Gum Graft Cost and Recovery: What to Expect in Oakville
Learn what affects gum graft cost, how the procedure works and what gum graft recovery looks like week by week, from our periodontal team in Oakville.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program that helps cover dental care for Canadian residents who do not have access to dental insurance and have an adjusted family net income under $90,000. Depending on income, the plan covers all or part of the CDCP fee, with a co-payment for some income levels. You apply through the Government of Canada, and details should always be confirmed on Canada.ca.
The CDCP was created by the federal government to make dental care more affordable for people who do not have dental benefits through work, a pension, a spouse’s plan or a private policy. It is administered federally, separate from provincial programs such as Healthy Smiles Ontario.
The plan pays dental offices according to a set CDCP fee schedule for covered services. Depending on your family income, you may pay nothing toward that fee, or you may pay a portion of it. Rules and covered services can change, so we encourage every patient to check the current information on the Government of Canada CDCP page before booking treatment.
In general terms, you may be eligible if you meet all of the following conditions:
Eligibility can depend on details that are hard to judge on your own, such as whether a particular benefit counts as dental insurance. If you are unsure, the Canada.ca pages explain the criteria and how to check.
Applications are handled by the federal government, not by your dental office. The general steps are:
Your coverage generally starts from a date set by the program, not from the day you apply. Do not assume care received before your coverage starts will be paid.
The CDCP uses co-payments based on adjusted family net income. A co-payment is the percentage of the CDCP fee that you pay yourself. Based on the published structure:
The co-payment is calculated on the CDCP fee for a service. If a dental office’s usual fee is higher than the CDCP fee, you may be asked to pay the difference, even if you are in the no co-payment group. This is why it helps to ask about costs before treatment begins.
Imagine a covered service has a CDCP fee of $100. A member in the no co-payment group would generally pay nothing toward that $100. A member in the 40% group would pay $40, and a member in the 60% group would pay $60, with the plan paying the rest. If the office’s usual fee for that service were higher than $100, the member could also be asked to pay the difference. These figures are only an illustration of how the percentages work, not actual fees.
For anything beyond a routine check-up, ask for an estimate that shows the total fee, the amount expected from the CDCP, your co-payment and any additional charge. This makes it easier to plan and avoids surprises.
The CDCP covers a range of services needed to keep the mouth healthy. Coverage details, limits and frequency rules are set by the program, so check the official CDCP coverage page for the current list. In general, covered categories have included:
Some services require approval from the plan before treatment, and some may not be covered at all. These often include more complex or costly treatments. Your dental office can submit a request for pre-authorization when needed. Cosmetic treatments, such as teeth whitening, are generally not covered by public dental programs.
Because the list of covered services, frequency limits and pre-authorization rules can change, rely on the Canada.ca coverage page for the current details rather than any general summary, including this one.
Each dental office decides how it works with the CDCP. Before booking, it is reasonable to ask:
It also helps to keep track of your own coverage details, such as your co-payment level and the date your coverage started, so you can share them with the office.
Bring your member card or number, a list of your medications and any recent dental records you have. If you are a new patient, your first appointment will usually include an exam and any X-rays needed to plan care.
At Shore Side Dentistry, please call our office to ask how we can help with your coverage. Our front desk team can talk through your situation and explain what to expect.
The CDCP is not the only option. Depending on age and income, Ontario residents may also qualify for provincial programs. Check eligibility for each one directly.
Healthy Smiles Ontario provides free dental services for children and youth 17 and under from eligible low-income households. It includes preventive and treatment services.
The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program provides dental care for eligible low-income seniors aged 65 and older.
Halton Region Public Health provides information about these programs for residents of Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills. If you think you or a family member may qualify, contact the program or Halton Region to confirm eligibility and how to enrol.
Shore Side Dentistry is on Lakeshore Road East in downtown Oakville, and we have been serving local families since 1990. We see patients from Old Oakville, Bronte Village and Clearview, and from across Halton Region. Our weekday appointments start at 7 a.m., which can help if you are fitting dental care around work or family.
Whether you have CDCP coverage, a provincial program, private insurance or no coverage at all, regular check-ups and cleanings are one of the simplest ways to catch problems early. Our preventive dentistry page explains what a routine visit includes.
Generally, Canadian residents who do not have access to dental insurance, have an adjusted family net income under $90,000 and have filed their previous year’s taxes. Specific criteria and any changes are published on Canada.ca, so check there before applying.
It depends on income. Families with adjusted net income under $70,000 have no co-payment, while higher income groups pay 40% or 60% of the CDCP fee. You may also pay the difference if an office’s fee is higher than the CDCP fee.
You apply through the Government of Canada, not through your dentist. Canada.ca explains the current application methods and what information you will need. Once approved, you receive member details to bring to your appointments.
Removable dentures and root canal treatment have been among the general categories of covered services, though some services may need pre-authorization and limits may apply. Check the Canada.ca coverage page for the current list.
Generally no. The CDCP is for people who do not have access to dental insurance. If you have access to a plan through an employer, pension or family member, you are usually not eligible.
Have questions about your coverage or ready for a check-up? Book a visit or call 905-842-2364, and our team will help you understand your options.
Please note: This article is general information to help you understand common dental topics. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for an exam. Every mouth is different, so please book a visit or call 905-842-2364 so one of our dentists can look at your situation and talk through your options.
Care for the whole family, from young children to grandparents.
Cleanings, fluoride, sealants and habits that help prevent problems.
Regular checkups to catch problems early, when they are easier to treat.
Shore Side Dentistry has cared for Oakville families since 1990. Our four dentists, including a certified specialist in periodontics, work together in one office on Lakeshore Road East.
Our office at 345 Lakeshore Rd E #401 in downtown Oakville welcomes patients from across Halton, including Old Oakville, Glen Abbey, River Oaks, Joshua Creek and nearby Mississauga.
Our home neighbourhood in downtown Oakville, steps from Lakeshore Road shops and the waterfront.
A short drive along Lakeshore Road for families in Bronte and west Oakville.
An easy trip along the QEW or Lakeshore Road for patients coming from Burlington.
A straight drive south on Trafalgar Road for families in Milton.
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