Dental Insurance in Quebec: Costs, Coverage & Best Plans (2026)
Provincial vs private plans in Quebec
If you live in Québec, you can access dental coverage through three main paths:
- Provincial coverage (RAMQ): Québec’s public health system covers some dental services for children under 10, adults on financial assistance, and anyone with a RAMQ health card needing hospital-based oral surgery.
- Federal coverage (CDCP): The Canadian Dental Care Plan provides income-based coverage for residents not already covered by RAMQ’s dental programs or private insurance.
- Private health insurance: Québecers who don’t qualify for government-funded dental programs or have gaps can purchase individual or family dental coverage from private insurers.
What dental services does RAMQ cover?
Québec covers residents who meet eligibility requirements through the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). Eligible residents typically include:
- Children under 10
- Adults on financial assistance
- Those who require oral surgery performed in a hospital
RAMQ provides free dental health care to all children under 10 who have a valid Quebec health insurance card. Coverage generally includes preventative and restorative dental services, such as:
- Dental exams
- X-rays
- Root canals on front teeth
- Tooth extractions
- Emergency dental care
Adults who are covered by RAMQ and have a claim slip can expect to be covered for these dental services:
- Dental exams
- X-rays
- Fillings
- Extractions
- Prosthetics (after 24 months)
Much of the adult coverage depends on the time you’ve been receiving financial assistance, not necessarily how long you’ve been covered by RAMQ.
Regardless of your age or eligibility status, RAMQ does not cover dental implants, orthodontics, periodontics, sealants, prostheses on implants, veneers or teeth whitening. Services such as cleanings, scaling and fluoride treatments are covered only for some eligible recipients of financial assistance.
How the CDCP works and who qualifies
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program that helps eligible Canadians pay for qualifying dental services.
To qualify for the CDCP, applicants must:
Services covered by the CDCP include:
Note that the amount of coverage provided by the CDCP varies based on adjusted family net income. Coverage ranges from 40% to 100% of the CDCP’s established fees for covered services:
- Less than $70,000: 100% coverage of eligible fees
- $70,000 to $79,999: 60% coverage of eligible fees
- $80,000 to $89,999: 40% coverage of eligible fees
Even with CDCP coverage, you may still have out-of-pocket costs if your dental provider charges more than the CDCP’s established coverage amounts or your treatment isn’t fully covered based on your adjusted family net income and eligibility.
Is Québec opting out of the federal dental plan?
Quebec has not opted out of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), as of this writing. Although RAMQ offers coverage for some dental care, eligible Quebec residents can also apply for the federal dental program and receive reimbursement for services that aren’t covered by RAMQ.
Here’s how the two programs work together:
- RAMQ provides some dental benefits for children under 10 and people on financial assistance programs.
- If you are already covered through RAMQ, you will not qualify for overlapping CDCP coverage for the same services.
- If you’re a Québec resident who does not qualify for dental benefits through RAMQ, you may be eligible for the CDCP if you meet the program’s requirements.
- If you are eligible for both RAMQ and the CDCP, the two programs will coordinate to help reduce your out-of–pocket costs. RAMQ pays for covered services first, and the CDCP may help cover dental care outside RAMQ’s coverage.
Bottom line: You can’t receive duplicate reimbursement from RAMQ and CDCP for the same dental services. That said, the CDCP may still help cover eligible services that aren’t offered by RAMQ if you meet the program’s federal requirements.
To qualify for dental coverage through the CDCP, you must:
- Have no private or employer-sponsored dental insurance.
- Be a Canadian resident and have filed your tax return for the previous year.
- Have a combined household income of less than $90,000.
Who needs private dental insurance in Québec?
Many people in Quebec may have gaps in their dental coverage, especially those who do not qualify for RAMQ or CDCP. We’ve created a few personas to show you different lifestyles and situations that may benefit from private dental insurance.
Laurence (age 45) needs more coverage for his family
Details: Employed by a major corporation
Income: $150,000
Needs: Comprehensive coverage for spouse and children
Laurence already has a solid group plan through his corporation job. Unfortunately, it has a maximum coverage limitation of just $750 per person for dental services, and his family far exceeds that amount every year. A private insurance plan like PM Advanced can cover up to 90% for basic and restorative treatments and up to 80% for comprehensive services, including endodontic and periodontal treatments.
Rosalie (age 72) is retired and needs dentures
Details: Formerly self-employed, now retired
Income: $100,000
Needs: Dentures
Rosalie has decades of experience caring for her teeth, but many older individuals encounter the need for dentures or implants. Since she’s formerly self-employed and makes over $90K, she doesn’t qualify for CDCP and doesn’t have employer-sponsored benefits. A private dental plan like PolicyMe Guaranteed Issue Classic reimburses up to 60% of major dental services, including dentures.
Anyone self-employed, retired, recently graduated, between jobs or otherwise without access to group dental benefits through an employer may have oral healthcare gaps.
Olivier (age 35) has no workplace benefits
Details: Restaurant manager, no benefits
Income: $70,000
Needs: Dental care for his family
Olivier runs a locally owned restaurant and has two children. While children under 10 qualify for dental care through RAMQ, one of his kids is 12 and needs braces. Since he makes under $90K a year, he qualifies for CDCP, but it doesn’t cover orthodontics, which can be costly out of pocket.
To know if you’d benefit from private dental insurance, weigh the cost of your child’s orthodontics out of pocket compared to the premiums and overall coverage you’d receive from a private plan. PolicyMe Advanced offers up to 60% in Year 2 and up to $2,500 in orthodontics coverage.
