Beyond The Drill

*I hate the dentist* most of us have heard that! This blog is about the human aspect of our profession, how it is for us to be in a craft that is incredibly demanding!

Blog By:
Sharib Manzoor

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for the CDCP, you must meet the following criteria:

    
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  No Access to Dental Insurance: You do not have dental coverage through employment, a family member’s benefits, or private insurance.

      
    
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  Income Requirement: Your adjusted family net income is less than $90,000.

      
    
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  Tax Residency: You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes.

      
    
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  Tax Filing: You have filed your tax return for the previous year.

      

Upon approval, you will receive a welcome package from Sun Life, the plan’s administrator, including a member card, co-payment details, and the start date of your coverage.

What Treatments Are Covered?

The CDCP covers a wide range of dental services deemed necessary by oral health providers, including:

    
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  Diagnostic and Preventive Services:
      
      

      
          
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    Dental exams (complete, routine, specific, and emergency)

            
          
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    X-rays

            
          
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    Cleanings (scaling)

            
          
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    Fluoride applications

            
          
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    Sealants

            
      
      
    
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  Basic Services:
      
      

      
          
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    Fillings (permanent and temporary)

            
          
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    Pain control for diseased teeth

            
          
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    Root canal treatments

            
          
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    Treatment for gum disease, including cleaning under the gumline

            
      
      
    
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  Major Services:
      
      

      
          
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    Crowns (with preauthorization)

            
          
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    Complete and partial dentures (with preauthorization)

            
          
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    Denture repairs and adjustments

            
          
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    Tooth extractions and other oral surgeries

            
      
      
    
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  Anesthesia or Sedation Services:
      
      

      
          
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    Minimal and moderate sedation (some require preauthorization)

            
          
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    General anesthesia (requires preauthorization)

            
      
      

Some services may require preauthorization, meaning approval is needed before treatment begins. Orthodontic services (such as braces) are expected to be included starting in 2025, for eligible patients with medically necessary needs.

Co-Payments:

Depending on your adjusted family net income, you may be responsible for a portion of your dental care costs:

    
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  Income Below $70,000: Eligible for 100% coverage of CDCP fees.

      
    
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  Income Between $70,000 and $79,999: Eligible for 60% coverage.

      
    
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  Income Between $80,000 and $89,999: Eligible for 40% coverage.

      

Important Considerations:

    
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  The CDCP is not free dental care—it subsidizes costs based on income and the nature of the treatment.

      
    
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  To avoid unexpected expenses, patients are encouraged to request their dental provider to submit a predetermination to Sun Life prior to treatment. This will outline what is covered and any potential out-of-pocket expenses.

      
    
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  Sun Life may communicate directly with you regarding your eligibility and benefit details. Be sure to check and respond to any correspondence.