To find a CDCP dentist near me, check Sun Life's CDCP Provider Search or contact dental offices in your community, then ask each office whether it accepts CDCP clients and bills Sun Life directly. Participation can differ from office to office, so as of 2026 a direct phone call is still the most reliable check.
Key Takeaways
- A CDCP dentist is any oral health provider who accepts Canadian Dental Care Plan clients and bills Sun Life directly for covered services.
- As of 2026, canada.ca points members to local providers, Sun Life's CDCP Provider Search and the Sun Life CDCP Contact Centre at 1-888-888-8110 for help finding a provider.
- Before booking, confirm the office accepts CDCP clients, bills Sun Life directly, and can explain your likely co-payment and any additional charges.
- Bring your member ID, coverage start date, co-payment level and government identification; you do not need to wait for the physical member card.
- Under the CDCP, you should not be asked to pay the full cost upfront and claim it back, because members cannot submit their own claims.
What is a CDCP dentist?
A CDCP dentist is a dentist who accepts patients covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan and sends claims for covered services directly to Sun Life, which administers the plan. The same idea applies to other oral health providers. Canada.ca's after-you-apply page suggests members consider "an independent dental hygienist, a denturist, a dentist and/or a dental specialist," depending on the care they need.
There is no special licence or designation that makes someone a CDCP dentist. According to canada.ca, oral health providers can take part in two ways: by signing up formally through Sun Life, or by submitting claims directly to Sun Life on a claim-by-claim basis. Either way, canada.ca states that by submitting a claim, a provider agrees to bill Sun Life directly under the CDCP billing agreement and to limit out-of-pocket costs for CDCP clients.
That flexibility is useful for patients, but it means a search result is only a starting point. An office's participation can change, and a provider who submits claims claim by claim may still see CDCP clients. As of 2026, canada.ca's guidance is to confirm with the office itself that it accepts CDCP clients and bills Sun Life directly.
What a CDCP dentist does not change
Using a CDCP dentist does not change what the plan covers. Covered services, frequency limits and preauthorization rules come from the plan, not from the individual office. If you want to understand those rules first, read our guide to what the Canadian Dental Care Plan covers.
How to find a CDCP dentist near me
Finding a dentist that accepts the CDCP usually takes a few steps. The order below saves the most time for most people.
Step 1: Confirm your own enrolment
Before you search, check that your coverage is active. Canada.ca's after-you-apply page says your enrolment information includes your CDCP plan number, member ID, benefit coverage start date and co-payment level. Canada.ca states that you can only book your appointment on or after the benefit coverage start date shown in your letter, so check that date before you call.
Step 2: Use Sun Life's CDCP Provider Search
As of 2026, canada.ca says that if you do not already have a provider, you "can contact one in your community or consult Sun Life's CDCP Provider Search," which is linked from the canada.ca after-you-apply page. Treat search results as a starting list, not a final answer. Canada.ca also mentions dental school clinics as a possible option.
Step 3: Call the Sun Life CDCP Contact Centre if you are stuck
If the search does not help, canada.ca suggests calling the Sun Life CDCP Contact Centre at 1-888-888-8110. This is also the number the CDCP Dental Benefits Guide gives providers for confirming coverage, so it is the right place for plan questions, not Service Canada's application line.
Step 4: Call dental offices directly
Phone the offices that suit you on location, hours and the type of care you need. Ask the questions in the next section. A short call now avoids arriving at an appointment and learning that billing does not work the way you expected.
Step 5: Match the provider to the care
Some needs are best met by a particular kind of provider. A family general dentist handles exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, crowns and many other everyday treatments, which is the core of general dentistry. A denturist focuses on dentures. A dental specialist, such as an oral surgeon or periodontist, usually sees patients for specific problems, often after a referral. If you are unsure where to start, a general dentist can examine you and refer you if needed.
| Where to look | What it helps with | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Life CDCP Provider Search | A starting list of participating providers near you | Still confirm participation and billing with the office |
| Sun Life CDCP Contact Centre (1-888-888-8110) | Help finding a provider and plan questions | Cannot book appointments for you |
| Calling the office directly | Confirms current participation, billing and availability | Takes a call to each office |
| Your current dentist | Continuity with someone who knows your history | They may or may not accept CDCP clients; ask |
What to ask a dental office before you book
The goal of the first call is to confirm three things: that the office accepts CDCP clients, that it bills Sun Life directly, and that you understand what you might pay. Canada.ca's after-you-apply page says to make sure your provider "accepts CDCP clients and will bill Sun Life directly for services covered under the plan."
