CDCP Dentist London
Dental care in Canada has always come with a price tag that stops a lot of people from getting the help they need. You put it off, the problem gets worse, and what started as a small cavity turns into a root canal or an extraction. The Canadian Dental Care Plan — the CDCP — exists to close that gap. If you qualify, it helps cover the cost of dental treatment so that money stops being the reason you skip the dentist.
Fairmont Dental Centre accepts CDCP patients. Here’s what you need to know before you call.
What Is the CDCP?
The CDCP is a federal government program built for Canadians who have no dental coverage and can’t easily afford to pay out of pocket. It’s not means-tested for the very lowest incomes only — it reaches families earning up to $90,000 a year who’ve been left out of any employer or private plan.
Sun Life administers the plan on behalf of Health Canada. When you come in for treatment, your dentist bills Sun Life directly for covered services. You’re not fronting the money and chasing reimbursement — the billing happens behind the scenes between the office and the plan.
Do You Qualify?
The four things Health Canada looks at:
- You’re a Canadian resident who filed a tax return here last year
- Your adjusted family net income is below $90,000
- You have no access to dental benefits through an employer, pension, or private insurance plan
- Your spouse or common-law partner (if you have one) also filed a Canadian tax return
One question that comes up often: “I get some help from a provincial program — does that disqualify me?” It doesn’t. If you’re already covered under something like Healthy Smiles Ontario, you can still apply for the CDCP. The two plans coordinate so there are no overlaps and no gaps.
What does disqualify you is having access to employer benefits — even if you haven’t used them. Opting out of your workplace dental plan doesn’t make you eligible.
Finding a CDCP Dentist in London
Participation in the CDCP is voluntary for dental offices, so not every practice in London has signed on. Fairmont Dental Centre is a participating CDCP provider.
Our four-doctor team — Dr. Edward Pham, Dr. Alain David, and Dr. Rifaan Lalji — has looked after London patients for more than 35 years. Before any treatment begins, we’ll confirm your coverage and walk you through what the plan covers and what, if anything, you’ll owe. No one should leave a dental appointment with a bill they weren’t expecting.
We’re at 613 Hamilton Road, accessible from Old East Village, Westmount, White Oaks, and most parts of the city without much trouble.
What Does the CDCP Cover?
Coverage spans a wide range of services — from routine care to more involved treatment.
1. Preventive services
include exams, cleanings, and X-rays. These are the visits that keep your mouth healthy and catch problems while they’re still manageable.
2. Restorations
cover fillings when decay or damage needs to be repaired. A cavity caught early is a filling. Left alone, it becomes something bigger.
3. Endodontic treatment
root canals — is covered for teeth that are infected or severely damaged but worth saving.
4. Periodontal care
addresses the gums and bone that support your teeth. Gum disease doesn’t always hurt, but it can do real damage quietly.
5. Crowns and bridges
fall under major restorative care and typically require preauthorization before treatment begins.
6. Oral surgery
covers extractions when a tooth can’t be saved.
7. Dentures
both complete and partial — are covered for patients with missing teeth.
8. Emergency exams
have no frequency limitations under the CDCP. If you’re in pain, you can be seen without worrying about whether an emergency visit is covered.
What Will It Cost You?
Your co-payment — the portion you’re responsible for — depends on your household income:
- Under $70,000: no co-payment
- $70,000 to $79,999: 40% of the CDCP reimbursement rate
- $80,000 to $89,999: 60% of the CDCP reimbursement rate
It’s worth understanding how the billing works. Dentists set their own fees. The CDCP reimburses based on its own fee grid, which may be lower than what the office charges. Any difference between the two is your responsibility on top of any co-payment. Before treatment starts, ask for a cost breakdown — a good dental office gives you those numbers upfront.
How to Apply
Applications go through your My Service Canada Account online, or by phone at 1-833-537-4342. Once approved, Sun Life mails you a welcome package that includes your member card and your coverage start date.
That start date matters. Services you receive before it aren’t covered retroactively, even if your application was already approved. Once you have your card and your start date confirmed, call us to book.
Coverage isn’t automatic year over year. You renew annually to confirm you still meet the eligibility requirements. Missing the renewal window means your coverage lapses and you’ll need to reapply.
Getting the Most Out of Your Coverage
The CDCP covers preventive care for a reason — regular cleanings and checkups are what keep small problems from turning into expensive ones. If cost has been the reason you’ve been putting off coming in, this plan changes that equation. Use the preventive benefits. They exist to keep you out of the chair for anything serious.
If you have questions before your first appointment, call or email us. We’re happy to go over your coverage details in advance.
Our Location
Driving Directions
From the 401: Take the Highbury Ave exit and head north, then turn west onto Hamilton Road. We’re on the south side of Hamilton Road.
From Downtown London: Head east along Dundas Street and turn onto Hamilton Road heading southeast. We’re a straightforward drive from the core.
From Old East Village or Woodfield: We’re just a few minutes along Hamilton Road heading east — no need to get on any major roads.
Contact
613 Hamilton Road, London, ON
Serving patients across London including Old East Village, Woodfield, Westmount, Huron Heights, Hamilton Road Corridor, Argyle, Trafalgar, White Oaks, Lambeth, and surrounding areas.