The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), Explained by a South Surrey Dentist
Updated: 5 hours ago
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program that helps pay for oral health care for eligible Canadian residents who do not have dental insurance. Sun Life runs it on behalf of the Government of Canada, and the dentist bills the plan for covered services, rather than you paying the whole bill and claiming it back.
Hmm. I got my CDCP letter in the mail. Does that mean my dental work is free now? Does the clinic near me even take it? And what happens if I need a crown, or an implant? I hear those questions in the chair most weeks, so let's talk a little bit about it. My name is Dr. Kevin Zhang. This is Meraki Dental in South Surrey, and yes, we accept the CDCP.
The short version
• The CDCP pays toward exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, root canals, gum treatment, extractions and complete dentures.
• Crowns and partial dentures are covered too, but the plan has to approve them first. That is called preauthorization.
• It does not cover implants, bridges, veneers or mouth guards.
• We bill the CDCP directly. On the day you pay your co-payment and anything above the CDCP fee, not the whole bill.
• We submit the preauthorizations for you. That is our paperwork to do, not yours.
Written by Dr. Kevin Zhang, general dentist and co-owner at Meraki Dental in South Surrey, and reviewed with Dr. Vivian Huang. Checked against the Government of Canada's CDCP guidance on 16 September 2026. Coverage rules and income brackets change. The canada.ca links below are always the authoritative version.
Check your own treatment
Before anything else, look yours up. Type a treatment or filter the list, tap it, and it tells you whether the CDCP covers it, whether it needs the plan's approval first, and what we do about it either way.
The three lists I get asked about most. The same information is written out below.
Does Meraki Dental accept the CDCP?
Yes. We see CDCP patients at our South Surrey clinic on King George Blvd, new patients included. Bring your CDCP member information to your first visit and we confirm your coverage with the plan before anything is planned. If you are not sure whether you qualify, the Government of Canada's eligibility page is the place to check, and we are happy to talk it through on the phone first. When you are ready, you can book an appointment online or call us on 604-385-1823.
Do I have to pay upfront and claim it back?
No. We bill the CDCP directly. On the day of your appointment you pay your co-payment, plus anything charged above the CDCP fee for that treatment. You do not pay the whole bill and wait to be reimbursed. The plan settles the covered part with us.
We also submit the preauthorizations for you. When a treatment needs the plan's approval first, a crown or a partial denture for example, our front desk sends the request in. We do that almost every time, and always when you ask us to. It is our paperwork, not yours. What you get from us is the answer once it comes back, and the numbers in writing before anything starts.
If you want to know what that looks like for your own treatment before you commit to anything, call us and we will go through it. There is no obligation in that conversation.
What does the CDCP cover?
The CDCP helps pay a portion of the cost for a wide range of services when your dentist recommends them. Some are covered straight away. Others need preauthorization, which means we send the plan the proposal and it confirms in advance whether it will pay. Covered categories include:
Diagnostic and preventive care: dental exams, including emergency exams, x-rays, cleaning (scaling), fluoride and sealants
Restorative care: fillings, including temporary fillings, and pain control for a diseased tooth
Endodontic care: root canal treatment and procedures to reduce infection and relieve pain
Periodontal care: cleaning under the gumline, treating abscesses and non-surgical gum disease management
Major restorative care: crowns, cores and posts, which need preauthorization
Dentures: complete dentures, repairs, relines and rebases; partial dentures need preauthorization
Oral surgery: removal of teeth and roots
Preauthorization is not a formality. Not every request is approved, and a decision can take a little while to come back. That is the honest reason I would rather see you for an exam early than once something starts to hurt. We send those requests in for you, so the waiting is the only part you have to do. You can still go ahead with treatment the plan declines and settle it directly with us, and we will tell you what that costs in writing before we start.
The plan can also cover oral sedation in specific circumstances, for example where treatment could not be completed without it. Dr. Vivian and I both offer oral sedation, so if the dentist is something you have been avoiding, tell us when you call and we will explain where you stand.
The full official list is maintained by the Government of Canada: what the CDCP covers.
Does the CDCP cover dental implants?
No. Implants and anything that sits on an implant, so an implant-supported crown or an implant-supported denture, are excluded from the CDCP. Bone grafts and bridges are on the same exclusions list. The Government of Canada describes these as procedures that are always outside the plan's scope.
Implants and all implant-related procedures are exclusions under the CDCP.
Source: Government of Canada, CDCP Dental Benefits Guide, Appendix E.
I place implants at Meraki, so I will say this plainly. An implant is sometimes the best answer for a missing tooth, and sometimes it is not. A complete denture is covered by the plan, and a partial denture is covered with preauthorization. If you are missing teeth, come in and let's have a chat about both routes before you decide. One of them attracts CDCP coverage and the other does not, and that is part of the decision, not a footnote to it. You can read more about how we approach dental implants in South Surrey on our implants page.
Not sure whether your treatment is on the covered list?
