Does the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) Cover Dental Implants? What's Covered, What Isn't, and Your Options in Guelph

The short answer: No. The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) doesn't cover dental implants. That includes the implant post, the surgery and the crown on top. The CDCP can cover many of the steps that come before an implant, such as your exam, X-rays, tooth removal and gum treatment. It also covers dentures as a lower-cost way to replace missing teeth.

If you're one of the roughly 4 million Canadians who used the CDCP last year, you've probably found the plan helpful. You may also have found it confusing. In October 2026, the Canadian Dental Association's first full review of the plan named patient confusion about coverage as one of its biggest problems.

This guide spells out what the CDCP covers, what it doesn't, and what to do if you're missing a tooth and wondering about implants. At Westwood & Starwood Dental, we accept the CDCP at both Guelph locations. We'll always tell you what's covered, and what isn't, before treatment starts.

Who qualifies for the CDCP?

To be eligible for the CDCP, you must meet all four of these requirements:

• You have no access to private dental coverage. That includes coverage through work, a pension, a family member's plan or a health spending account.

• You (and your spouse or partner) filed a tax return for last year.

• Your adjusted family net income is under $90,000.

• You're a Canadian resident for tax purposes.

Not sure whether you qualify? Our team can help you check eligibility and apply.

Will I pay anything with the CDCP (does CDCP cover dental implants) ?

Possibly. What you pay depends on your adjusted family net income:

How the cost of a covered service is split under the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Source: Canada.ca.

You may also see a charge if a dental office's fee is higher than the CDCP's set fee, or if you choose a service the plan doesn't cover. We'll walk you through any out-of-pocket cost before you agree to treatment, so there are no surprises. For more on applying and co-pays, read our CDCP 2026–27 guide: who qualifies, how to apply and what you'll pay.

What does the CDCP cover, and what doesn't it?

Covered examples by category, and what isn't covered. Ask us to confirm coverage for your treatment. Source: Canada.ca.

Bridges aren't on the government's list of examples, so ask us to check your case.

About pre-approval: some services need the CDCP's approval before treatment, and not every request is approved. If a request is turned down, you can still choose the treatment and pay for it yourself. We submit pre-approval requests for you.

Missing a tooth? What the CDCP covers on the way to an implant

The CDCP doesn't cover the implant, but many of the steps before it can be covered.

The CDCP won't pay for an implant. But the work that usually has to happen first often is covered. Many patients use their CDCP coverage for these steps:

1. Exam and X-rays. These check the bone and the teeth on either side of the gap.

2. Tooth removal. A cracked or failing tooth is taken out before an implant can go in.

3. Gum disease treatment. Healthy gums are a must before implant surgery, because untreated gum disease raises the risk of problems around an implant.

4. Fillings or root canals on nearby teeth, so the rest of your mouth is stable.

Then you can decide how to replace the tooth. That might be a CDCP-covered denture, or an implant you pay for privately. The plan allows this: you can use CDCP for covered services and choose to pay for anything outside it, as long as you agree to the cost first.

Want the full picture on implants? Read The Complete Guide to Replacing a Missing Tooth in Guelph.

Implants vs. CDCP-covered dentures: what's the difference?

Both replace missing teeth. They work very differently, though, and that affects more than your smile.

Dentures vs. dental implants: cost, chewing, jawbone, upkeep and timeline.

The whole-body side. Chewing is the first step of digestion. People who struggle to chew often avoid raw vegetables, nuts, fruit and lean meats, and those are the foods that support heart, gut and brain health. Missing teeth can also change how the tongue rests and how the jaw moves, which can affect breathing and sleep. That's why our team looks at your bite, airway and tongue function, not just the gap.

Healthy foods that need strong chewing: vegetables, fruit and nuts.

Dentures are a solid, affordable choice for many people, and implants aren't right for everyone. The best option depends on your health, your bone and your budget, and we'll lay out both honestly.

How Guelph patients make implants more affordable

• Use CDCP for the groundwork. Covered exams, X-rays, extractions and gum care bring down the total cost of getting implant-ready.

  
  

• Phase your treatment. Spread the steps over months, so you're not paying for everything at once.

• Spread the cost with financing. We offer patient financing through iFinance, so you can pay for your implant in monthly instalments. Apply online with iFinance.

• Check for private coverage later. If you start a job with dental benefits, your CDCP eligibility ends, but some private plans cover part of an implant.

Starwood Dental team member reviewing a treatment plan and costs with a patient in Guelph.

Book your CDCP visit or implant consult in Guelph

Have CDCP coverage and a missing or failing tooth? Book a visit at either Guelph location. We'll confirm exactly what your plan covers, take care of the covered steps, and map out your tooth-replacement options with clear costs.

• Westwood Dental: 530 Willow Road, Suite 2 · 519-836-4650

• Starwood Dental: 235 Starwood Drive, Unit 4 · 519-766-1000

Book your CDCP appointment · Learn about dental implants · New patient? Here's what to expect at your first visit.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Canadian Dental Care Plan cover dental implants? No. The CDCP doesn't cover implants, including the implant post, the surgery or the crown. It does cover many steps before an implant, such as exams, X-rays, extractions and gum treatment, as well as dentures.

Can I use CDCP for part of my implant treatment and pay for the rest myself? Yes. You can use CDCP for covered services and agree to pay privately for services outside the plan, like the implant itself. We'll give you a written breakdown first.

Does the CDCP cover dentures? Yes. Complete and partial dentures and denture repairs are covered. Some types, such as partial and immediate dentures, need pre-approval.

Why would I still pay something with the CDCP? You may have a co-pay of 40% or 60% if your adjusted family net income is between $70,000 and $89,999. You may also pay if an office's fee is higher than the CDCP's fee, or for services the plan doesn't cover.

Does Westwood Dental Group accept the CDCP in Guelph? Yes. Both our Westwood (Willow Road) and Starwood (Starwood Drive) locations accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan.

Can I finance dental implants in Guelph? Yes. Westwood offers patient financing through iFinance, so you can pay for implant treatment in monthly instalments. You can apply online or ask our team.