The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program that helps make dental care more affordable for eligible Canadians. It supports people with an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000 who don’t have private dental insurance. To plan your dental visits and avoid unexpected costs, you need to know what dental services are covered by CDCP. In this blog, we’ll explain these services and also what’s not included. Additionally, you’ll learn how Leslie North Dental helps patients benefit from dental services using this program.
Categories of Dental Services Covered by CDCP
The CDCP covers a wide range of dental services to keep your teeth and gums healthy. In the table below, you can see what is and what is NOT covered by CDCP. You can also read more about each service in the following sections.
| What CDCP Covers | What CDCP Does NOT Cover |
| Preventive Services | Cosmetic Dentistry Services |
| Diagnostic Services | Temporomandibular Joint therapy (TMJ) |
| Restorative Services | Sports Mouth Guards and Night Guards |
| Endodontic Services | Snoring and Bruxism Appliances |
| Periodontal Services | Dental Implant Services |
| Removable Prosthodontic Services | Bone Grafting |
| Oral Surgery | Teeth Whitening |
| Anesthesia or Sedation Services | |
| Orthodontic Services |
Now let’s check the services that CDCP covers in detail.
1. Preventive Care
As the name suggests, preventive care refers to any service that helps stop dental problems before they start. The CDCP covers these services to keep your mouth healthy.
- Cleaning (Scaling and Polishing): Regular cleanings remove plaque and tartar to prevent cavities and gum disease.
- Fluoride Therapy: Fluoride treatments strengthen teeth and help prevent decay.
- Sealants: These protective coatings are applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent cavities by sealing out food and bacteria.
2. Diagnostic Services
This type of service helps dentists find dental issues early. It includes:
- Dental X-rays that spot cavities, tooth decay, or other problems.
- Oral Exams to assess your teeth, gums, and mouth.
- Consultations with your dentist about your oral health.
3. Restorative Treatments
Restorative treatments fix damaged or decayed teeth to restore their function. This type of service includes:
- Permanent fillings
- Temporary fillings
- Pain control for diseased teeth
- Other treatments for cavities
4. Endodontic Services
Root canal therapy or endodontic services treat infected or decayed teeth to save them from extraction. CDCP covers every action needed throughout the process, including re-treatment of previously completed root canals.
New Age Update!
Public Services and Procurement has announced that all remaining eligible Canadians aged 18 to 64 can apply for the CDCP starting in May 2025, with coverage beginning June 1, 2025.
Application dates by age group:
May 1: 55 to 64 years old
May 15: 18 to 34 years old
May 29: 35 to 54 years old
Leslie North Dental proudly provide dental services within the CDCP program to eligible patients. Please feel free to contact us and learn more!
5. Oral Surgery
Many procedures are performed to remove teeth or fix problems in the mouth, which are known as oral surgery. To understand the covered treatments, read the list below:
- Removing teeth and roots
- Surgical removal of tumours and cysts
- Surgical incisions, including draining
- Treatments for broken jaw bones
6. Periodontal Services
These services focus on treating the gums and bone around teeth. The CDCP includes:
- Cleaning below the gumline
- Treating abscesses
- Bonding for loose teeth (needs preauthorization*)
- Post-surgery check-ups (needs preauthorization)
- Managing gum disease without surgery
*Preauthorization: This means getting approval from Sun Life, the CDCP’s administrator, before certain dental treatments to ensure they’re covered. Your dentist submits a request to confirm that the treatment is necessary, preventing unexpected costs.
