How to Find the Best Dental Insurance for Families in Canada
What is family dental insurance?
Family dental insurance is a private plan that covers dental care for everyone in your family.
It’s especially important because the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan and provincial dental care plans do not cover all the necessary services (or costs) associated with good oral health.
Depending on the plan you choose, it may cover:
- Check-ups and cleanings
- Exams and X-rays
- Fillings
- Crowns and bridgework
- Root canals
- Orthodontics
- Major surgeries
- Dentures
You pay a premium every month to maintain coverage, and then you and the insurance company share the cost of services up to your policy’s limit. Each type of service has its own coverage model. For example, yours might cover 70% of basic services up to $600 per person per year.
Individual vs. family dental insurance
Dental insurance for individuals covers just one person: you.
- Individual dental insurance: This is designed for people who need dental care but don't have a family to insure. You pay a monthly premium to access dental services at reduced costs.
- Family dental insurance: This is designed for couples or people with dependents who need dental care for more than one person. You pay a monthly premium that covers dental services at reduced costs, with annual maximums for each person on the plan.
Dental care typically is not covered by Canada’s universal healthcare, and provincial and federal plans only provide support for those who meet strict eligibility criteria (like age and/or income thresholds). Plus, dental insurance is about more than just covering big-ticket items—it’s about encouraging regular preventive care to save you money and support better long-term health.
Dental care is the most commonly delayed health service in Canada. 35% of Canadians say they’ve skipped or reduced dental visits, and 66% of this group are young people aged 18–34.
What does family dental insurance cover?
Family dental insurance may cover a range of preventive, basic, major, and emergency dental services—it depends on the plan you pick. It can cover adults, as well as children.
Dental services are typically grouped into these categories, and covered at a certain percentage in each category.
Preventive (80 to 100% by most plans)
Regular check-ups, cleanings, and routine X-rays are considered preventive care. These are usually covered fully or at a high percentage.
Basic (50 to 80% by most plans)
Fillings, extractions, and simple root canals are considered basic dental care. These are usually covered at a percentage between 60% and 80%, so you and the insurer share the cost.
Major (50% by most plans)
Crowns, bridges, complex root canals, dentures, implants, and oral surgery are considered major services. Some plans cover these, but usually at a lower percentage—and there’s usually a waiting period to qualify.
Orthodontics (varies)
Family dental insurance sometimes covers orthodontics, like braces and retainers, but usually only for children. Coverage for orthodontics is less common and there’s usually a waiting period.
If you’re interested in a plan to help pay for the cost of orthodontic treatment, it’s important to confirm the details with your insurer before you begin. Have your orthodontist submit a treatment summary so you know exactly what will (and won’t) be covered.
Emergency (varies)
Broken teeth and severe pain are considered emergency dental issues. While most provinces will cover these services in-hospital, you’ll need emergency dental coverage if you visit a dentist to address your issue. Most plans cover a significant portion of emergency care.
Elective and cosmetic procedures, like whitening and veneers, are not typically covered by standard dental insurance plans.
Not every plan will suit every Canadian family, so always consider your specific needs before buying a plan.
Over 50% of PolicyMe customers file a claim within 90 days. This is a sign that people are catching up on delayed care—and that affordability is still blocking access to dental hygiene for too many Canadians.
How much does family dental insurance cost?
The average cost of dental insurance in Canada for your family is between $40 and $150 per month per person. The exact price depends on where you live, the ages of the people covered, and what coverage you choose.
Here are sample premiums for PolicyMe’s dental care plan for Canadians, by age:
Your out-of-pocket costs without insurance can add up quickly. 60% of Canadians paid out-of-pocket for dental care, and of those, 29% paid over $1,000 in the last year for health or dental care, and 9% paid over $3,000.
The overall cost of family dental insurance is made up of several smaller costs:
- Monthly premium: You pay this every month to maintain your coverage. Premiums are higher for more comprehensive plans.
- Deductible: You’ll pay an out-of-pocket deductible before your insurance kicks in. Your insurance will cover the rest up to your policy’s limit.
