Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) in Mississauga: 2026 Eligibility & Coverage Guide

Looking for a dentist in Mississauga who accepts the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)? Eglinton Oak Dental welcomes CDCP patients. The CDCP is one of the biggest changes to dental access in Canada in decades, and this complete 2026 guide explains who qualifies, what’s covered and what isn’t, exactly what you’ll pay, how to apply step by step, and how to use your benefits at our Mississauga clinic. Questions? Call 905-607-1112.

What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program that helps eligible Canadian residents pay for dental care. It’s designed to make dentistry affordable for families and individuals who don’t have access to private dental insurance. The plan is administered by Sun Life on behalf of the Government of Canada, and it has expanded in stages to cover qualifying residents of all ages. You can read the official details on the Government of Canada CDCP page.

Who qualifies for the CDCP in 2026?

To be eligible, you generally need to meet all of the following criteria:

• You do not have access to private dental insurance (including through work, a family member, or a pension)
• You filed your most recent tax return
• Your adjusted family net income is under $90,000
• You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes

Having a health spending account or buying your own insurance may affect eligibility, so it’s worth reviewing the rules carefully. Because program criteria can change, always confirm the current requirements on Canada.ca before you apply. You must also re-confirm your eligibility each year when you renew.

What does the CDCP cover?

The plan covers a wide range of essential dental services, including:

• Preventive care — cleanings, exams, scaling, fluoride, and sealants
• Diagnostic services — dental exams and X-rays
• Restorative care — fillings and crowns to repair damaged teeth
• Endodontic care — root canal treatment
• Removable prosthodontics — complete and partial dentures
• Oral surgery — extractions, including some wisdom teeth

Some services require pre-authorization, meaning approval is needed before treatment. Our team will check this for you so there are no surprises.

What is NOT covered (or has limits)?

The CDCP focuses on essential, medically necessary care. Purely cosmetic treatments — like teeth whitening or veneers — generally aren’t covered. Some services have frequency limits (for example, how often cleanings are covered), and certain treatments need pre-authorization. The plan also pays based on established fee amounts, which may differ slightly from a clinic’s usual fee, so a small additional charge can sometimes apply. We’ll always explain any costs clearly before treatment begins.

How much will you pay? (Co-payment by income)

Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your adjusted family net income:

• Under $70,000: no co-payment — covered services are provided at no cost to you
• $70,000–$79,999: you pay up to 40% of the cost
• $80,000–$89,999: you pay up to 60% of the cost

The percentage applies to the CDCP-established fee for each covered service. We’ll calculate your expected co-payment in advance so you know what to budget.

CDCP vs private dental insurance

If you have private insurance through work, you generally won’t qualify for the CDCP — the plan is meant for those without other coverage. Private plans often have annual maximums and may cover a higher percentage of major work, while the CDCP focuses on essential care with income-based co-pays. If you’re unsure which applies to you, bring your details to your visit and we’ll help you understand your options.

How to apply for the CDCP

1. Confirm you meet the eligibility criteria above.
2. Apply online or by phone through the Government of Canada application page.
3. Once approved, Sun Life will send you a welcome package with your coverage start date and member details.
4. Book with a dentist who accepts the CDCP — like Eglinton Oak Dental in Mississauga — on or after your coverage start date.
5. Renew each year to keep your coverage active.

Using your CDCP benefits in Mississauga

At Eglinton Oak Dental, we welcome patients with the Canadian Dental Care Plan and make the process simple. Bring your Sun Life member details to your appointment. Our team will verify your coverage, handle any required pre-authorizations, plan your treatment, and explain any co-payment before we begin — so there are never surprises. New to us? See our new patients page or learn more on our Canadian Dental Care Plan page.

What to bring to your appointment

• Your CDCP/Sun Life member or policy number
• A piece of identification
• A list of any medications and health conditions
• Any questions about your coverage or treatment plan

Ready to book? Request an appointment or call 905-607-1112.

Common CDCP mistakes to avoid

A few simple missteps can delay or reduce your coverage. Avoid them:

• Not filing your taxes. Eligibility is based on your tax return — if you haven’t filed, you can’t be assessed.
• Booking before your coverage start date. Treatment is only covered from the date Sun Life sets, so confirm it first.
• Assuming everything is covered. Some services need pre-authorization and cosmetic work isn’t included.
• Forgetting to renew. Coverage must be renewed each year, with eligibility re-confirmed.
• Not mentioning other insurance. Access to private insurance affects eligibility, so be accurate on your application.

The CDCP for seniors

The plan has been a major help for seniors, many of whom lost dental coverage after retirement. It supports essential care like exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, and dentures — the treatments older adults most often need. Good oral health is closely tied to overall health, nutrition, and quality of life, so we encourage eligible seniors to use their coverage for regular preventive visits, not just when something hurts.

The CDCP for children and families

Eligible families can use the CDCP to keep children’s teeth healthy from an early age with checkups, cleanings, fluoride, and sealants — building habits that prevent costly problems later. Booking the whole family’s preventive visits together saves time and keeps everyone on track. See our kids dentistry services for gentle, child-friendly care.

Your first CDCP visit, step by step

Here’s what to expect once you’re approved: bring your Sun Life member details and ID. We verify your coverage, complete an exam and any needed X-rays, and build a treatment plan. If any service needs pre-authorization, we submit it and wait for approval before proceeding. We then explain exactly what’s covered and what your co-payment (if any) will be, so you can decide with full information. There are never surprise charges.

Renewing and keeping your coverage

The CDCP isn’t “set and forget.” Each year you’ll need to renew and re-confirm that you still meet the eligibility criteria, including filing your taxes and not having access to private dental insurance. Watch for renewal notices and act promptly so there’s no gap in your coverage. If your situation changes — a new job with benefits, for example — your eligibility may change too, and we’ll help you understand your options.

How the CDCP is changing dental access in Canada

For decades, millions of Canadians went without dental care simply because they couldn’t afford it and had no insurance. The Canadian Dental Care Plan is the largest expansion of dental coverage in the country’s history, and its phased rollout now reaches eligible residents of all ages. For families in Mississauga, that means routine cleanings, fillings, and dentures are within reach — and problems can be treated early instead of escalating into painful, expensive emergencies. The result is not just healthier smiles, but better overall health, since oral health is linked to heart health, diabetes management, and nutrition.

Covered services patients often overlook

Many people assume the CDCP only covers a basic cleaning, but the plan is broader than that. Depending on your eligibility and any required pre-authorization, it can help with diagnostic X-rays, scaling for gum health, fillings, root canal treatment, complete and partial dentures, and extractions. If you’ve been putting off needed work because of cost, it’s worth booking an exam so we can tell you exactly what your coverage includes for your specific situation.

Getting the most from your CDCP coverage

To make the most of the plan, treat it like any valuable benefit: use it for regular preventive visits rather than waiting for pain, complete recommended treatment in a timely way, and keep your eligibility current by filing taxes and renewing each year. Our team will help you sequence treatment, handle pre-authorizations, and plan around any co-payment so you receive the full value of your coverage without stress or surprises.

Why choose Eglinton Oak Dental as your CDCP provider

We’re proud to welcome CDCP patients and to make the experience simple and respectful. You’ll get clear explanations, honest recommendations, and care delivered in English or Urdu so nothing is lost in translation. From your first exam to ongoing checkups, we treat every patient — regardless of how they pay — with the same gentle, high-quality care. Book your appointment or call 905-607-1112 to get started.

Frequently asked questions