7. Removable Prosthodontic Services
For those suffering from missing teeth, these services help replace them. Here’s what CDCP covers:
- Complete dentures (Standard or temporary)
- Denture repairs, relines and rebases
- Placing lining in dentures to condition oral tissues
- Complete immediate and overdentures (needs preauthorization)
- Partial dentures (needs preauthorization)
8. Anesthesia or Sedation Services
Sleep dentistry or sedation services are used to control your discomfort or pain during the dental procedures. CDCP covers the services below:
- Minimal sedation (conscious)
- Moderate sedation (Needs preauthorization)
- Deep sedation (Needs preauthorization)
- General anaesthesia (Needs preauthorization)
9. Orthodontic Services
In 2025, the Canadian Dental Care Plan covers limited orthodontic services, but only in cases of medical necessity based on strict criteria and with a maximum spending limit. Services like braces or Invisalign are not covered for cosmetic reasons and require preauthorization from Sun Life, the CDCP’s administrator, to confirm eligibility. Your dentist or orthodontist must submit a request with documentation showing the medical need, such as severe misalignment affecting oral health.
What Does NOT CDCP Cover?
While the CDCP covers many essential services, some treatments are not included unless they meet specific conditions. Here’s what’s generally not covered in 2025:
- Cosmetic Dentistry Services: Procedures like veneers, bonding, or other treatments aimed at improving appearance rather than addressing medical needs are not covered.
- Crowns for Cosmetic Reasons: Crowns are only covered if they’re needed for medical reasons, not for appearance.
- Braces, Retainers: Orthodontic services, like braces, are not covered unless they’re medically necessary and preauthorized.
- Dental Implants: Implants are not covered by the CDCP in 2025, unless new updates specifically include them. Check with your provider for the latest information.
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Therapy: TMJ therapy and related appliances are excluded from CDCP coverage.
- Sports Mouth Guards and Night Guards: These are not covered, as they are considered elective or non-essential for basic oral health.
- Snoring and Bruxism Appliances: Appliances for snoring or bruxism (teeth grinding), such as night guards, are explicitly excluded.
- Bone Grafting: Bone grafting procedures are excluded, as they are often related to implants or elective treatments.
- Teeth Whitening: This is a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by the CDCP.
How Does Leslie North Dental Help Patients Through CDCP
Leslie North Dental in Newmarket is a dedicated provider under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), helping eligible patients access affordable dental care. Our skilled team offers CDCP-covered services such as cleanings, exams, X-rays, fillings, root canals, extractions, and periodontal treatments.
For services requiring preauthorization, such as crowns or bonding for loose teeth, Leslie North Dental simplifies the process by submitting requests to Sun Life, ensuring coverage aligns with your oral health history.
Conclusion
The Canadian Dental Care Plan in 2025 covers a wide range of services, including preventive care, diagnostics, restorative treatments, oral surgery, and more. However, cosmetic dentistry, most orthodontics, and implants are not covered unless medically necessary.
For high-quality dental care in Newmarket, book your CDCP-covered appointment with Leslie North Dental today! Our friendly team is always ready to give you a hand in boosting your dental health!
FAQs
What dental treatments are covered under CDCP?
The CDCP covers essential dental treatments, including preventive, diagnostic, restorative, endodontic, periodontal, removable prosthodontic, oral surgery, sedation, and orthodontic services.
Does CDCP pay for teeth whitening or cosmetic dentistry?
No, the CDCP does not cover teeth whitening or cosmetic dentistry. Procedures like whitening, veneers, or crowns for appearance only are not included because they focus on looks, not health. The CDCP prioritizes essential care to maintain oral health, like cleanings or fillings.
Are root canals or crowns covered under CDCP?
Root canals are covered under the CDCP, but there are conditions for dental crown services. Crowns are only covered if Sun Life approves the treatment as medically necessary. This is mainly for severely damaged teeth that can’t be fixed with fillings.
Can I use CDCP for dental emergencies?
CDCP includes emergency dental care with unrestricted emergency exams. Most urgent treatments don’t need preauthorization, so you receive timely care. Call us right away for swift emergency treatment.
How do I know if a dentist accepts CDCP?
You can call or visit their website to confirm they are enrolled as a CDCP provider. Also, visit Canada.ca/dental or contact Sun Life at (800) 786-5433 for a list of participating dentists.
Have you used the Canadian Dental Care Plan for cleanings, fillings, or other dental services? Share your experience in the comments below! Let us know what worked well or which services you wish the CDCP covered!
