Explained: CDCP Coverage for Dental Implant-Related Services

The Canadian government launched the Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP) to make dental care more accessible and affordable for Canadians, especially those with low to middle incomes who lack private insurance. The plan aims to remove financial barriers that prevent many people from receiving routine and necessary dental services by providing access to basic services like preventive care.

Many patients are wondering:

Which dental procedures offered by your clinic will actually be covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

At Warm Smiles Dental Centre, we want to help you understand what to expect, especially when it comes to treatments we offer such as extractions, bone or gum grafts, implants, crowns and sedation.

Below is a subset of services we offer that are likely to be partially covered under the CDCP, based on official government guidance.

Always remember that final approval depends on the government’s preauthorization and your income bracket.

A complete list of their coverage can be found at: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/coverage.html

What types of services offered at Warm Smiles Dental Centre may be covered, in part, by CDCP?

Anesthesia or sedation services

These are services to sedate you and control your pain while another service is being performed. CDCP covers:

• Minimal sedation (conscious)

• Moderate sedation (requires preauthorization)

• Deep sedation (requires preauthorization)

• General anesthesia (requires preauthorization)

Restorative services

These services restore teeth when they’re too damaged to be fixed with basic fillings. CDCP covers:

• Posts and post removal

• Repairs to crowns and re-bonding of crowns and posts

• Crowns (requires preauthorization)

• Cores (to support crowns) (requires preauthorization)

• Posts for crown (requires preauthorization)

Oral surgery

CDCP covers:

• Removal of teeth and roots

  
  

Implants

• Dental implants (i.e. the surgical placement of a titanium post in bone, plus abutment and crown) are not mentioned in the government’s list of standard covered services.

Bone and Gum Grafts

• The policy does not explicitly list bone grafts, gum grafts, or regenerative surgeries (e.g. guided tissue regeneration) as standard covered services. Because these procedures are more advanced (and costly), they may or may not be approved. The clinic will send a preapproval request to inquire if CDCP will reimburse all, part, or none of each grafting component; prepare for out-of-pocket payment if needed.

Crowns

Status under CDCP: Covered, with restrictions

• Under the Major services → Restorative services heading, crowns (along with cores, posts and repairs to crowns) are listed as covered services, but they require preauthorization from the CDCP. Because crowns are considered a “major restorative” rather than just “basic,” reimbursement is less specific.

Veneers

Status under CDCP: Not explicitly covered (likely excluded or partially excluded)

• The government document does not mention veneers (porcelain or composite facing) under any of its covered service categories.

• Veneers are often considered cosmetic rather than medically necessary. Because of that, there is a risk that they will not be reimbursed under CDCP — or only partially, if at all.

How much will be covered?

Coverage under CDCP is not 100% guaranteed.

SOURCE: . Government of Canada

Key factors:

• Adjusted family net income determines your share of co-payment:

• If your family income is under CAD $70,000, 100% of eligible services (based on CDCP established fees) are covered.

• If your income is between $70,000 and $79,999, CDCP covers 60% of eligible fees.

• If between $80,000 and $89,999, CDCP covers 40%.

• Even for covered procedures, the CDCP will reimburse only up to its “established fees”; therefore, you will be responsible for the difference.

• Preauthorization is required for many higher-cost procedures, such as crowns.

• If your provider and CDCP agree to services that are not on the covered list, you’ll need to cover them out of pocket.

At Warm Smiles Dental Centre, awareness empowers patients. The CDCP is a big step toward more accessible dental care, but understanding the boundaries is essential. If you’re considering implants, grafts, crowns, or veneers, book your free consultation today and ask us to submit a preauthorization on your behalf to avoid any surprises.