CDCP on your dental website: what to say, and what not to promise.
Say plainly whether you see Canadian Dental Care Plan patients, how billing works at your office, and that some patients will owe a co-payment or fees above what the plan pays. Avoid “free dental care” and “fully covered”: what a patient pays depends on their income and on your fees, and promising otherwise is the fastest way to an unhappy patient.
By Krishna, founder of Rank and Cite. Updated October 2026 using Government of Canada and RCDSO pages. Plain-language summary, not legal advice.
CDCP in five lines.
| Who qualifies | Canadian residents with adjusted family net income under $90,000, no access to dental insurance, and a filed tax return. |
|---|---|
| Applications | Open for the 2026 to 2027 benefit period. There is no fee to apply or renew. |
| What the plan pays | Income under $70,000: no co-payment. $70,000 to $79,999: patient pays 40%. $80,000 to $89,999: patient pays 60%. |
| Extra fees | If your fee is higher than what the CDCP reimburses, the patient may owe the difference. |
| Before treatment | The Government of Canada tells patients to ask their provider about any costs the plan will not cover. |
Two ways in, one duty that matters for your website.
Enroll or bill claim by claim. According to the RCDSO, dentists can sign up as participating CDCP providers with Sun Life, or bill Sun Life directly on a claim-by-claim basis without formal enrollment.
Tell patients what is and is not covered. Before providing care, the RCDSO says dentists must let patients know which recommended services the CDCP will and will not cover. Your website is where that expectation starts, so the wording there should match what your front desk says.
The usual advertising rules still apply. No superlatives, no testimonials and no incentives. “Free” is an incentive word, and for many CDCP patients it is not even true.
Lines you can use, and lines to drop.
Use (when true for your clinic)
- “We see patients covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).”
- “We bill Sun Life directly for covered services.”
- “Before any treatment, we explain what the CDCP covers and what you may owe.”
- “Please bring your CDCP member card and photo ID to your first visit.”
- “Not sure if you qualify? Check the Government of Canada’s CDCP page.” (with a link)
Drop
- “Free dental care with CDCP.”
- “CDCP covers everything” or “no out-of-pocket costs.”
- “Government-approved dentist” or anything that implies an endorsement.
- “The best CDCP dentist in Brampton.” (superlative)
- Patient quotes about their CDCP experience. (testimonial)
Put it where patients and AI answers look.
New patients page
A short CDCP section next to your insurance and payment details, with the lines above and a link to the government page.
Your FAQ
“Do you accept CDCP?” is one of the questions patients ask most. Answer it in one or two sentences, in the same words your front desk uses.
Google profile
Mention CDCP in your business description and services. Patients increasingly ask Google and ChatGPT for “a dentist near me who takes CDCP”, and those answers draw on clear, consistent facts.
CDCP and your website: common questions.
Does our clinic have to accept CDCP patients?
Participation is your choice. If you do see CDCP patients, the RCDSO describes two routes: formal enrollment with Sun Life or claim-by-claim billing.
Can we charge more than the CDCP pays?
Yes. The Government of Canada says patients may owe the difference when your fee is higher than what the plan reimburses. Explain this before treatment and say so on your website.
Can we say “free dental care” for CDCP patients?
Avoid it. Many CDCP patients pay a 40% or 60% co-payment, some pay fees above the plan’s rates, and “free” reads as an incentive under RCDSO advertising guidance.
Should we list the CDCP fee grid on our website?
Not necessary. A clear statement of how billing works, plus a promise to explain costs before treatment, answers what patients need to know.
Sources: Government of Canada: Canadian Dental Care Plan; Who can qualify; Coverage and co-payments; RCDSO: CDCP for dentists. See also RCDSO advertising rules, explained.
Does your site say “free” anywhere it shouldn’t?
Our free RCDSO wording check quotes every line that likely conflicts with the guidance, including free offers.