Homer Watson Dental

The Canadian Dental Care Plan is open to Canadian residents who do not have access to private dental insurance, have filed their most recent tax return, and have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000. Health Canada manages the program, and Sun Life administers the benefits on behalf of the federal government. Coverage rolled out in age tiers, and as of 2025 the plan is open to all eligible age groups, including children under 18, adults aged 18 to 64, seniors 65 and older, and people with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate. If you are not sure whether you qualify, the Sun Life customer service line can review your situation before you apply.

You can apply online through your My Service Canada Account at canada.ca/dental, or by phone with Sun Life at 1-833-537-4342. The application asks for your Social Insurance Number, date of birth, home address, and confirmation that you do not have access to private dental coverage through an employer, pension, or family plan. Once your application is approved, Sun Life mails a welcome package with your member card and your official coverage start date. You cannot book a CDCP-covered appointment until that start date has passed, so it helps to apply a few weeks before you plan to come in.

CDCP covers a range of services that support oral health, including diagnostic exams, X-rays, cleanings and preventive care, fillings, extractions, root canal therapy, periodontal treatment for the gums, complete and partial dentures, crowns, and some oral surgery. Sun Life publishes the full list of covered services and frequency limits, and updates it from time to time. The plan does not cover purely cosmetic work such as teeth whitening or veneers placed only to change appearance. Some services also need pre-authorization from Sun Life before treatment can be scheduled, and our team at Homer Watson Dental will let you know if that step applies to your treatment plan.

Your share of the cost depends on your adjusted family net income. Families earning under $70,000 pay 0 percent of the CDCP-established fees for covered services. Families earning between $70,000 and $79,999 pay 40 percent, and families earning between $80,000 and $89,999 pay 60 percent. Sun Life sends payment directly to the dental office for the federal portion. There's one more detail worth knowing. CDCP pays based on its own established fee schedule, which can sit below the Ontario Dental Association suggested fee guide. If a service costs more than the CDCP rate, the difference may be billed to you as a co-payment. We always review these numbers with you before treatment begins so you can make an informed choice.

Yes. You are free to choose any licensed dental provider in Canada who is enrolled with the CDCP or who agrees to bill the plan on a claim-by-claim basis. You are not assigned to a specific clinic, and you can switch providers at any time without notifying Sun Life in advance. If you are already a patient somewhere and want to confirm they participate, ask the front desk whether they submit CDCP claims directly.

CDCP coverage is reviewed every year. Each spring, Sun Life looks at your most recent tax return to confirm you still meet the income and insurance-status requirements. As long as you continue to qualify, your coverage renews automatically and a new period begins on July 1. If your situation changes mid-year, for example you start a new job with a workplace dental plan, you are expected to let Sun Life know. Filing your taxes on time each year is the simplest way to keep your CDCP coverage active without interruption.

Bring your CDCP member card, which lists your client number and coverage start date, along with one piece of government-issued photo ID such as a driver's licence, Ontario photo card, or passport. If the appointment is for a child, bring their CDCP card and a piece of ID that confirms their date of birth. It also helps to bring a short written list of any medications you take, any allergies, and the name of your family doctor. If you've had recent X-rays at another office, ask that office to send them over before your visit so you do not have to repeat imaging unnecessarily.

Many patients in Kitchener start with dentures and later ask their dentist about moving to dental implants. A switch is often possible, though it depends on factors like gum health, jawbone volume, and your overall medical history. Your dentist can review your current situation, take dental imaging if needed, and explain what steps would be involved in moving from a removable appliance to an implant-supported restoration.