Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Covered by CDCP?
You've been told your wisdom teeth need to come out. The bigger question on your mind right now isn't the procedure itself; it's whether your Canadian Dental Care Plan will actually cover it.
The short answer is yes. Wisdom teeth removal is covered under CDCP. But the amount covered, whether you need preauthorization first, and what you'll pay out of pocket, depend on three specific factors: the type of extraction required, your household income, and whether your case meets the plan's clinical necessity criteria.
This guide answers every question North York CDCP members ask before booking a wisdom teeth consultation with verified information from the Government of Canada, the CDCP Dental Benefits Guide, and the Sun Life Ontario Benefit Grid.
Key Takeaways
- CDCP covers wisdom teeth removal, including surgical extractions for impacted teeth
- Impacted wisdom tooth removal always requires preauthorization from Sun Life before treatment begins — this is confirmed in the CDCP Ontario Benefit Grid ("preauthorization required for teeth ending in 8 at all times")
- Co-payments are based on adjusted family net income: 0% under $70,000 / 40% at $70,000–$79,999 / 60% at $80,000–$89,999
- CDCP reimburses based on its own national fee guide — if your clinic charges more, you pay the difference
- OHIP does not cover wisdom teeth removal performed in a dental office
- Bayview Smile Centre Dental in North York accepts CDCP and handles direct billing and preauthorization on your behalf
- Important: Renewals for the 2026–2027 benefit year are open until June 1, 2026. If you don't renew, your coverage ends June 30, 2026.
What Is the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal government program that provides dental coverage to uninsured Canadians. It is administered by Sun Life Financial and targets households that meet all four eligibility conditions:
- No access to private dental insurance (through an employer, pension plan, or government program)
- Adjusted family net income below $90,000
- Filed a Canadian tax return for the previous year
- Valid Social Insurance Number and Canadian residency
As of 2025, the plan is fully open to all eligible Canadians of all ages. Coverage runs in annual benefit periods; the current period is June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
How co-payments work
CDCP covers a percentage of the plan's own fee guide amounts. That percentage depends on your income:
| Adjusted Family Net Income | Your Co-Payment |
|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 0% — fully covered |
| $70,000 to $79,999 | 40% co-payment |
| $80,000 to $89,999 | 60% co-payment |
| $90,000 and above | Not eligible |
Important: These percentages apply to the CDCP fee guide rate, not your clinic's full list price. If your clinic charges more than the CDCP fee, you pay the co-payment plus the difference between the CDCP rate and the clinic rate.
Does CDCP Cover Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Yes. The CDCP covers tooth extractions under its oral surgery category, which explicitly includes surgical extractions of impacted wisdom teeth when clinically necessary.
The key detail from the official CDCP Ontario Benefit Grid: preauthorization is required for all teeth ending in 8, meaning all wisdom teeth, in all cases, at all times. This applies whether the extraction is simple or surgical.
Simple (erupted) wisdom tooth removal
If a wisdom tooth has fully erupted through the gum and has a straightforward root structure, it may qualify for a routine extraction. It still requires preauthorization under CDCP because it's a tooth numbered 18, 28, 38, or 48.
Surgical (impacted) wisdom tooth removal
An impacted wisdom tooth, one that is partially or fully trapped beneath the gum or bone, or growing at an angle, requires a surgical approach:
- Incision of gum tissue
- Removal of the bone blocking the tooth
- Sectioning the tooth into pieces
- Suturing the wound
CDCP covers surgical extractions for impacted wisdom teeth when the procedure is deemed clinically necessary, and preauthorization has been approved by Sun Life before treatment begins. CDCP will not cover an extraction performed before written preauthorization is received.
What counts as clinically necessary?
CDCP covers procedures for oral disease and its consequences. For wisdom teeth, the clinical indicators that support a successful preauthorization request include:
- Active infection or pericoronitis (gum infection around the tooth)
- Decay in the wisdom tooth or the adjacent second molar
- Cyst or pathology associated with the tooth
- Documented resorption of neighbouring teeth
- Significant impaction with documented clinical risk
Elective removal of a fully asymptomatic wisdom tooth without documented clinical justification is unlikely to be approved. Your dentist will document the clinical rationale and submit it as part of the preauthorization request.
