The Canadian Dental Care Plan in South Surrey: What It Covers and How to Use It

If you have been putting off dental care because of cost, there is a good chance you now have coverage you did not have a few years ago. The Canadian Dental Care Plan, or CDCP, is a federal program that helps cover the cost of oral health care for eligible Canadian residents, and as of 2026 it is open to applicants of all ages rather than being limited to specific groups.

The Dental Room in South Surrey accepts the Canadian Dental Care Plan. If you have been approved, or you think you might qualify, here is a clear explanation of how the plan works and what to expect when you book.

Do You Qualify for the CDCP?

According to the Government of Canada, you must meet all four of the following requirements to apply:

You do not have access to private dental insurance or coverage. This includes coverage through your work or pension plan, a family member’s plan, a professional or student organization, or a policy purchased privately. You are considered to have access even if you never use it or chose not to enrol.
You have filed your tax return in Canada for the previous year. Your spouse or common-law partner must have filed as well, if applicable.
Your adjusted family net income is less than $90,000.
You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes.

One useful detail many people miss: if you receive dental coverage through a provincial, territorial, or federal government social program, you may still qualify for the CDCP. The plans can coordinate so there is no duplication.

If you are unsure whether you have access to workplace coverage, check box 45 on your T4 slip, or box 015 on your T4A if you receive a pension. A 1 in that box means you do not have access to dental coverage through that plan.

What the Plan Covers

The CDCP helps pay for a broad range of oral health services when they are recommended by your oral health provider. Covered services include:

Diagnostic and preventive care, including complete, routine, specific, and emergency exams, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride applications, and sealants.
Basic restorative care, such as permanent and temporary fillings and pain control for diseased teeth.
Endodontic treatment, including root canals and procedures to reduce infection and relieve pain.
Periodontal care, including cleaning under the gumline, treating abscesses, and non-surgical gum disease management.
Major restorative work, including crowns, cores, and posts, though these require preauthorization.
Dentures, including complete dentures, repairs, relines, and rebases, with partial and immediate dentures requiring preauthorization.
Oral surgery, including removal of teeth and roots.
Anesthesia and sedation, including nitrous oxide and oral sedation, with deeper sedation requiring preauthorization.

It is worth knowing what is not included. Orthodontic services are not available under the CDCP yet. The government has indicated a specific range of orthodontic services will be added in the future, at a date still to be determined. So if you are considering Invisalign or other orthodontic treatment, that is currently a separate conversation from your CDCP coverage.

Some services, and any treatment beyond the plan’s frequency limits, require preauthorization. That means your provider submits the recommended treatment and the CDCP confirms in advance whether it will be covered. Not every request is approved, and you can still choose to proceed and pay directly if you want treatment the plan does not cover.

How Much You Will Pay

The CDCP covers a percentage of its established fees based on your adjusted family net income:

Under $70,000: the plan covers 100 percent of eligible service costs at CDCP established fees.
Between $70,000 and $79,999: the plan covers 60 percent, and you cover the remaining 40 percent.
Between $80,000 and $89,999: the plan covers 40 percent, and you cover the remaining 60 percent.

There is an important nuance here that is worth understanding before your appointment. The CDCP has its own established fee schedule, and those fees are not always the same as what a clinic charges. That means you may have additional charges beyond any co-payment if the cost of a service is higher than what the plan reimburses, or if you and your dentist agree to treatment the plan does not cover.

This is not a reason to avoid using the plan. It is simply a reason to ask questions upfront. The Government of Canada specifically advises patients to ask their provider about any costs that will not be covered before accepting treatment, so you know exactly what you will owe. At The Dental Room, the team will walk you through what is covered and what is not before any treatment begins, so there are no surprises when you check out.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2026 to 2027 benefit period are open, and all age groups can now apply at the same time. You can apply online through your My Service Canada Account or at canada.ca/dental. If you cannot apply online, you can call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342.

Once approved, you will receive confirmation of your coverage and a start date. Only services received on or after your coverage start date are eligible, so it is worth applying sooner rather than later if you think you qualify.

Coverage also needs to be renewed each year. If you are already a member, you confirm annually that you still meet the eligibility requirements, particularly that you have not gained access to private dental insurance.

Booking Your Appointment at The Dental Room

If you have been approved for the CDCP, simply let the team know when you book so your visit can be processed under the plan. If it has been years since your last dental visit, that is more common than you might think, and it is nothing to feel awkward about.

Many people coming to the CDCP are returning to dental care after a long gap, sometimes because cost made it impossible. That experience is exactly why the environment at The Dental Room matters. Patients consistently describe the clinic as calm, modern, and welcoming rather than clinical, and both Dr. Kamal Sekhon and Dr. Imaan Bassi are known for a gentle, judgment-free approach. Dr. Bassi has spoken about her own experience with dental anxiety, which shapes how she treats every nervous patient who sits in her chair.

The clinic also offers extended hours that make appointments easier to fit around work, including Tuesday evenings until 7 pm and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm.

Serving South Surrey, White Rock, and Ocean Park

The Dental Room is located at 2388 156th Street in South Surrey, welcoming patients from White Rock, Ocean Park, and the surrounding communities. Whether you are using the CDCP for a first cleaning in years or continuing care you have already started, the team is currently accepting new patients.

For full details on eligibility, covered services, and how to apply, visit canada.ca/dental. Program details can change, so it is always worth confirming current information directly with the plan.

Book your appointment at The Dental Room. Call 604-265-5222 or visit dentalroombc.com.