Find a Dentist in Canada (2026)

Estimate your cost before choosing a dentist

Knowing your estimated out-of-pocket cost in advance helps you compare providers and avoid surprise balance bills. Select your province, income tier, and the procedure you need.

Even if a dentist participates in the CDCP, they may bill above the CDCP Dental Benefit Grid. At the under-$70,000 income tier the plan covers 100% of its own fee — but if your dentist charges more, you owe the difference. Ask explicitly: "Do you accept the CDCP fee as payment in full?"

Dental costs by province — choose yours

Dental fees in Canada are set by each province's suggested-fee guide and vary by up to 2–3 times across the country. The table below links to our independent cost analysis for each of the ten provinces, including procedure-level breakdowns and CDCP cross-references.

For a side-by-side comparison of all provinces on a single procedure, see our dental cost by province index.

How to find a CDCP-participating dentist — step by step

Finding a dentist who both participates in the CDCP and accepts assignment billing requires a few deliberate steps. Participation in the plan is voluntary, and not all participating dentists absorb the full balance.

Step 1 — Use the Sun Life CDCP provider search

The CDCP is administered by Sun Life Financial on behalf of the Government of Canada. Sun Life maintains a publicly accessible provider directory at sunlife.ca. Enter your city or postal code and filter by province. The results show registered CDCP providers in your area.

Keep in mind that the directory reflects registered participation, not day-to-day availability. A clinic may be listed but not currently accepting new CDCP patients, or may have reduced CDCP appointment slots.

Step 2 — Call the dental office before booking

Before confirming any appointment, ask the dental office these three questions:

• Are you currently accepting new CDCP patients?
• Do you submit CDCP claims directly (direct billing) or do I pay upfront and get reimbursed?
• Do you accept the CDCP fee as payment in full (assignment billing), or do you balance bill?

Assignment billing means the dentist accepts the CDCP Dental Benefit Grid fee as the total amount due — you owe nothing beyond any co-pay determined by your income tier. Balance billing means the dentist charges above the CDCP rate and you pay the difference.

Step 3 — Verify your CDCP eligibility

Before attending, confirm you are enrolled in the CDCP and that your benefit year is active. You can check your enrollment status through your My Service Canada Account or by calling Sun Life's CDCP line. Bring your CDCP benefit card or be prepared to confirm your information at the clinic.

Step 4 — Confirm pre-authorization requirements before complex treatment

If your dentist recommends a crown, a cast partial denture, or certain other procedures, pre-authorization from Sun Life is required before treatment begins. Skipping this step will result in a denied claim even for otherwise covered procedures. Your dentist's billing coordinator should handle the pre-authorization submission, but confirm this before scheduling. See our CDCP coverage guide for a full list of procedures requiring pre-authorization.

What if you are not eligible for the CDCP?

If your net family income exceeds $90,000, or if you hold a private dental plan that disqualifies you from CDCP eligibility, there are several other routes to affordable dental care in Canada.

Community health centres operate in most provinces and provide dental services on a sliding-scale fee basis. These clinics are funded provincially and serve patients regardless of income or insurance status. Waiting times can be significant.

Dental school clinics at institutions such as the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UBC offer examinations, cleanings, fillings and many restorative procedures at substantially reduced fees. Treatment is provided by supervised dental students. Appointment availability varies and procedures may take longer than a private practice.

Provincial and territorial programs exist in several jurisdictions for children, seniors, and social assistance recipients — independently of the federal CDCP. Contact your provincial Ministry of Health or social services department for current eligibility criteria.

For emergency situations without insurance, see our page on emergency dentist costs in Canada.

Understanding the CDCP before your first appointment

The Canadian Dental Care Plan reimburses on its own Dental Benefit Grids — not on your dentist's actual charge. The income tiers that determine how much the plan pays are based on your net family income (line 23600 of your Notice of Assessment):

• Under $70,000 net family income: the CDCP pays 100% of the CDCP fee.
• $70,000 to $79,999: the plan pays 60%.
• $80,000 to $89,999: the plan pays 40%.
• $90,000 and above: not eligible.

The largest financial gap is implants — the CDCP does not cover dental implants at any income level. For covered procedures, the main risk is balance billing. Ontario and British Columbia dentists are statistically more likely to bill above the CDCP rate because their provincial suggested fees are higher than the CDCP grids. In Atlantic provinces, the gap between CDCP rates and practice fees tends to be smaller.

Frequently asked questions

This page provides pricing and market research information, NOT medical or dental advice. Real Dental Costs is an independent data publisher and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or Sun Life Financial. No clinic addresses or phone numbers are provided — use the official Sun Life CDCP provider search for verified provider listings.