How Much Does Dental Insurance Cost in Canada? (Average Rates)
How much does dental insurance cost?
Private dental insurance in Canada can range in cost from about $75 and $150 per month or more for adults. This amount varies based on a number of personal and regional factors including your age, the province you live in, and the type of dental care you want your plan to cover.
Dental insurance is a necessary expense for many Canadians because dental care is not typically covered by your provincial health plan. Unless you’re a child, senior, or in a low-income bracket, most Canadian public health plans expect residents to pay for dental services out of pocket or thorough private insurance.
You can obtain private coverage for dental services through:
- Group dental benefits: If your employer (or your partner’s) offers group health benefits that include dental health coverage, you may be able to get routine or major care covered.
- Private health insurance: Most private health insurance plans in Canada include dental insurance as a key benefit. For instance, PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Classic health insurance plan covers 80% of basic preventive and restorative dental services.
- Private dental insurance: Some health insurance plans focus on dental insurance, with little to no coverage for other common benefits. PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Dental Care is a good example, with no prescription drug coverage but comprehensive coverage for dental services.
While a standalone dental insurance plan is typically the cheapest option, with premiums ranging from $40/month or less to just under $150/month, a comprehensive health insurance plan that includes dental benefits may be the most cost-effective dental insurance solution for Canadians.
*Average monthly premiums for an individual in Ontario, based on publicly available rates as of December 2025.
PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Classic and Dental Care insurance policies offer very similar coverage, with identical allowances and limits for dental insurance, vision care, and extended health benefits. The only difference between these plans is that the Dental Care policy does not include coverage for prescription drugs.
Many Canadians are wondering whether the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) will eliminate the need for private dental insurance. While the CDCP is a step in the right direction, it only covers dental care for Canadians who meet the program’s income requirements. Official data shows that just $5.5 million Canadians were approved for the CDCP in benefit year 2025-2026, and less than $2 million have received covered care under the program.
That’s about 13% and 2% of the national population, respectively — leaving at least 87% of Canadians without any dental coverage through the CDCP. Most of those Canadians also have no dental benefits through their provincial health care plan.
Factors that impact the cost of a dental insurance plan in Canada
There’s no one-size-fits-all rate for dental insurance. Here are the 4 main things that will affect your monthly premium:
- Your age: Older adults generally pay more for dental coverage.
- Your province: Premiums vary based on regional dental fees.
- Coverage level: Basic plans cost less, but cover less dental procedures.
- Individual vs. family: A family of four will generally pay more than a single adult.
Cost of dental insurance by age
Age is one of the biggest drivers of dental insurance costs. Because older Canadians are more likely to rack up high dental costs, particularly for major services like dentures, dental implants, and more, they’re charged higher premiums for dental insurance.
To get a sense of how age can change the cost of coverage, let’s take a look at how premiums for PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Dental Care plan change with age in Alberta:
*Average monthly premiums based on publicly available rates as of December 2025.
Cost of dental insurance by province
Dental insurance rates can differ widely across provinces because the overall cost of dental services varies regionally. You’re more likely to see high costs in provinces like Ontario, where dentists charge more for both routine and major care. While rates will vary by provider, here’s a general overview of how PolicyMe’s Dental Care and Classic plans change by region for a 35-year-old individual:
*Average monthly premiums based on publicly available rates as of December 2025.
Take note in the table above: dental and health insurance aren’t priced the same from province to province. While Ontario has the highest dental insurance premiums, two provinces — Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island — beat it out for high-priced medical insurance. You may want to keep these pricing trends in mind when deciding which type of insurance is most cost-effective for you.
Premium tiers decoded: basic, comprehensive, major dental pricing
Your dental insurance premium depends a lot on what kind of dental care your plan covers. At a minimum, a dental insurance plan should cover some of the cost of basic preventive care like check-ups, exams, and x-rays.
But beyond those basics, dental insurance plans vary widely in what they cover, and waiting periods frequently apply to major services like bridges, crowns, and denture care. For instance, some plans will cover regular cleanings, but not preventive fluoride treatments.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what dental insurance may (or may not) care, along with the tier of plan you’re likely to find that coverage in.
Typical deductibles & annual limits for dental insurance in Canada
Most private dental and health insurance plans in Canada come with certain limits, often in the form of deductibles and annual maximums.
- Deductible: This is the amount you’re expected to cover out of pocket before your dental plan kicks in to pay all or part of the remaining costs. A low deductible is a good thing.
- Maximum: This is the maximum amount your plan will pay in dental claims in a given year. A high maximum is a good thing.
Typical deductibles for dental insurance in Canada are between $150 and $250 per year. Once you’ve satisfied that amount, your dental insurance will begin to pay out. A typical annual maximum could be as low as $400/year for plans with basic coverage or up to $1,000/year for premium plans.
The table below compares deductibles and maximums for several highly-rated dental insurance plans in Canada, including PolicyMe’s four guaranteed issue plans.
When picking a dental insurance plan, it’s important to consider how your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum will fit into your existing budget. For instance, if the annual deductible for your plan is close to what you’re already spending out of pocket for dental care and you don’t anticipate any major new services, you may be looking at a plan with more coverage than you need.
Is dental insurance worth it?
Dental care plays a key role in your overall health by reducing inflammation, infection risk, and other health problems. Because provincial health insurance doesn’t cover most dental work for adults, a dental insurance plan is a wise investment if you’re able to find coverage that fits your budget.