What else does the CDCP not cover?
Veneers, teeth whitening and cosmetic treatment generally, night guards and mouth guards, bridges, and inlays or onlays all fall outside the plan. Orthodontics is not available under the CDCP at the moment. If you are thinking about something in this category, ask for a written treatment plan first so you know exactly where you stand. We do that for everyone, CDCP or not.
The whole thing in one table, if you want to scan it or send it to someone:
Treatment | Under the CDCP | Worth knowing |
Exams and x-rays | Covered | Up to three exams in any 12 months. Emergency exams have no limit. |
Cleaning (scaling) and fluoride | Covered | Frequency limits apply. Beyond them needs preauthorization. |
Fillings | Covered | Includes temporary fillings. |
Root canal treatment | Covered | Re-treating an old root canal needs preauthorization. |
Gum disease treatment | Covered | Non-surgical care and cleaning under the gumline. |
Extractions | Covered | Removal of teeth and roots. |
Complete dentures | Covered | Partial dentures need preauthorization. |
Crowns, cores and posts | With preauthorization | The plan approves first. A crown on an implant is excluded. |
Oral sedation | In specific cases | For example where treatment could not be completed without it. |
Dental implants | Not covered | Includes implant crowns, implant dentures and bone grafts. |
Bridges | Not covered | On the plan's exclusions list. |
Veneers and teeth whitening | Not covered | Cosmetic treatment is excluded. |
Night guards and mouth guards | Not covered | Appliances are excluded. |
Braces and aligners | Not available | Orthodontics is not offered under the CDCP at the moment. |
If you would rather look up one treatment than read the whole table, the coverage checker near the top of this page does exactly that.
How much of the cost does the CDCP cover?
A portion, at the plan's own fee schedule. Depending on your adjusted family net income you may have a co-payment, which is the share of the CDCP fee you pay directly to the clinic. You may also pay something extra where a clinic's fee is higher than the CDCP fee, or where you and your dentist agree to a service the plan does not cover.
The income brackets and percentages are set by the federal government and change over time, so rather than copy them here, check the current figures on the official CDCP coverage page, which is always the authoritative source.
Under the CDCP you should not be asked to pay the full cost upfront, and at Meraki you are not. We bill the plan directly, so on the day you pay your co-payment and any additional charges that apply to your treatment. Ask for those figures in writing before treatment starts. Any clinic should give them to you, and we will.
We can check your CDCP coverage before you commit to anything.
Is anyone in South Surrey actually using the CDCP?
Yes, a lot of people. Health Canada publishes CDCP figures every month, and the British Columbia numbers answer the question most people have before they book: is anyone near me taking this?
As of 31 July 2026, 578,984 British Columbians are enrolled for the 2026 to 2027 benefit period, and 4,385 oral health providers in the province take the plan, 3,953 of them dentists and dental specialists. Nationally, 7.4 million people have enrolled since the plan launched and 4.7 million have used the coverage at least once (Government of Canada CDCP statistics).
Enrolment and take-up in British Columbia, from the Health Canada figures published monthly.
One of those numbers is easy to misread, so it is worth saying plainly. In the current period, 63,705 British Columbians have used their coverage so far, which looks small against 578,984 enrolled. But the 2026 to 2027 period only opened in April, so that is a few months of claims, not a year. Across the full 2025 to 2026 period, 527,846 of 822,484 enrolled British Columbians used their coverage, about two in three. Take-up is healthier than people assume.
What to bring to your first CDCP visit at Meraki Dental
Bring your CDCP member information and, if you have one, a treatment plan from another clinic. A complete exam and x-rays are a covered diagnostic service, which makes a New Patient Exam and Cleaning the sensible first appointment, and you can book that one online in about a minute. It tells us what you actually need before anyone talks about a treatment plan. A few practical things people ask us about:
Three dentists: Dr. Vivian Huang, Dr. Rupi Dhami and me, Dr. Kevin Zhang. Between us we cover everything from a first check-up to implants and wisdom teeth.
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm, which puts Saturday on the table if weekdays are hard.
Free parking on site and on the street, and the clinic is wheelchair accessible.
Mandarin, Cantonese or Punjabi at the chair, depending on the day. The table below says who is in when.
2940 King George Blvd, Unit 100, Surrey, BC V4P 0E4, in South Surrey, a few minutes from White Rock.
If you would rather see the whole visit before you book it, step through it here.
Reception at Meraki Dental on King George Blvd. Say hello to Jasper if he is in.
Which dentist will I see, and what languages do you speak?
Three dentists share the week between Tuesday and Saturday, and language is not an afterthought here. If reading the English paperwork is the harder part of the appointment, ask for the day that suits you when you call and we will book you with the right person.