What Does CDCP Actually Pay for Wisdom Teeth Removal in Ontario?
CDCP reimburses based on its national fee guide. For Ontario in 2025–2026, typical CDCP fee guide amounts for extraction procedures fall into these ranges:
| Procedure Type | Approximate CDCP Fee Guide Rate |
|---|---|
| Simple extraction (erupted wisdom tooth) | ~$150–$200 per tooth |
| Surgical extraction — soft tissue impaction | ~$200–$350 per tooth |
| Surgical extraction — partial bony impaction | ~$300–$500 per tooth |
| Surgical extraction — full bony impaction | ~$400–$650+ per tooth |
These are approximate ranges based on publicly available information. Exact CDCP fee amounts are confirmed through Sun Life prior to treatment.
Realistic out-of-pocket scenarios
| Patient Situation | CDCP Coverage | Estimated Out-of-Pocket |
|---|---|---|
| Erupted wisdom tooth, income under $70K | Fully covered (CDCP rate) | $0 + any fee gap |
| Impacted (soft tissue), income $72K | 60% covered | ~$80–$140 per tooth + fee gap |
| Impacted (partial bony), income $82K | 40% covered | ~$180–$300 per tooth + fee gap |
| No CDCP coverage | None | $350–$650+ per tooth |
The fee gap: what it means for you
CDCP reimburses at its own fee guide rate. Dental clinics in Ontario typically charge according to the ODA (Ontario Dental Association) suggested fee guide, which differs from the CDCP rate. If there is a gap, the patient is responsible for that amount in addition to any income-based co-payment.
At Bayview Smile Centre Dental, we confirm your CDCP coverage and provide a full cost estimate including any expected fee difference, before treatment begins. You'll know exactly what you owe before any work is started.
Does CDCP Cover All Four Wisdom Teeth?
CDCP does not limit coverage to a single tooth per treatment episode. Each tooth is assessed individually by procedure code, and preauthorization is required for each tooth ending in 8.
Your dentist will evaluate whether removing multiple wisdom teeth in one session is clinically appropriate for your situation. Factors that inform this decision include the severity of each impaction, root anatomy, sedation needs, and your overall health.
Removing all four at once: clinical considerations
Many patients ask whether it's better to remove all four wisdom teeth in a single appointment. Clinically, a combined approach offers:
- A single recovery period instead of multiple healing phases
- One sedation session if sedation is needed
- More predictable post-operative management
However, this decision is your dentist's. Not every patient is a good candidate for full-arch extraction in one visit, and clinical assessment always comes first.
Does CDCP Cover Sedation for Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Yes, with important distinctions depending on the type of sedation.
According to the CDCP Dental Benefits Guide and official Ontario Benefit Grid:
| Sedation Type | CDCP Coverage | Preauthorization Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) | Covered | No |
| Oral sedation | Covered | No |
| Nitrous oxide + oral sedation combined | Covered | No |
| Conscious sedation (inhalation or combined) | Covered if clinically indicated | Yes |
| Deep sedation or general anesthesia | Covered if clinically indicated | Yes |
Local anesthesia is included in the extraction procedure.
At Bayview Smile Centre Dental, we offer sedation options for wisdom teeth removal. If your situation requires conscious sedation or deeper anesthesia, we handle the preauthorization submission to Sun Life as part of your treatment plan.
Does OHIP Cover Wisdom Teeth Removal in Ontario?
No. OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) does not cover wisdom teeth removal performed in a dental office, including surgical extractions.
The only exception is when a wisdom tooth extraction is performed in a hospital by a licensed oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and when the case meets specific medical criteria such as severe pathology or a medical condition requiring general anesthesia in a hospital setting.
