A team member shows a tablet to an older patient at reception for CDCP dentures at White Dove Dental in Milton.
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Does CDCP Cover Dentures? Co-Pays, Approval and Next Steps

November 4, 20268 min readWhite Dove Dental Team

How the Canadian Dental Care Plan applies to dentures: preauthorization, co-payment levels and the steps before treatment.

Does CDCP cover dentures? It can, for eligible patients. Since November 2024, partial dentures are among the services available under the Canadian Dental Care Plan, with approval needed in advance. Your share is set by your income level and by the fees the plan pays. White Dove Dental in Milton accepts CDCP patients and reviews coverage before treatment.

What CDCP Means for Your Dentures

  • Dentures can be part of CDCP care, but some denture services need approval before treatment starts
  • Partial dentures were added in November 2024, along with crowns and higher levels of sedation
  • Your co-payment depends on your adjusted family net income: 0%, 40% or 60% of the CDCP fees
  • CDCP fees may not match the dental office fee, so there can be an extra amount to pay
  • CDCP is for people without other dental coverage; do not drop an existing plan
  • Ask for a written estimate so you know your share before your dentures are made

Getting dentures is a big step, and for many people the first question is not about comfort or looks. It is about who pays. If you have a CDCP letter in hand, you probably want to know how far it goes. Here in Milton, new denture patients at White Dove Dental ask us this almost every week.

This guide explains how CDCP dentures coverage works, what approval involves, how co-payments are calculated, and what to bring to your first visit.

Does CDCP Cover Dentures? The Short Answer

Yes, the Canadian Dental Care Plan can help pay for dentures for people who qualify. According to the Canadian Dental Association, the list of treatments under the CDCP grew on November 1, 2024. Partial dentures were part of that expansion, together with crowns and higher levels of sedation.

Each of these requires preauthorization. That means your dentist sends the treatment plan to the federal plan first, and it must be approved before coverage applies.

For complete (full) dentures, the details depend on your approval and plan limits. Because coverage can differ from one patient to the next, it is worth asking your dental office to confirm what is covered for the exact denture you need before anything is made.

If your question is are dentures covered by CDCP, think of the answer as yes, within limits. Those limits are income-based co-payments, CDCP fee limits and the approval process.

Who Can Use CDCP for Dentures?

The CDCP is a federal program for Canadians who do not have access to a dental plan. Based on the CDA's summary, you must meet all of these criteria:

  • No access to dental coverage through an employer, a pension, a purchased plan or a family member's plan
  • Adjusted family net income under $90,000 per year
  • Canadian residency for tax purposes
  • A tax return filed for the previous year

Our CDCP dentist in Milton page explains how eligibility and applications work, and we can point you to where and how to apply.

How Much Does CDCP Cover for Dentures?

Canadian Dental Care Plan dentures coverage is calculated the same way as other CDCP services. The federal plan pays a share of its own established fee, based on your adjusted family net income:

Adjusted family net incomeCDCP coversYou pay
Less than $70,000100% of the CDCP fee0% of the CDCP fee
$70,000 to $79,99960% of the CDCP fee40% of the CDCP fee
$80,000 to $89,99940% of the CDCP fee60% of the CDCP fee

There is one more piece to understand. The CDA notes that the fees set by the CDCP may not match what a dental office charges. If the cost of treatment is higher than the amount the CDCP reimburses, the difference is paid by the patient. Charges can also apply for any part of treatment the plan does not cover.

That is why a written estimate matters. At White Dove Dental, we give CDCP patients written treatment estimates, a plain breakdown of what the plan pays for and what it does not, and advance notice of any co-payments.

What Preauthorization Means for Your Denture Treatment

Preauthorization is a review that happens before treatment. Your dentist recommends the best option for your mouth, but the final decision rests with Sun Life and/or Health Canada.

What this means in practice:

  • You have an exam first, so your dentist can recommend the right type of denture
  • The treatment plan is submitted for approval
  • You wait for the decision, which the CDA notes can lead to longer wait times
  • Treatment begins once it is approved, with your share explained in advance

Because approval takes time, it helps to start the conversation early. If you are planning extractions before dentures, ask how the timing will work so you are not left waiting longer than needed. In some cases, care is phased or prioritized to work within plan limits.

An older couple reviews paperwork and a calculator at home; CDCP denture guidance from White Dove Dental in Milton.

What to Bring to Your First CDCP Appointment

The CDA explains that care under the CDCP cannot begin until two things are true:

  • You have your CDCP member ID, from the letter the Government of Canada sends after you are approved
  • Your coverage start date has passed

Appointments can only be booked on or after your start date. Bring the letter that shows your member ID, coverage start date and co-payment level. You do not need to wait for a welcome package from Sun Life, as long as you have that letter with you.

Does CDCP Cover Dentures if You Have Private Insurance?

Generally, no. The CDCP is not meant to replace existing dental coverage. According to the CDA:

  • If you have benefits from your job, a pension or a plan you pay for yourself, you do not qualify
  • If you decline coverage offered through your own or your spouse's employer, you are treated as having access to a dental plan
  • People with coverage through a provincial, territorial or federal social program may still be eligible, and the two plans are then coordinated to avoid overlap or gaps

If you already have private dental insurance for dentures, your plan is the place to start. At White Dove Dental, insurance coverage is reviewed when applicable, and costs are discussed before treatment begins.

Which Dentures Might Be Right for You?

Coverage is only part of the decision. The right denture depends on how many natural teeth you have left, the health of your gums and jaw, and your comfort and lifestyle.

At White Dove Dental, we offer:

  • Partials in acrylic, with a metal frame or in a flexible material, when some natural teeth remain
  • Conventional full dentures when all teeth in an upper or lower arch are missing
  • Dentures that snap onto implants (implant-supported) when you want a more secure fit

Each type is recommended based on comfort, stability and your needs. For CDCP patients, services depend on CDCP authorization, so we review which option fits both your mouth and your coverage. You can compare the types on our dentures in Milton page, or read about partial dentures in Milton.

How White Dove Dental Supports CDCP Patients

Our approach to CDCP patients is personalized. Once you are approved, we help by:

  • Explaining which services are covered
  • Reviewing your treatment plan against your CDCP limits
  • Helping you understand any out-of-pocket costs
  • Booking eligible appointments
  • Coordinating phased treatment when needed

We discuss your options openly during your consultation, so you can decide with the full picture in front of you.

Taking Care of Your Dentures Once You Have Them

Whether your dentures are covered fully, partly or not at all, daily care helps them stay comfortable and look natural for longer. Our guide on how to care for dentures walks through cleaning, overnight soaking and storage step by step.

FAQs About CDCP and Dentures

Ready to Find Out What Your Dentures Will Cost With CDCP?

Wondering how much of your new dentures the CDCP will cover? A consultation is the clearest way to find out.

  • CDCP patients welcome, with covered and non-covered services explained clearly
  • Written estimates and advance notice of any co-payment before treatment
  • Partial, flexible, full and implant-supported options recommended for your needs

Book online or visit White Dove Dental at 61 James Snow Parkway North, Unit 2, in Milton, and bring your CDCP letter to talk about dentures in Milton.

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