But don’t just go for the cheapest plan available. When reviewing dental insurance quotes, remember that the premiums you’re looking at come with different coverage, deductibles, maximums, co-pays, waiting periods, exclusions, and more.
Instead of looking for the cheapest dental insurance, start thinking in terms of cost-effective coverage — that is, insurance that offers the most comprehensive coverage for services you’ll actually use with generous deductibles and maximums. To evaluate how cost-effective each plan is, start by considering your current dental spending, the areas where you need the most care, and your overall healthcare budget.
Dental insurance vs. paying out of pocket
Based on an analysis of dental practice websites, the average cost of basic, restorative, endodontic, and major dental services in Canada without insurance can range from a few hundred dollars to $1,000 or more:
- Dental cleaning: $150–$250 per person
- Tooth filling: $150–$450 per tooth
- Root canal: $500–$1,500
- Dental bridge: $2,000–$5,000
Keep in mind that these are average costs as estimated by a wide range of private dental practices; your actual dental costs could be higher or lower.
Paying for dental insurance may save you money vs. paying out of pocket if:
- You have multiple dependent children: The cost of dental cleanings for kids can add up quickly, even if nobody needs any fillings or major services in a given year.
- You need major services (or expect to in the next few years): Dental insurance is designed in part to help offset the cost of major services that you couldn’t shoulder alone, such as crowns or bridgework.
- You also need health insurance benefits: Most Canadian dental insurance plans come with extended health benefits and coverage for things like vision care, paramedical services, or prescription drugs. Because these are factored into the cost of your policy, your use of these services will determine the value of the plan.
According to our research, the dental coverage in PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Dental Care plan could save a Canadian household $1,343 per year, on average, compared to paying for dental care out of pocket.
Prescription drugs tend to be one of the most frequently used and costly out-of-pocket items, so this coverage offers strong value if you fill multiple prescriptions per year. Using multiple types of services is often when private health insurance really starts to pay off. — Ivana Govedarica, Licensed Insurance Advisor
How to compare Canadian dental insurance quotes side by side
When comparing quotes from different insurance providers, don’t just look at the monthly premium. Ask yourself these questions to weigh out the value of your dental insurance:
- What dental services are included? Are there any key exclusions in the policy?
- Are there annual or lifetime maximums?
- What is the reimbursement rate? What is the co-pay? What is the deductible?
- What is the insurance company’s method of reimbursement?
- Are there waiting periods before certain procedures? (Most dental insurance coverage has waiting periods, especially for services like orthodontics, so take note!)
“Health and dental insurance plans are most valuable when the services covered by the plan are used in tandem. Pairing dental coverage with services like Mental Health or Massage/Chiropractics provides Canadians with the opportunity to take care of their health in a holistic and more affordable way.” – Emil Daniel, Licensed Insurance Advisor
How to use tax deductions to save on your dental expenses
Dental insurance premiums can sometimes be claimed as eligible medical expenses when filing your taxes in Canada. If you pay for dental insurance out of pocket, you may be able to include the premiums as part of the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) on your federal income tax return. This credit helps offset the cost of eligible health-related expenses, reducing your overall tax burden.
To claim dental premiums as a medical expense on your taxes, you’ll need to follow the steps below:
- Add up the total amount that you or your spouse spent in the past year on eligible medical expenses, including dental insurance premiums.
- Enter the total on line 33099 of your tax return.
- On the next line, enter either 3% of your net income or $2,759 (whichever is smaller).
- Subtract this amount from the amount on line 33099, and enter the result on the next line.
- Claim the tax credit on line 58689 of your Form 428.
For individuals who are self-employed, dental insurance premiums may also be deductible as a business expense, provided the plan meets certain eligibility criteria. This can be especially valuable for freelancers, contractors, or small business owners who don’t have access to employer-sponsored benefits.
Since eligibility for tax deductions can vary based on your income, the type of plan you have, and your filing status, it’s a good idea to consult a tax professional or accountant. They can help determine whether your specific dental insurance plan qualifies and guide you on how to properly claim the deduction.
Bottom line: private dental insurance costs
If you’re looking for peace of mind, dental insurance might be worth it. You’ll avoid big out-of-pocket expenses and make preventive oral health care more accessible.
Expect to pay between $75 and $150 per month, depending on your age, province, and the type of plan you choose. And remember: if you don’t have workplace benefits or need more than the CDCP offers, a private dental plan is one of the few ways to make dental care more affordable in Canada.
FAQ: Dental insurance costs
Reviewed by an expert ✔️
This page has been expert reviewed by a licensed insurance advisor to ensure accuracy and helpfulness.
Emil is an LLQP-licensed insurance advisor with half a decade of experience in the life and health insurance industry. Backed by an MBA, he brings a sharp understanding of both the financial and human sides of insurance. He’s driven by one thing: knowing he’s helping people protect what matters most—themselves and their loved ones.
Emil is an LLQP-licensed insurance advisor with half a decade of experience in the life and health insurance industry. Backed by an MBA, he brings a sharp understanding of both the financial and human sides of insurance. He’s driven by one thing: knowing he’s helping people protect what matters most—themselves and their loved ones.
Note: Rates may fluctuate slightly depending on your provider, rates are based on PolicyMe’ Economic Plan from July 2025.
Prices listed on this page are based on information available as of October 2025. The prices shown are for general reference only and may vary based on factors like your age, location, and product selection.