Insurance & Payment at Smile Club Dental
Know what you'll pay before you sit in the chair. Your coverage and out-of-pocket estimate are calculated in your secure patient portal ahead of treatment — whether you have private insurance, the Canadian Dental Care Plan, or no insurance at all.
How does insurance work at Smile Club Dental?
Smile Club Dental calculates your estimated coverage and out-of-pocket cost in your secure patient portal before treatment begins. You add your insurance details once, and the portal shows what your plan is expected to cover — so you can book your visit already knowing roughly what you'll pay.
Here's the flow from start to finish:
- Create your patient portal account. Booking online sets this up in a few clicks — no paper forms.
- Add your insurance details. Enter your plan information directly in the portal, from any device.
- See your estimate before treatment. The portal shows your total estimated cost, the coverage applied, and your expected out-of-pocket amount.
- Book with confidence. No guesswork and no surprise bills — you've seen the numbers up front.
Planning your first appointment? Our new patients guide walks through exactly what to expect at your first visit.
Do you accept private dental insurance?
Yes — Smile Club Dental works with most private dental insurance plans. Add your plan in the patient portal and we estimate your coverage and out-of-pocket cost before your visit, so there's no guesswork about what your insurance will pay and what you'll owe.
We also help you maximize the benefits your plan already includes, so you pay less for quality care. If anything in your estimate is unclear, our team is happy to walk through it with you before you commit to treatment.
Does Smile Club Dental accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?
Yes. Smile Club Dental accepts the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), the Government of Canada program that helps cover dental costs for residents without access to private insurance. Bring your CDCP member ID and coverage start date, and confirm your coverage is active before your appointment, as canada.ca advises.
Under the plan, participating dental offices bill Sun Life (the plan administrator) directly for covered services — canada.ca notes that patients pay only their co-payment plus any charges the plan doesn't cover, and that anyone who pays the full bill out of pocket cannot be reimbursed by Sun Life. Health Canada estimates CDCP members save an average of $900 per year on dental services.
Who qualifies for the CDCP?
According to the Government of Canada, you may qualify for the CDCP if you meet all four requirements:
- You don't have access to private dental insurance — even coverage you declined, pay a premium for, or never use counts as access.
- You (and your spouse or common-law partner) filed last year's Canadian tax return.
- Your adjusted family net income is under $90,000.
- You're a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
Two details worth knowing: coverage through a provincial, territorial, or federal government social program doesn't disqualify you — the plans coordinate benefits — and since mid-2025 the CDCP has been open to eligible Canadians of all ages, with no age restriction.
How much does the CDCP cover?
The CDCP pays a percentage of its established fees based on your adjusted family net income, per the Government of Canada's coverage page:
| Adjusted family net income | CDCP pays | Your co-payment |
|---|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 100% of CDCP established fees | 0% |
| $70,000 – $79,999 | 60% of CDCP established fees | 40% |
| $80,000 – $89,999 | 40% of CDCP established fees | 60% |
Canada.ca cautions that CDCP established fees may differ from what a dental office charges, so patients — even those with no co-payment — can owe additional amounts for costs the plan won't cover. That's exactly what your portal estimate is for: you see the expected numbers before treatment, not after.
What does the CDCP cover?
The CDCP covers diagnostic and preventive care — including dental exams, x-rays, and cleanings (scaling), plus fluoride and sealants — according to the Government of Canada's coverage page. It also helps pay for fillings, root canals, dentures, extractions, and other services, some requiring preauthorization.
Note that some services and anything beyond frequency limits need preauthorization, and not all requests are approved. Orthodontic services are not yet covered — canada.ca lists them as available in the future "at a date to be determined."
What if I don't have dental insurance?
You can still get clear pricing at Smile Club Dental. Create a patient portal account and you'll see a transparent estimate of your treatment cost before you commit to anything — no surprise bills. According to Statistics Canada, about 35% of Canadians had no dental insurance in 2022.
Cost is the single biggest reason people skip the dentist: Statistics Canada reports that 45% of Canadians without dental insurance have avoided dental visits because of cost, compared with 12% of those with coverage. Seeing the price up front — instead of finding out at the front desk — is how we take that anxiety off the table. And if you think you might qualify for the CDCP, check the eligibility rules above before paying out of pocket.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see my out-of-pocket cost before my appointment?
Yes. Once you add your insurance details in the Smile Club Dental patient portal, it shows your total estimated cost, the coverage applied, and your expected out-of-pocket amount before treatment — so you book already knowing the numbers.
How do I apply for the CDCP?
You can apply online through My Service Canada Account or by phoning Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342. Applications for the 2026–2027 benefit year are open — see the canada.ca application page for the full steps and what you'll need.
Does the CDCP cover a new-patient exam, x-rays, and cleaning?
Yes — the CDCP covers dental exams, x-rays, and cleanings (scaling) according to the Government of Canada's coverage page, subject to frequency limits and plan rules. Orthodontics is not yet covered.
Will I owe anything if the CDCP covers 100% for my income tier?
Possibly. Canada.ca cautions that CDCP established fees may differ from what a dental office charges, so even patients with no co-payment can owe extra for non-covered costs. Your portal estimate shows the expected amounts before treatment, so nothing comes as a surprise.
Do I need to renew my CDCP coverage every year?
Yes. CDCP members must renew every year after filing taxes to confirm they still qualify — canada.ca warns that dental work done during a coverage gap won't be covered. You can renew as soon as you receive your latest notice of assessment.
Ready to see your numbers?
Book a visit and your portal account is set up along the way — or learn more about Smile Club Dental first.