Who | When they are in | Languages |
Dr. Vivian Huang, dentist | Tuesday and Thursday | English, Mandarin |
Dr. Kevin Zhang, dentist | Wednesday and Saturday | English, Mandarin |
Dr. Rupi Dhami, dentist | Friday and Saturday | English, Punjabi |
Jessica, registered dental hygienist | Every day we are open | English, Mandarin, Cantonese |
Lily, certified dental assistant | Works alongside all of our dentists | English, Mandarin |
Ask for a particular dentist or a particular language when you book and we will arrange it. Our online booking page lets you pick the day that works, and if you are not sure who to ask for, describe what is bothering you in the notes or on the phone and the front desk will put you with the right person.
What has surprised me since the CDCP started
Honestly? How much the plan was needed, and how much dental work was sitting out there untreated. You know it in the abstract. It is a different thing when the people walk through the door. We have seen patients who had not been able to see a dentist in years, not because they did not care about their teeth, but because the money went to rent and groceries and this was the thing that waited. The CDCP is the first realistic chance a lot of them have had, and the need that came in with them was bigger than I expected.
So if that is you, I want to say the next part clearly.
Has it been a while since your last visit?
That is completely fine, and you would not be the first. There is no lecture waiting for you here. Nobody is going to make you feel bad about the gap. Your appointment is about what you need now, not what you missed.
If the dentist makes you anxious, tell us when you call. Dr. Vivian and I both offer oral sedation, a medication you take before the appointment to help you relax through treatment. And Jasper, the small dog who comes to work with Dr. Vivian, has talked more nervous patients down than any of us. Kind, caring and personable is what people tend to say about this team in our Google reviews, and we would rather earn that on your first visit than rush you through it.
Jasper. Therapist, captain of morale, part-time security guard.
Nervous about coming in? Tell us that when you call.
Booking online is fine too. You can tell us when you get here.
Frequently asked questions
These are the ones the front desk hears most. If yours is not here, just ask. We are happy to answer coverage questions over the phone before you book anything.
Do I need to pay upfront and claim the money back?
No. We bill the Canadian Dental Care Plan directly, so on the day you pay only your co-payment and anything charged above the CDCP fee. You do not pay the whole bill and claim it back. We also submit the preauthorizations for you when a treatment needs approval first. Call 604-385-1823 and we will walk through your own numbers before you commit to anything.
Which days is each dentist at Meraki Dental, and what languages do you speak?
Dr. Vivian Huang is in Tuesday and Thursday, Dr. Kevin Zhang Wednesday and Saturday, and Dr. Rupi Dhami Friday and Saturday. Between them you can be seen in English, Mandarin or Punjabi. Jessica, our hygienist, is here every day we are open and speaks Mandarin and Cantonese. Ask for the day or the language you want when you call and we will book it.
Is there a way to check what the CDCP covers for my treatment?
Yes. There is a coverage checker near the top of this page. Type a treatment, or filter by covered, needs approval, and not covered, and it tells you where you stand plus what we would do about it. It follows the Government of Canada's current CDCP guidance. If your treatment is not listed, call 604-385-1823 and we will check it with you.
Does the CDCP cover a cleaning?
Yes. Scaling is a covered preventive service, so a routine cleaning is covered. The plan sets frequency limits, and cleanings beyond those limits need preauthorization first. If you are not sure where you sit against the limits, phone us and we will check it with you before you book anything.
Does the CDCP cover root canals?
Yes. Root canal treatment is a covered endodontic service. Re-treating a root canal that was completed before needs preauthorization. If you are in pain right now, do not wait on paperwork before calling us. An emergency exam is a covered service, and we keep time for them Tuesday to Saturday.
I was told I need a crown. Is that covered?
Crowns are covered as a major restorative service, but they need preauthorization, so the plan approves it before treatment starts. We send that request in for you. A crown on an implant is excluded, and so is a bridge. If you already have a treatment plan from another clinic, bring it in and we will go through it with you. A second opinion costs you nothing but the appointment.
Does the Canadian Dental Care Plan cover implants?
No. Dental implants and implant-supported crowns or dentures are excluded from the CDCP. That does not always make an implant the wrong choice, and it does not make it your only one either. A complete denture is covered, and a partial denture is covered with preauthorization. Come in and we will talk through both before you decide.
Can I book a CDCP appointment at Meraki Dental online?
Yes. Book a New Patient Exam and Cleaning through our online booking page, or call 604-385-1823 and mention that you are covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Bring your CDCP member information to the visit so we can confirm your coverage before any treatment is planned. We are at 2940 King George Blvd, Unit 100 in South Surrey.
Book a CDCP-covered exam in South Surrey
Bring your CDCP member information to your first visit. A complete exam and x-rays are a covered diagnostic service, so an exam is the sensible place to start. It tells you what you actually need before anyone commits to a treatment plan. Please come in and let's have a chat.
Dr. Kevin Zhang and Dr. Vivian Huang. We're a fun and casual bunch. We do take our work very seriously, though.
Or call 604-385-1823. Meraki Dental, 2940 King George Blvd, Unit 100, Surrey, BC V4P 0E4. Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.
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