Canada's federal dental program offers tiered coverage based on income

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) provides varying levels of coverage based on household income and the type of dental procedure required. Designed for residents without access to private or public insurance, the program prioritizes low-to-middle-income families.

Routine services, including examinations, cleanings, X-rays, and simple fillings, are among the most heavily covered services. For households in the lowest income bracket, these routine visits are often covered at 100%. Intermediate income earners typically pay a modest co-payment rather than the full clinical rate.

More complex procedures, such as crowns, root canals, or oral surgeries, are eligible for partial reimbursement. However, the remaining out-of-pocket costs for these treatments are higher in absolute terms. For major interventions, dental clinics can submit a prior estimate to the federal program to determine the exact reimbursement amount and prevent unexpected expenses for patients.