- Co-pay and co-insurance: You pay a fixed amount, or co-pay, every time you need a service, like visiting the dentist. The insurer often pays between 50% and 80%, depending on the service and your plan, and you’re responsible for the remainder.
Note that some dental health coverage models use direct billing and others use reimbursement. With reimbursement models, you pay out of pocket for the full service cost and the insurance company reimburses you for the amount they’ll cover.
Older Canadians 55+ are the most likely to be uninsured, and 21% say they have no health or dental coverage at all. Many seniors are looking for dental insurance for the first time when they retire and lose their work coverage.
Is family dental insurance worth it?
Family dental insurance is worth it for people who want to save money and provide consistent dental care for the whole family.
Here are two scenarios that illustrate how important family dental care can be.
Family A: Self-employed dad with two kids
Mike is a self-employed father who makes $93,000 per year in Ottawa with two school-age children.
Mike’s coverage options:
- Work insurance? No, he’s self-employed
- CDCP? No, he earns over $90,000 per year
Mike’s coverage solution: A private family health insurance plan is this dad’s best option to cover the services he and his two kids need.
- Adult and child cleanings and fluoride treatments every nine months
- Fillings and extractions (if any of them develop cavities)
- Accidental dental (his kids play sports and accidents happen)
Mike’s costs: $200.38 per month for a family health plan with PolicyMe that will cover all three people with dental, health, vision, paramedical, mental health, and other extended healthcare benefits that supplement their provincial coverage.
About 80% of applicants for coverage with PolicyMe had no prior coverage. Freelancers, gig workers, and small business owners in Canada can get private coverage to protect against unexpected health and dental costs.
Family B: Two parents with one child
Meg and Nikhil live in Halifax with a 5-year-old child. Both work full-time, but Nikhil is on a contract, so he’s unable to add dependents and is generally dissatisfied with the coverage available.
Meg and Nikhil’s coverage options:
- Work insurance? Yes, but only Nikhil’s health plan offers extended health benefits
- CDCP? No, they’re ineligible since they qualify for dental through Nikhil’s job
Meg and Nikhil’s coverage solution: A private family health insurance plan can help all three of them ensure they’re covered for the care they need, like cleanings for their child and crowns for Meg.
Meg and Nikhil’s costs: $236.21 per month to cover all three people with dental, health, vision, paramedical, mental health, and other extended healthcare visits with PolicyMe, or $145.53 per month to cover only Meg and their child.
36% of Canadians are worried they could lose some or all of their insurance coverage due to economic instability. Employee benefits end when you lose your job—but private plans ensure you and your family have coverage, no matter what.
How to choose the right family dental insurance plan
To pick the right family dental insurance plan for you, start by reviewing your family’s coverage needs. We recommend paying just for what you need, rather than spending unnecessary money on the plan with the broadest coverage.
- What dental benefits do you need? Most Canadian families need at least preventive care, like cleanings, exams, fluoride applications, and annual X-rays. Some will need coverage for fillings, extractions, dentures, and other major services.
- What coverage options are available to you? Free federal coverage is available to eligible Canadian residents through the CDCP, though it may not cover all the services your family needs. Low-income families can often access free or discounted care through provincial programs, but it depends on the province.
- What cost structure makes sense for your family’s budget? Consider what percentage the insurer will pay for each type of service. Then, consider the premiums and co-pays to see if it’s worth the cost.
- Which companies offer plans that work? Find providers with plans that offer the services you need at high coverage levels. For instance, not all cover orthodontics.
- Which companies are easy to work with? Cost is a big factor, but it’s not the only one. Read reviews and ask your friends and family about their oral health care experiences. You want a company that is responsive, helpful, and honest.
- Request quotes and compare options. Ask for quotes from several companies to find out what you’d pay. Then, it’s as easy as applying and locking in coverage for your loved ones.
Best dental insurance for families in Canada
Some of the best dental insurance policies for families in Canada come from PolicyMe, GreenShield, and Manulife. Let’s compare these providers across affordability and coverage options.
* Overview only. Features vary by plan, so check your policy carefully.
FAQ: Family dental insurance
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.