If you’ve heard about the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), you might assume it’s now accepted at every dental clinic across the country.
After all, it’s a national program meant to make dental visits more affordable. But here’s the catch: not every dental office offers it—and that’s totally okay.
At Glen Dental Centre in Coquitlam, we know this can be a bit confusing, especially if you’re trying to make the right decision for your family or for yourself.
So let’s walk through what’s really going on and how it affects your dental care options.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is a (relatively) new government program designed to help Canadians who don’t have private dental insurance. It’s being rolled out in stages and is administered by Sun Life, which handles patient enrollment, eligibility checks, and billing.
The goal? To make regular dental visits more accessible to lower- and middle-income households.
As of June 2025, here’s who can apply:
Adults aged 18 to 64 in three waves:
To be eligible, your household must:
What you’ll pay depends on your income:
Great question. There’s a common belief that since CDCP is a government program, all dentists must accept it. But in reality, participation is completely optional.
Some clinics (like ours!) have chosen to offer CDCP coverage. Others are still waiting or have decided not to take part right now. Here’s why:
The CDCP is a new system, and like most new programs, it has come with a learning curve.
Dentists and their teams have to manage new forms, different billing systems through Sun Life, and unfamiliar claim processes—all of which can take time away from focusing on patient care.
Not every dental office has the time, resources, or inclination to do those things. In some cases, it's just a practical decision.
Under the CDCP (which is a federal, nationwide program), the amount paid back to dentists for procedures can be lower than the rates set at the provincial level.
For some clinics, this means they’d need to absorb or charge patients the difference—which complicates things when people expect (and sometimes hear from people they know) that they’ll only have to pay a certain amount or even nothing at all.
Here in British Columbia, for instance, the CDCP doesn't actually completely cover many of the standard treatment prices set in the BC Dental Fee Guide.
Consider this example:
A patient with 100% coverage under the CDCP visits a dental practice in Coquitlam for teeth cleaning. The BC Dental Fee Guide says the treatment should cost $125, but the CDCP says it should cost $110—and that’s the maximum they’ll reimburse.
So, even though the patient is technically under the CDCP’s “no co-pay” category, they still need to pay $15 out-of-pocket for their dental cleaning.
That's obviously still much better than paying $110 or $125 out of pocket, but when the program promises no-cost care, being surprised with even a small charge can leave people feeling like they've been misled.
Not all services under the CDCP are automatically covered.
For things like crowns, root canals, or dentures, dentists may have to wait for pre-authorization from Sun Life before moving forward. That can delay treatment and add extra steps for patients and staff.
With the complexity mentioned earlier, many dental clinics are now getting pre-approval for all treatments booked under the CDCP to make sure neither they nor their patients are left with a surprise cost if the program refuses to cover the treatment.
Above all, clinics want to make sure they’re not compromising the experience or outcomes for their patients. Until there’s more clarity around how the CDCP processes work long-term, some providers are choosing to hold off on enrolling so they can continue to offer the level of service their patients count on.
None of this means those clinics don’t care—they’re just navigating a new system that’s still evolving.
No need to panic. If your dentist doesn’t offer the CDCP, you may still be able to use other forms of coverage. Most clinics (including ours!) continue to accept:
In short: you still have options. The CDCP is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to accessing dental care.
We’re proud to support patients who qualify for the CDCP.
If you’re covered by the program - or think you might be - we’d be happy to walk you through your options and help you maximize your oral health while minimizing your out-of-pocket expenses.
Our clinic offers:
Whether you’re a parent trying to stay on top of your kids’ checkups, or a senior looking for a stress-free dental experience, we’re here for you.
Give us a call at (604) 552-2241 or book online. We’re happy to check your eligibility, explain how the program works, or help you figure out the best way to use your benefits.
Whatever stage of life you’re in, our Coquitlam dentists are here to keep your smile healthy and bright.
Get in touch with us!
(604) 552-2241
info@glendentalcentre.com
2975 Glen Drive, Coquitlam, BC V3B 2P7
