Canadian Dental Care Plan expands coverage for children and seniors

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has expanded its eligibility to include various age groups, ranging from children to seniors. While the federal program covers preventive and basic restorative services—such as cleanings, X-rays, fillings, and extractions—it is primarily targeted at lower-income households and those without existing dental benefits.

To utilize the program, patients must find participating dental clinics. Participation is voluntary; dentists can register through providers like Sun Life or submit claims on a case-by-case basis. Some clinics, such as Oralvie, explicitly state their participation and do not charge patients the difference between the covered amount and their standard rates.

Families can search for participating providers using the Sun Life search tool on the Government of Canada website. For children, coverage may be supplemented by private insurance from providers like Manulife, Blue Cross, or Canada Life to cover services not included in government plans, such as orthodontics.