Useful questions for the office:
- Do you currently accept patients with CDCP coverage? Participation can change, so ask even if a friend was seen there before.
- Will you bill Sun Life directly for covered services? Under the CDCP, members cannot submit their own claims, so direct billing is essential.
- Are you accepting new patients, and what is the wait for a first appointment? Availability is a separate question from participation.
- What should I expect to pay at my first visit? Give your co-payment level so the office can explain your likely share.
- Could your fees be higher than the CDCP-established fees? If so, ask how the difference is handled so you are not surprised by an additional charge.
- Which services on a treatment plan would need preauthorization? Crowns, partial dentures and some sedation are examples, as of 2026.
- Will you give me an estimate before any treatment beyond the exam? An estimate lets you decide with full information.
If you have had a checkup or X-rays elsewhere in the last year, mention it. Frequency limits apply per member, not per office, so a repeated service done too soon may not be covered.
For broader tips on choosing a practice, such as location, hours and communication style, see our guide to choosing a dentist in Truro.
What to bring to a CDCP appointment
Canada.ca states that you do not need to wait for Sun Life's welcome package and physical member card before getting care. At your appointment, you can provide your member ID, identification, coverage start date and co-payment level.
| Bring | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| CDCP member card, enrolment letter or member ID | The office uses it to confirm your coverage with Sun Life |
| Coverage start date | Care before this date is not covered |
| Co-payment level | Lets the office estimate your share of each covered service |
| Government identification | Confirms identity for your patient record and coverage |
| Medication list and health history | Needed for safe treatment, especially for extractions or sedation |
| Dates of recent dental visits elsewhere | Helps avoid services that exceed frequency limits |
| Any other dental coverage, including government programs | Allows the office to coordinate plans correctly |
If you are bringing a child or another family member, bring their member information too. Each covered person has their own member details.
How CDCP billing and co-payments work at the office
Understanding the billing flow makes your first CDCP visit much less stressful. Here is how it works, based on what canada.ca publishes as of 2026.
Before treatment: confirming coverage
The CDCP Dental Benefits Guide says a provider needs to confirm a client's coverage before submitting claims, using an electronic estimate, the Sun Life CDCP Contact Centre, or Sun Life's online coverage look-up. For services that require preauthorization, such as crowns or partial dentures, the office sends a request to the plan and waits for a decision before starting that treatment.
Canada.ca's after-you-apply page adds that before your appointment, your provider can submit an estimate to Sun Life to confirm your coverage is active, which services are covered and how much the CDCP will cover. You then decide which services you choose to accept.
At the visit: what you pay
After treatment, the office bills Sun Life for the covered portion. You pay the office for any remaining amount. As of 2026, canada.ca lists these CDCP co-payment levels, applied to the CDCP-established fee:
| Adjusted family net income | Your co-payment (as of 2026) |
|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 0% |
| $70,000 to $79,999 | 40% |
| $80,000 to $89,999 | 60% |
Additional charges
A co-payment is not the only amount you might owe. Canada.ca states that you may pay more if the cost of your care "is more than what the CDCP will reimburse," or if you and your provider agree to services the plan does not cover. That means even a member with a 0% co-payment can have a balance if the office's fee is above the CDCP-established fee. Canada.ca advises asking your provider about any costs that will not be covered before you receive care.
What should not happen
Canada.ca's information for oral health providers is clear: "There is no option for CDCP clients to get a reimbursement from Sun Life. CDCP clients should not be asked to pay the full cost upfront." If an office asks you to pay the whole fee and submit a claim yourself, ask them to explain, because that is not how the Canadian Dental Care Plan is designed to work.
Keeping your coverage active
Coverage runs in benefit periods ending June 30. Canada.ca's renewal page warns that if you miss the renewal deadline, care during the resulting gap will not be covered or reimbursed retroactively. When you book a visit near the end of June, check that your renewal is complete.
