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The Canadian Dental Care Plan in Scarborough
Dental care should not wait for a better month. The Family Dental Centre proudly accepts the Canadian Dental Care Plan, so eligible patients can get the treatment they need with little or no cost at the time of the visit.
- Direct billing to Sun Life
- New patients welcome
- Help with your questions
Why This Matters
For a long time, the cost of dental care was the reason many Canadians put off a cleaning, lived with a sore tooth, or waited until a small problem became an urgent one.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is the federal government's answer to that. It is a national plan, administered by Sun Life, that helps cover the cost of dental care for Canadian residents who do not have access to dental insurance and whose adjusted family net income is under $90,000 a year.
The Family Dental Centre is a participating provider. That means you can be treated here under the plan, and we bill Sun Life directly wherever possible, so you are not left paying up front and waiting to be reimbursed.
Where the CDCP Stands Now
The plan finished rolling out in stages and is now open to every eligible age group. Children under 18, seniors, adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate, and all other eligible adults aged 18 to 64 can apply.
- Applications are open to all eligible age groups, with no waiting period between them
- You apply online through your My Service Canada Account, or by phone if you prefer
- Coverage is renewed each year, so you reapply annually to stay enrolled
- Once your welcome package arrives, your start date is fixed — care before that date is not covered
Do not book treatment before the start date on your welcome letter. Appointments that fall even a day earlier are not covered by the plan. If you are unsure of your date, call us and we will check it with you.
Do You Qualify? Four Rules to Meet
You must meet all four of these to be eligible. If you are close on any of them, it is still worth applying — Service Canada makes the final decision, not us.
No access to dental insurance
You cannot have dental coverage through an employer, a pension, a spouse's plan, a student plan, or a private policy — including coverage you chose not to take.
Your tax return is filed
You — and your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one — must have filed your most recent tax return and received your Notice of Assessment.
Adjusted family net income under $90,000
Eligibility is based on your adjusted family net income for the year. Under $90,000 qualifies; how much the plan pays then depends on which band you fall into.
Canadian resident for tax purposes
You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes in the year you apply and for the year you are covered.
How to Apply, Step by Step
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Gather what you need
Your Social Insurance Number, date of birth, full name and home address, and details of any government dental coverage you already receive. Have the same details ready for your partner and children if you are applying as a family.
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Sign in to My Service Canada Account
Go to the My Service Canada Account portal and choose the Canadian Dental Care Plan application. If you do not have an account yet, you can register for one first.
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Complete the form
Most people finish in ten to fifteen minutes. You will confirm your income details, your lack of dental insurance, and your residency.
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Save your confirmation
You will be given an application code and a confirmation message. Keep both — the code is how you check your status later.
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Prefer not to apply online?
Call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342 (TTY 1-833-677-6262) and apply over the phone, or visit a Service Canada office in person. There is no disadvantage to applying this way.
After You Apply
Sun Life will send you a welcome package once your application is approved. It contains your member ID and the date your coverage begins. Keep it somewhere safe — we will ask for the member ID when you book.
- Watch for your welcome letter with your member ID and coverage start date
- Check your application status online using your application code, or by automated phone line
- Bring your member ID and a piece of identification to your first appointment
How Much Will the CDCP Pay?
The plan pays a percentage of the established CDCP fee for each eligible service. The percentage depends on your adjusted family net income. Anything the plan does not pay is your co-payment.
| Adjusted family net income | CDCP pays | Your co-payment |
|---|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 100% | 0% |
| $70,000 to $79,999 | 60% | 40% |
| $80,000 to $89,999 | 40% | 60% |
There can be a further amount to pay if a treatment is not covered by the plan, or if a fee is higher than the CDCP rate for that service. We will always go through the numbers with you before treatment starts, so there are no surprises afterwards.
Services Typically Covered
The plan is built around the everyday care that keeps teeth healthy. Coverage is subject to Sun Life's rules, and some treatments need to be approved in advance.
- Examinations, X-rays, and diagnostic work
- Cleanings, scaling, polishing, and fluoride
- Fillings and other restorative treatment
- Root canal treatment
- Removable complete and partial dentures
- Extractions and basic oral surgery
Not sure whether you qualify?
Call us. We talk families through the CDCP every week, and we are happy to help you work out where you stand before you apply.
Booking With The Family Dental Centre
We are a participating CDCP provider, and we bill Sun Life directly wherever the plan allows. In most cases that means you pay only your co-payment, if you have one, and nothing more on the day.
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Tell us you are with the CDCP
Mention it when you call or when you fill in the form. Have your member ID and coverage start date handy if you already have them.
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We confirm your coverage
We check what the plan covers for the treatment you need and let you know your co-payment, if any, before your appointment.
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Come in and be seen
We treat you, submit the claim to Sun Life on your behalf, and you settle only the balance the plan does not cover.
CDCP Questions We Hear Most
Are you accepting new CDCP patients?
Yes. We are accepting new patients under the Canadian Dental Care Plan and welcome families from across Scarborough. Call (416) 281-1388 or request an appointment online and we will find you a time.
Do I have to pay anything at my appointment?
It depends on your income band and on the treatment. If the plan covers 100% of the CDCP fee for that service, there is usually nothing to pay. If you are in a co-payment band, or a treatment is outside what the plan covers, you pay the difference. We tell you the amount in advance.
Can I use the CDCP if I have some private coverage?
No. Having access to dental insurance through an employer, a pension, a spouse, a student plan, or a private policy makes you ineligible — even if you have chosen not to use it. Provincial and territorial dental programs are treated differently, so ask us if that applies to you.
How long does approval take?
Timelines vary. Most applicants hear back within a few weeks and receive a welcome package from Sun Life with a coverage start date. You can check your status online with your application code at any point.
Do I need to reapply every year?
Yes. Coverage runs in yearly periods, and you confirm your eligibility again for each one. Keep filing your tax return on time — an unfiled return is the most common reason people lose coverage.
Does the plan cover braces, implants, or whitening?
Generally no. The CDCP is built around essential care rather than cosmetic or elective treatment. If you would like one of those treatments, we can talk you through the cost separately and set up a plan that works for you.
Welcoming Patients From Across Scarborough
Our practice on Milner Avenue is easy to reach, with parking on site and TTC service nearby. We are glad to see patients from the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Let Us Keep Your Smile Healthy, Affordably
If the CDCP has opened a door for you, we would love to help you walk through it. Book a visit and we will take it from there.