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Using Your CDCP Benefits at RDC Dental
If cost has been keeping you from getting the dental care you need, this federal program might be exactly what changes that and we’re here to make using your CDCP benefits as simple and straightforward as possible.
What the Canadian Dental Care Plan means for you:
The CDCP is federally funded dental coverage that launched in 2024.
Health Canada runs the program, while Sun Life Insurance handles the administrative side, like processing claims and managing member information.
But here’s what matters most to you as our patient: when you come to RDC Dental with CDCP coverage, we take care of billing the government program directly on your behalf.
This program was also created to help Canadians who’ve been forced to delay or skip dental care because of financial constraints.
At our Oshawa dental practice, we’ve seen too many patients wait until a small problem becomes a painful emergency simply because they couldn’t afford preventive visits.
The CDCP changes that reality for thousands of families in our community.
Finding out If you're eligible for the CDCP:
Let’s walk through who this program was created for.
Firstly, you’ll need to be living in Canada with a social insurance number.
Beyond that, the critical factor is whether you already have dental benefits elsewhere.
If you’ve got private insurance, coverage through work, access through a partner’s plan, or benefits from another government initiative, you won’t qualify because this program fills the gap for those without existing options.
Income plays a major role, too, as households earning up to $90,000 annually can potentially access these benefits.
When we talk about income here, we’re referring to your adjusted family net income, the figure that appears on line 23600 when you file your taxes.
Something worth noting: qualification extends to your entire household, not just one individual.
How payment works at RDC Dental:
When you visit us at Riordan Dental Care with CDCP coverage, the payment process depends on your household income bracket and we want you to understand exactly what to expect before your appointment.
Patients whose families earn under $70,000 annually receive full coverage with no out-of-pocket costs.
You’ll receive your dental treatment, and we bill the government directly for the full amount of covered services. You simply walk out without paying anything at our office.
If your household income falls between $70,000 and $79,999, you’ll be responsible for 40% of the treatment cost while the CDCP covers the remaining 60%.
For those earning $80,000 to $89,999, your portion is 60% with the program covering 40%.
Here's how we handle your CDCP billing:
When you check-in at RDC Dental, let our front desk staff know you’re using the Canadian Dental Care Plan and we will verify your coverage with the government system.
After your treatment, we’ll submit the claim directly to the CDCP administrator.
If your income level requires a co-payment, you’ll pay just your portion to us before leaving and we handle getting the rest paid by the government program.
No claim forms for you to manage and no waiting weeks for reimbursement checks.
The dental services we provide under the CDCP:
While we offer the full range of CDCP-covered services, there is, unfortunately, a lot of misinformation out there about the types of services that are actually covered.
The main thing to always consider is that the CDCP is primarily about Prevention, which is where we always encourage our patients to start.
For example, things such as regular cleanings, comprehensive examinations, necessary X-rays, and fluoride treatments all qualify for coverage.
These preventive appointments are truly the foundation of maintaining healthy teeth and catching potential issues before they require extensive treatment.
When restorative work becomes necessary, your CDCP benefits cover that care as well.
For example, treatments such as fillings for cavities, root canal therapy for infected teeth, extractions when a tooth can’t be saved, crowns to protect damaged teeth, bridges to replace missing teeth, and dentures are all included. We also handle oral surgery procedures when they’re clinically required.
Elective procedures that have no medical or preventive basis, like Invisalign® Clear Aligners and teeth whitening services are not covered.
For our younger patients, families will be glad to know that orthodontic dental treatment for children and teenagers under 18 receives coverage in appropriate circumstances.
These interventions can normally be expensive, so having them included in the CDCP plan provides real financial relief to families.
Coverage limitations to understand:
Like any dental insurance, certain boundaries exist.
Cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening fall outside what the program covers, and there are also annual maximum limits, and some higher-cost treatments need pre-approval from the CDCP before we begin work.
Our team at RDC Dental will always verify coverage and get necessary approvals before proceeding with treatment (so you’ll know what to expect).
100% coverage isn't necessarily 100% coverage:
When you see a plan advertised as offering 100% coverage, it usually means it pays the full amount listed in the government’s fee guide and not necessarily the full amount your dentist charges.
Dentists set their own fees, and if those fees are higher than the CDCP guide, you may still be responsible for the difference.
You might also have out‑of‑pocket costs for services the program doesn’t include, such as cosmetic treatments or certain denture, periodontal, or implant procedures.
Signing up for benefits:
Three different paths lead to enrollment, letting you choose whichever fits your comfort level and circumstances best.
Digital applications through Sun Life’s portal work well for people comfortable navigating websites.
You’ll input your SIN, describe your current insurance status (which will be none if you’re applying), and provide household income information.
The system saves partially completed forms, so interruptions won’t mean starting over from scratch.
Phone applications suit those who’d rather talk through the process.
Calling the dedicated helpline connects you with someone who can walk through every question, clarify confusing parts, and submit everything for you verbally.
It’s particularly helpful if forms tend to frustrate you or you want immediate answers to specific concerns.
Traditional paper remains an option as well.
Download the application, complete it at your kitchen table, and send it through Canada Post.
Processing takes longer compared to electronic submission, but it’s valid and works fine if that’s your preference.
Smart preparation:
Dig out your latest tax return before starting your application, as you’ll be required to reference specific income figures and having the document in front of you eliminates guesswork and speeds everything up considerably.
Getting your CDCP coverage set up:
Before you can use your benefits at RDC Dental, you need to enroll in the Canadian Dental Care Plan with the federal government.
Once you’re approved, visiting our office becomes straightforward.
After the government processes and approves your CDCP application, you’ll receive confirmation materials including your member identification number, and this is what you’ll need to provide when you call to book your first appointment with us.
Our staff will then verify your enrollment in the system and get you scheduled.
When you arrive for your appointment at RDC Dental, bring your CDCP member card or your member number.
Our front desk team will confirm your coverage details, including what percentage (if any) you’ll need to pay out of pocket based on your income level.
From there, you’ll receive your dental care just like any other patient at our practice.
What happens with the government payment:
After we’ve completed your treatment, our administrative team submits your claim electronically to the CDCP system and the government processes the payment and sends it directly to RDC Dental for the covered portion of your care.
This typically happens within a few weeks, but it’s completely behind the scenes from your perspective.
You only pay your co-payment portion (if applicable) on the day of service, and we handle all the government billing paperwork.
Making the most of your CDCP coverage at RDC Dental:
The smartest way to use your CDCP benefits is scheduling regular preventive appointments, as cleanings and examinations every six months help us catch decay, gum disease, and other problems while they’re still small and simple to treat.
Since preventive care receives full coverage regardless of income, these visits cost you nothing and protect your long-term oral health.
The connection to your overall health:
Taking care of your teeth and gums affects far more than just your smile.
Dental infections can impact your cardiovascular health, gum disease makes managing diabetes more difficult, and chronic oral pain affects both mental wellbeing and daily quality of life.
The CDCP removes the financial obstacle between you and comprehensive health maintenance, and we’re here at RDC Dental to provide that care.
If you have questions about whether a specific treatment is covered, what your co-payment might be, or how the billing process works at our office, just ask our staff.
We’re happy to explain your coverage and help you understand what to expect before any treatment begins, and you can reach RDC Dental directly to discuss your CDCP benefits and schedule your first appointment.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan represents meaningful progress in healthcare accessibility for our community here in Oshawa and right across Durham Region.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of this coverage.
Your oral health matters, and our practice is ready to help you maintain it through the CDCP.
