Based on the latest CDA/Abacus Data public opinion research and feedback from dental teams across Canada, several misconceptions about the CDCP persist: z Myth: CDCP provides free dental care. Fact: Patients may have co‑payments as well as additional charges.The CDCP benefit typically does not fully cover what dentists charge. z Myth: All dental services are covered under CDCP. Fact: Not all services are covered under CDCP and some more complex procedures require preauthorization. z Myth: Dentists control coverage decisions. Fact: When CDCP claims are delayed or limited, patients may not realize these decisions sit outside the dental office. Clear, proactive explanations can help reset expectations before treatment begins and reduce frustration for both patients and dental teams. Some Challenges Persist: Expectations and Preauthorization Despite strong overall satisfaction, the survey highlights areas where challenges persist, particularly in patients understanding of the program and administrative processes. A key issue is misconceptions about coverage. Survey data shows that many CDCP users initially believed that dental care under the program would be fully covered, similar to medical services. For some, the first appointment brought unexpected out-of-pocket costs or the realization that certain services are only partially covered by the program. On average, CDCP users who paid out of pocket at their last visit reported spending just over $70. Although many patients are comfortable with balance billing, about 1 in 4 say they have asked not to be charged the difference between CDCP rates and their dentist’s customary fees Preauthorization represents another ongoing challenge. While Health Canada now says most preauthorization decisions are communicated within a week or so, a small share of patients report longer wait times, creating uncertainty for patients and dental teams. Coverage rules are shaping behaviour to some extent: roughly half of CDCP users say they follow their dentist’s recommendations, while a small minority report changing how often they visit the dentist because of the program’s parameters. These findings align with insights from CDA survey research with dentists, where preauthorization delays, administrative complexity, and the increased time spent explaining coverage rules consistently emerge as top operational challenges. Building on What is Working Overall, the October 2025 public opinion data points indicate meaningful progress in Canada’s oral health landscape. Canadians are engaging more consistently with dental care, oral health outcomes are improving, and CDCP users report high satisfaction and perceived health benefits. At the same time, the findings clearly identify opportunities to improve how the program functions in practice, particularly through better public education and more streamlined administrative processes. With continued refinement and collaboration, the foundation is in place to build on early successes and further improve the oral health of Canadians. Patient Misunderstandings About the CDCP The survey was conducted with 3,501 Canadians aged 18 and over from October 3 to 26, 2025. The margin of error for a comparable probability-based random sample of the same size is +/- 1.65%, 19 times out of 20. 14 | 2026 | Issue 1 CDA at Work
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