Special situations when looking for a CDCP dentist
You need urgent care. If you have a broken tooth or bad toothache, call dental offices and say it is urgent when you ask about CDCP participation. Emergency exams are listed under CDCP diagnostic services, as of 2026. For spreading facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding or a serious facial injury, do not wait for a dental appointment: call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Our guide to what counts as a dental emergency explains the difference.
You are looking for a child. In Nova Scotia, children aged 14 and younger with a valid Nova Scotia health card may be eligible for the provincial Children's Oral Health Program, according to novascotia.ca. Canada.ca says government program coverage does not automatically rule out the CDCP. Ask the office how the programs apply to your child.
You need dentures. Denturists and dentists both provide dentures. As of 2026, immediate dentures, overdentures and partial dentures require preauthorization, so ask the provider how long that step usually takes.
You are nervous about dental visits. Mention it when you call. Nitrous oxide and oral sedation are listed CDCP services, while deeper sedation needs preauthorization. A calm first visit focused on an exam and a plan can make later visits easier.
You have mobility or medical needs. Ask about accessible entrances, parking and appointment length. Bring your full medication list, since some conditions and medicines change how dental treatment is planned.
You already have a dentist. Ask your current office first. Staying with a dentist who knows your history is often simplest, as long as they accept CDCP clients and bill Sun Life directly.
Finding a CDCP dentist in Truro and Nova Scotia
If you are searching for a CDCP dentist in Truro, Bible Hill or elsewhere in Colchester County, the steps are the same as anywhere in Nova Scotia: check the Sun Life search, then call offices directly to confirm participation and billing.
Landmark Dental Care is a family general practice at 125 Queen St in downtown Truro, in a Victorian Queen Anne–style home. We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm, and see patients from Truro, Bible Hill and across Central Nova Scotia. Please call 902-893-2919 before booking so our team can confirm our current CDCP participation, appointment availability and how billing would work for you. Have your member ID, coverage start date and co-payment level ready.
Our CDCP page for Truro patients summarizes eligibility and how to prepare for a visit. If you would rather write than call, you can reach us through our contact page.
Nova Scotians can call 811 at any time for nurse advice. For life-threatening symptoms in the Truro area, call 911 or go to the Emergency Department at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre.
FAQ
How do I find a dentist that accepts CDCP near me?
As of 2026, canada.ca suggests contacting a provider in your community or checking Sun Life's CDCP Provider Search, and calling 1-888-888-8110 if you need help. Whichever route you use, confirm directly with the office that it accepts CDCP clients and bills Sun Life directly.
Do all dentists accept the CDCP?
Not necessarily. Providers can participate by formal sign-up or on a claim-by-claim basis, and each office decides whether it will see CDCP clients. Ask whether the office accepts CDCP clients and bills Sun Life directly before you book.
Can I use the CDCP before my member card arrives?
Yes. Canada.ca states you do not need to wait for the welcome package. Use your Government of Canada letter with your member ID and coverage start date, and book on or after that start date.
Why would I pay something at a CDCP dentist if my co-payment is 0%?
A 0% co-payment covers your share of the CDCP-established fee, as of 2026. You may still owe an additional charge if the office's fee is higher than that fee, or for services the plan does not cover. Ask for an estimate first.
Can I switch to a different CDCP dentist?
Generally, yes, as long as the new office accepts CDCP clients and bills Sun Life directly. Tell the new office about recent exams, X-rays or cleanings elsewhere, because frequency limits follow you, not the office.
Next step
Before your first appointment, see what to know before a CDCP visit in Truro, then call Landmark Dental Care at 902-893-2919 to confirm our current CDCP participation and billing. We are at 125 Queen St, Truro, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.
References
- Government of Canada: Canadian Dental Care Plan – After you apply
- Government of Canada: Canadian Dental Care Plan – Information for oral health professionals
- Government of Canada: Canadian Dental Care Plan – What is covered
- Government of Canada: CDCP Dental Benefits Guide
- Government of Canada: Canadian Dental Care Plan – Renew
- Government of Nova Scotia: Children's Oral Health Program
This article provides general educational information and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for care from a dentist or other qualified health professional.
About this guide
This article was written and reviewed by the Landmark Dental Care Team at Landmark Dental Care, 125 Queen St, Truro, NS B2N 2B4. It is general patient education and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for an examination. If you have pain, swelling or a change in your mouth, call us at 902-893-2919 so a dentist can assess you.