Using the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) at Vista Dental

If you've been putting off dental care because of the cost, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) may help. Vista Dental accepts CDCP, and we're happy to help Medicine Hat patients understand how it works.

What is the CDCP?

The CDCP (Canadian Dental Care Plan) is a federal program that helps eligible Canadians without dental insurance cover part of the cost of their dental care. It is administered by Health Canada and Sun Life, with Sun Life processing claims and managing the network of participating providers.

Who qualifies?

To qualify, you must have no access to dental insurance, an adjusted family net income below $90,000 per year, and be a Canadian resident for tax purposes. You also need to have filed a tax return in the previous year.

One detail catches many people: "access to dental insurance" can include simply being eligible for a plan, such as through an employer, even if you chose not to sign up.

Already a member? Check your renewal!

CDCP coverage runs by benefit year. You have to reapply every year to stay covered! If you were covered for 2025–2026 and didn't renew by June 1, 2026, you can reapply, but you may have a gap in coverage. You can check your status on the official CDCP page at canada.ca/dental.

What does it cover?

The plan helps with a range of preventive and restorative care, including exams, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, root canals, extractions, and even crowns. There are different tiers of coverage, on a sliding scale, based on income.

An important thing to note, however, is that even if you qualify for "100% coverage" on the plan, it does NOT mean that they are going to pay 100% of your final bill. This is because there are differences between the federal dental fee guidelines and provincial fee guidelines. Additionally, the plan imposes frequencies and maximum limits to procedures. For example, they only cover 1 hour of cleaning time per year.

If you are concerned about finances, it's important that you request a pre-determination before your dental appointment. We will be able to provide you with a more accurate estimate.

To read more about how Vista Dental can help with insurance, billing, and finances, see our Financial Information page.

Booking with Vista Dental

When you call or request an appointment, let us know you're a CDCP member and have your member card handy. Our team will take care of the rest.\