CDCP FAQs

Canadian Dental Care Plan — every question we hear

Reviewed by Dr. Zeyad Hammad, DDS · Updated 2026-05-28

Common questions about how CDCP works at Suncoast Dental in Goderich. For specific eligibility rules, coverage details, and senior considerations, the topic pages have more depth — eligibility, what's covered, and for seniors.

Ask about your CDCP coverage
Suncoast Dental team answering CDCP questions at the front desk (placeholder)
Quick orientation

How CDCP works at Suncoast — the short version

We're enrolled in the Canadian Dental Care Plan and direct-bill the program. You bring your card to your visit, we predetermine your benefits before any work begins, and you only pay any co-pay portion CDCP doesn't cover. Many patients in the lowest income tier pay nothing for covered services.

If you don't yet have CDCP and think you might qualify, our team helps with the application. Just mention it when you book. The questions below cover everything else.

CDCP welcome materials at Suncoast Dental (placeholder)

Using your CDCP at Suncoast

The most common questions patients ask when they arrive with a CDCP card or are about to book their first CDCP-covered visit.

Bring your CDCP member card (issued by Sun Life), any other dental insurance information you have, and a piece of photo ID. If you have any prior dental records or x-rays from another practice, bring those too — we can use them in your treatment planning.
Depends on your CDCP enrollment tier — which is based on your adjusted family net income. The lowest tier typically has no co-pay on covered services. Higher tiers have partial co-pays (typically 40–60% of the program fee). We predetermine the specific amount before any work begins, so there are no surprises.
Yes — we send claims directly to Sun Life (the CDCP administrator) on your behalf. You don't pay the covered portion upfront and chase reimbursement; we handle the paperwork.
Other insurance is typically billed first, with CDCP covering eligible remaining amounts up to the program's coverage limits. We direct-bill both and coordinate the order — you don't have to handle the back-and-forth.
Yes — CDCP covers emergency exams. We strive to see all emergencies the same day. More on emergency dental care.
We follow the ODA Fee Guide for any uninsured work and offer free consultations for implants, dentures, and cosmetic treatments. Financing is available for larger cases. We'll be upfront about what's covered and what isn't before you commit to anything.

About the program generally

Common questions about CDCP itself — eligibility, application, and program mechanics.

Eligibility depends on income, age, residency, and whether you already have dental insurance through other channels. The Government of Canada CDCP page has the current rules. Our eligibility page walks through it in plain language.
Through canada.ca for most groups, with Service Canada handling some senior applications. We walk through the process step by step here, and our team will help you fill it out at your visit if you'd like.
Most online applications get a decision within a few weeks. If additional documentation is requested, it can take longer. Once approved, you receive a Sun Life member card in the mail — bring it to your visit.
Yes — complete and partial dentures are typically covered, with replacement covered every 5 years for most tiers. We make dentures in-house in our digital lab, which speeds up fitting and adjustments. More on what's covered.
In most cases, no — sedation and most dental implants aren't covered by CDCP. They're typically out-of-pocket or covered by separate private insurance. We can split treatment plans so the CDCP-covered portion is billed to the program and any non-covered work has its own pricing.
No — cosmetic procedures like whitening, veneers, and elective cosmetic work aren't CDCP-covered. CDCP focuses on functional dental health. We offer free cosmetic consultations if you'd like to discuss options separately.
Denials usually come with a reason — often documentation, eligibility verification, or a procedure not meeting CDCP criteria. We can help you understand the denial and discuss next steps, including whether to appeal or split the work.
Still have a question?

Just ask — we're happy to walk through it

Book a visit and bring your CDCP details, or call us first to ask about a specific situation. If you'd rather start with the application, mention that when you book and we'll set aside time for it.

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