For the vast majority of patients in North York having their wisdom teeth removed at a dental clinic, OHIP does not apply. CDCP is the relevant coverage program for uninsured patients.
What to Expect at Bayview Smile Centre Dental: Step by Step
Bayview Smile Centre Dental is a registered CDCP provider. Here is exactly what the process looks like from your first call to your post-operative follow-up.
Step 1: Confirm your CDCP membership
Before booking, confirm that you are a registered CDCP member. You should have received a welcome letter from Sun Life with your member ID. If you haven't received it or are unsure of your enrollment status, check at canada.ca or call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342.
Step 2: Book a consultation at Bayview Smile Centre
Call us or book online and let us know you're a CDCP member. We'll schedule a comprehensive exam, including a panoramic X-ray (OPG), to assess the position and condition of your wisdom teeth. Both the exam and the X-ray may be covered under your CDCP benefits.
Step 3: Treatment planning and preauthorization
Based on your exam findings, we'll develop a treatment plan, document the clinical rationale, and submit a preauthorization request to Sun Life on your behalf. We will also provide a written cost estimate showing the expected CDCP reimbursement, any co-payment, and any fee difference before treatment begins.
Preauthorization typically takes several business days. We will notify you as soon as we receive Sun Life's response.
Step 4: Wisdom teeth removal
Once preauthorization is confirmed, we schedule your procedure. We offer sedation options to ensure you're comfortable throughout. Direct billing to Sun Life is handled entirely by our team. You pay only your co-payment and any confirmed fee difference at the time of your appointment.
Step 5: Recovery and follow-up
We schedule a post-operative follow-up to confirm that healing is progressing normally. Any questions or concerns between appointments are handled directly by our team.
FAQ
Is wisdom teeth removal covered by CDCP in Ontario?
Yes. CDCP covers wisdom teeth removal in Ontario, including both simple and surgical extractions, when the treatment is clinically necessary. Preauthorization from Sun Life is required for all wisdom teeth (teeth ending in 8) before any extraction can proceed.
Does the Canadian Dental Care Plan cover impacted wisdom teeth?
Yes. Impacted wisdom teeth — including soft tissue and bony impactions — are covered under CDCP as oral surgery procedures, provided the treatment is deemed clinically necessary and preauthorization is approved before the procedure.
What is the co-payment for wisdom teeth removal under CDCP?
Co-payments depend on your adjusted family net income:
- Under $70,000: 0% — no co-payment for the CDCP-covered portion
- $70,000 to $79,999: 40% co-payment
- $80,000 to $89,999: 60% co-payment
You may also be responsible for the difference between CDCP fee guide rates and your clinic's fees.
Does CDCP require preauthorization for wisdom teeth removal?
Yes, always. The CDCP Ontario Benefit Grid states that preauthorization is required for all teeth ending in 8, which includes all wisdom teeth. Treatment cannot be submitted for reimbursement if the extraction was performed without prior written preauthorization.
Does OHIP cover wisdom teeth removal in Ontario?
No. OHIP does not cover wisdom teeth removal performed in a dental office. The only exception is oral surgery performed in a hospital setting for a serious medical condition.
Can I use CDCP for all four wisdom teeth?
Yes. CDCP does not limit coverage to a single tooth. Each extraction is assessed individually by procedure code. Your dentist will advise whether removing all four in one session is appropriate for your case.
Does CDCP cover sedation for wisdom teeth removal?
Nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and their combination are covered without preauthorization. Conscious sedation and general anesthesia are covered with preauthorization when clinically justified.
Does Bayview Smile Centre Dental accept CDCP?
Yes. Bayview Smile Centre Dental in North York is a registered CDCP provider. We handle direct billing to Sun Life, preauthorization submissions, and provide full cost estimates before treatment begins. We are accepting new CDCP patients.
My CDCP renewal is coming up — what should I do?
Renewals for the 2026–2027 benefit year are open until June 1, 2026. If you do not renew before the deadline, your coverage ends June 30, 2026. Renew at canada.ca or by calling 1-833-537-4342.
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