A dental clinic in Kelowna, British Columbia, says fully honoring the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) fee guide has significantly improved access to care for local residents, helping many patients receive treatment they had postponed for years.
Alpha Dental Centre, located at 104-2040 Springfield Rd., decided early to accept the program’s reduced fee guide in full. As a result, patients approved for 100% coverage under the CDCP do not pay out of pocket for eligible services.
Months after implementing the policy, the clinic reports that hundreds of appointments have been completed and long-delayed treatments have begun, saving local families thousands of dollars collectively.
Dr. Kal Dhaliwal of Alpha Dental Centre said the team expected the program to help patients but did not anticipate the scale of unmet dental needs in the community.
“We knew there was a real need,” Dhaliwal said. “What surprised us was how many people had quietly delayed dental care for years. By honoring the reduced fee guide, we removed the final barrier.”
For many patients, the CDCP has covered routine and essential treatments, including cleanings, exams, fillings and extractions. Some patients have also received crowns and denture restorations without additional charges.
When clinics do not follow the CDCP fee guide, patients may be required to pay the difference between the government’s reduced reimbursement rate and a clinic’s standard fees. Alpha Dental Centre opted not to charge that gap.
“We didn’t want patients worrying about unexpected costs,” Dhaliwal said. “If someone qualifies for full coverage, they should feel confident booking their treatment.”
The clinic says the policy has encouraged many patients who previously delayed care to begin treatment plans and return for regular visits.
Several patients say the program has had a meaningful impact on their dental health.
Patient Ramon Vazquez said the clinic worked quickly to secure approval for a crown so the procedure could be completed without delay.
“Every time I visit the clinic I’m greeted with smiles and leave happier than when I came in,” he said.
Another patient, Sean Upshaw, said the treatment restored his confidence. “Thank you Dr. Kal and team. I can smile again,” he said.
Mladen Obradovic said financial concerns had caused him to postpone dental care for years. Learning that the clinic fully honors the CDCP fee guide gave him the confidence to proceed.
“I was worried there might still be extra costs,” he said. “When they explained how the program worked, it was a huge relief.”
According to the clinic, more patients are booking appointments through the CDCP, including some who had not seen a dentist in nearly a decade. Word-of-mouth has helped spread awareness of the program within the community.
Dhaliwal said improved access to dental care can have wider benefits beyond oral health.
“Dental care affects confidence, nutrition and overall well-being,” he said.
The CDCP is designed to improve access to dental services for Canadians without private dental insurance. To qualify, applicants must be Canadian residents for tax purposes, have filed their most recent tax return (and their partner’s if applicable), have no private dental insurance, and report a family net income below $90,000. Lower-income households may receive full coverage.
Alpha Dental Centre said it is currently accepting new patients under the program and assisting individuals with the application and renewal process.
“If you’ve been putting off dental care because of cost, this could be the opportunity to take care of it,” Dhaliwal said. “We’re here to help.”