Sophia (age 24) doesn’t qualify for the CDCP
Details: Social media content creator
Income: $120,000
Needs: Basic exams and routine care
Sophia is fairly young and practices good oral care. However, she doesn’t have group benefits through an employer, and her income disqualifies her from the CDCP. Private coverage may be the best option to help cover out-of-pocket costs associated with routine dental services. A plan like PolicyMe Dental Care may be a fit for someone who is otherwise young and healthy and is primarily looking just to cover ongoing dental costs without many add-ons.
The best dental insurance plans in Québec
We’ve compiled the best insurance plans for private dental care in Quebec, including pricing information for each plan and multiple levels of coverage.
1. PolicyMe
Best for: Comprehensive coverage with no waiting period
Why it’s our top pick: PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Dental Care plan is one of the most affordable and comprehensive dental insurance options available to Québec residents. It covers everything from routine cleanings and exams to major restorative procedures, such as crowns and bridges. This insurance plan offers exceptional value compared to other Canadian dental insurance plans.
Under the Dental Care plan, 80% of basic preventive and restorative services are covered immediately, with no waiting period, up to $750 in the first year and $900 in subsequent years. You’ll also receive 60% reimbursement for comprehensive services, such as root canals and periodontal treatments, plus coverage for major services starting in year three.
Premiums start around $116/month for adults aged 21–44 in Québec.
If you’d like your dental insurance to come with a healthy helping of medical coverage for things like prescription drugs, paramedical services, and vision care, consider the Guaranteed Issue Classic plan, which includes the same dental coverage as the Dental Care plan. The Advanced Plan offers even more comprehensive dental benefits, including orthodontic coverage starting in year 2.
2. Manulife
Best for: Customizable dental coverage for families
Why it made our list: Manulife offers two tiers of dental coverage for Quebec residents, tailored to different levels of care. The DentalPlus Basic plan focuses on preventive and routine treatments—such as cleanings, fillings, and select extractions—while the DentalPlus Enhanced plan adds coverage for major restorative services and orthodontics. That said, coverage for plans will be limited to costs not covered under the RAMQ plan.
To get coverage from Manulife, you must have a provincial health card and be registered under the RAMQ Prescription Drug Insurance Plan, or have equivalent coverage under a group plan.
The DentalPlus Basic plan starts at $110.90 for adults in Quebec.
3. GreenShield
Best for: Low-cost coverage for essential dental services only
Why it made our list: GreenShield Canada (GSC) offers affordable, no-fuss dental insurance policy options that focus on essential coverage, making them an excellent choice for Quebec residents seeking reliable, low-cost protection.
The ZONE 2 (Primary) plan offers guaranteed acceptance and covers 80% of basic dental care as well as up to 80% of comprehensive services, including root canals, periodontal treatments, and denture repairs. While it doesn’t include coverage for major restorative work or orthodontics, it’s ideal for individuals or families who mainly need routine dental maintenance.
For those who want broader protection—like crowns or bridgework—or faster access to maximum reimbursement levels, the ZONE 3 (Basic) plan provides expanded benefits at a slightly higher monthly cost.
Premiums for the ZONE 2 (Primary) plan start at $109/month for adults aged 18–44 in Quebec.
4. Sun Life
Best for: Full-service health and dental insurance for applicants with no pre-existing medical conditions
Why it made our list: For Quebec residents who prefer to keep their dental and health coverage under one plan, Sun Life offers a strong, full-service option. While it isn’t the cheapest provider on the market and applicants will need to complete a medical exam, its plans are among the most comprehensive and well-rounded in Canada.
The Enhanced Plan goes beyond basic cleanings and fillings to include major restorative care, dentures, and even orthodontic treatments. These benefits come with robust health coverage, making it a practical choice for those who want everything in one package. Keep in mind, however, that waiting periods and coverage limits may still apply.
Premiums begin around $156.47/month for adults aged 18–44 in Quebec.
5. Desjardins Insurance
Best for: Families in need of extensive dental benefits with orthodontic coverage
Why it made our list: Desjardins’ Enhanced Plan combines extensive health coverage with generous dental benefits, making it ideal for those who want to stay within a single, trusted network.
Dental coverage includes routine exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, and X-rays, as well as major restorative services like crowns, bridges, and dentures. Optional add-ons can expand coverage to include orthodontics or dental accident protection for families with children.
Premiums vary based on your age and the plan type, and you can speak to a Desjardins representative to get a quote.
How to choose the right dental insurance plan in Québec
Finding the best dental plan in Québec depends on your household’s needs, budget, and whether you already have partial coverage through your employer or another health plan. Here’s how to get started:
- Check your eligibility for public programs: Québec residents may qualify for the RAMQ provincial dental care program if they are receiving financial assistance. Some residents may also qualify for coverage through the CDCP, although caps may apply depending on income.
- Review your household’s dental costs: Add up what you typically spend each year on cleanings, exams, fillings, and fluoride treatments from your oral health provider. This gives you a baseline for how much coverage you need.
- Identify your coverage gap: Estimate your total annual dental spending, subtract any existing coverage, and divide by 12 to get your average monthly cost.
- Compare private plans: Get quotes from insurance companies and review co-payments, deductibles, waiting periods, annual limits, and exclusions. Make sure the plan you choose matches the kinds of dental care your family will actually use.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, compare monthly premiums against potential out-of-pocket costs. In some cases, paying a bit more each month can save you some cash, especially if you expect to make frequent visits to your dentist’s office.
FAQ: Dental insurance Quebec
Prices listed on this page are based on information available as of June 2026. The prices shown are for general reference only and may vary based on factors like your age, location, and product selection.