life with your coverage start date and co-payment level.
On or after your start date, visit a dentist in Hamilton who accepts CDCP. They submit claims to Sun Life, and you’ll only pay your part.

You can verify local participating providers using Sun Life’s CDCP Provider Search.

How Rymal Family Dental Supports CDCP Patients

Located at 8 Kingsborough Dr, Hamilton, ON, Rymal Family Dental is a registered dentist that accepts CDCP:

Direct billing: claims are sent electronically to Sun Life; no paperwork for you.
Eligibility confirmation: Staff screens for CDCP status and coverage before treatment.
Preauthorization handled: They submit forms to Sun Life for services like dentures or crowns.
Transparent estimates: Charges and any balance billing are explained in advance.
Comprehensive care: From routine exams and cleanings to implants, crowns, dentures, sedation, and emergency services.
Senior-first approach: Fully supports the CDCP for seniors and ensures dental coverage for seniors is easy to access and understand.
Accepts most private insurances and offers flexible financing for non-CDCP services.

Tips for Seniors Using CDCP

Understand your co-payment: Seniors under CAD 70,000 pay 0%, while higher-income seniors may pay 40% or 60%.
Use preventive services: Annual check-ups and cleanings are typically covered without preauthorization; book twice yearly.
Request authorization early: For dentures, crowns, or sedation, let Rymal Family Dental submit Sun Life approvals in advance.
Talk about balance billing: Ask if any service charges exceed CDCP fees, and know what you’re expected to pay.
Coordinate with provincial senior plans: If you receive Ontario seniors’ dental benefits, make sure CDCP is primary when you lack dental insurance coverage.
Renew annually via MSCA after filing your taxes to keep CDCP coverage active each year. See more official guidance for Ontario seniors at Hamilton’s public health programs.

FAQs

What is the CDCP benefit?

It’s a federal dental benefit for uninsured Canadians with income under CAD 90,000, covering a wide scope of services with co‑payments tied to income.

How do seniors use the CDCP for seniors?

Seniors aged 65+ without private dental insurance qualify. After applying through MSCA and receiving approval, they can access covered care with minimal out-of-pocket costs.

How much dental coverage for seniors is available?

Preventive major treatments are eligible; seniors under CAD 70,000 pay zero co-payment, while others pay 40% or 60% depending on income.

How long does CDCP preauthorization take?

Providers report preauthorization requests (e.g., for crowns) take about one month for approval.

How do I find a dentist in Hamilton that accepts CDCP?

Use Sun Life’s provider search tool to locate participating clinics; Rymal Family Dental is signed up and able to bill directly on your behalf.