How Much Is Dental Insurance in Canada (2026): Average Monthly Premiums & Rates
TL;DR How much does dental insurance cost?
The average cost of dental insurance in Canada ranges from $60–$150 per month, depending on your age, province, and coverage level. For families, dental insurance typically costs between $150 and $350 per month.
* Premiums show the approximate monthly cost of PolicyMe’s Dental Care plan for a resident in Canada.
How expensive is dental insurance in Canada?
Private health insurance companies in Canada price dental insurance plans based on a few core factors.
The first factor: age and number of people insured on your plan.
Dental insurance costs go up as you age to reflect the increasing necessity and cost of dental treatments. Family plans that cover multiple people will also cost more.
- Children: $35–$120/month
- Adults: $60–$130/month
- Older adults: $70–$150/month
- Seniors: $90–$180/month
- Families: $150–$350/month
To find these ranges, we compared average monthly premiums for a comprehensive mid-tier health and dental insurance plan (e.g. PolicyMe’s Dental Care or Classic plans). for four different age groups in Canada. “Children” refers to age groups with a starting age closest to 0, “Adults” refers to age groups with a starting age closest to 18; “Older adults” refers to the age group immediately following the adult group; and “Seniors” refers to age groups with a starting age closest to 60.”
The second factor: where you live.
Dental costs vary by province, since each provincial dental association sets base prices for all dental procedures, from cleanings to extractions to major oral surgery.
- Alberta: $65–$150/month
- British Columbia: $65–$135/month
- Manitoba: $55–$120/month
- New Brunswick: $60–$150/month
- Nova Scotia: $85–$125/month
- Ontario: $75–$160/month
- Quebec: $70–$150/month
- Saskatchewan: $60–$115/month
To find these ranges, we compared average monthly premiums for adults (aged 18–44) in each province for a comprehensive mid-tier health and dental insurance plan (e.g. PolicyMe’s Dental Care or Classic plans).
The third factor: how much your plan covers.
Dental insurance is often bundled with extended health benefits, including prescription drug coverage, paramedical coverage, mental health services, ambulance coverage, and more. Note that pricing may overlap depending on plan design, insurer, and included benefits.
- Basic plan (no drug coverage): $40–$100/month
- Basic plan (w/drug coverage): $50–$110/month
- Comprehensive (no drug coverage): $85–$100/month
- Comprehensive plan (w/drug coverage): $60–$130/month
- Major coverage: $115–$235/month
To find these ranges, we compared average monthly premiums for adults (aged 18–44) in Canada with five different levels of coverage, ranging from basic health and dental insurance with no prescription drug coverage (e.g., GreenShield’s ZONE 1 and 2 plans) to premium health and dental plans with coverage for major procedures like dentures, bridgework, and orthodontics (e.g., PolicyMe’s Advanced plan).
How much does good dental insurance cost?
We’ve covered the basics of how much dental insurance costs in Canada—but what about good dental insurance?
The definition of “good” dental insurance is a little different for every individual and family in Canada. Think about what you’d want from a “good” dental plan:
- Do you need coverage for prescription drugs?
- Do you need coverage for major procedures like crowns, bridgework, or oral surgery?
- Do you need coverage for orthodontic treatments?
- What percentage of your total dental costs could you realistically pay out of pocket?
In the comparison tables below, take careful note of reimbursement rates and annual maximums. These tell you how much of your total dental costs each plan will cover, and how much you might be left to pay out of pocket.
No-drug dental insurance vs. complete health and dental insurance
Let’s dig deeper into coverage levels by considering three basic approaches to dental insurance:
- No-drug health and dental insurance: Some health and dental insurance plans don’t include coverage for prescription drugs. Examples: PolicyMe Dental Care, Manulife DentalPlus Basic/Enhanced
- Comprehensive health and dental insurance: Most of the best health insurance plans in Canada include both drug and dental coverage. Examples: PolicyMe Classic, GreenShield ZONE 5
- Basic health and dental insurance: For those with limited needs or a small budget, a few plans offer basic coverage for essential procedures at a lower reimbursement rate. Examples: PolicyMe Economic, GreenShield ZONE 2
Compare coverage and pricing for PolicyMe’s three cheapest dental insurance plans below:
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18–21-year-old adult living in Canada as of March 2026.
How to pick the right level of coverage:
- If you want robust dental coverage but don’t need prescription drug coverage: Go with a plan like Dental Care that focuses on optimal coverage for dental care and cuts out costly prescription drug coverage.
- If you need only basic dental coverage but also need coverage for prescription drugs: Go with a basic-tier policy like the Economic plan that includes coverage for all the basics at a lower reimbursement rate.
- If you want robust coverage for dental care and prescription drugs: Go for a comprehensive health and dental plan like the Classic plan, which offers higher reimbursement rates for both categories of healthcare.
Premium coverage options
If you’re working with a larger budget or need coverage for expensive procedures not often included in private health and dental plans (think orthodontics, bridgework, or dentures), consider one of the following premium plans:
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18–21-year-old adult living in Canada as of March 2026.
Can you get free dental care in Canada?
Most provincial healthcare plans include very limited coverage for dentistry. In most cases, your provincial plan will only cover dental procedures if:
- They are medically necessary oral surgery procedures performed in a hospital setting, often as part of a broader medical procedure (e.g., a tooth extraction as part of surgery on a broken jaw)
- You qualify for public dental coverage based on your income, age, and health conditions
Most healthy Canadian adults not eligible for income assistance can’t receive free dental care under provincial healthcare plans.
Some Canadians are eligible to have 40–100% of the cost of dental care covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). This federal program offers coverage for diagnostic, preventive, basic, and major dental services with few outright exclusions. Orthodontics and cosmetic procedures like dental implants aren’t currently covered by the CDCP, but most other procedures are eligible for at least partial coverage.
To qualify for free or heavily subsidized dental care, however, you’ll need to meet the program’s requirements:
- You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes
- You and your partner (if applicable) must have filed your taxes in Canada the previous year
- Your net adjusted family income must be no greater than $90,000
- You must not have access to private dental coverage, including through a group plan provided by your employer (or your partner’s)
Additionally, if you do qualify but your net adjusted family income is between $70,000 and $89,999, you will not receive full coverage through the CDCP and will still need to pay between 40% and 60% of your dental bill out of pocket.
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 enrolled in the CDCP in benefit year 2025–2026, and ~3 million have received covered care under the program, representing about 14% and 7% of the population, respectively. This means the majority of Canadians are not covered by the CDCP, many of whom must rely on private insurance or pay out of pocket for dental care.
Is dental insurance worth the cost?
Dental care isn’t just about your teeth—it 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 provincial dental fee guides, the average cost of basic, restorative, endodontic, and major dental services in Canada without insurance can range from a few hundred dollars for routine preventive care to $1,000 or more for major procedures.
Dental insurance is most powerful when it comes to routine costs, slashing your regular check-up bill by as much as 80% or more.
To give you a sense of how dental insurance could change your out-of-pocket costs for a wide range of dental services, the table below compares base dental fees in Alberta with the total out-of-pocket costs you’d face under PolicyMe’s Dental Care plan.
* Based on Alberta Dental Association’s General Dentists Suggested Fee Guide: 2026 Abbreviated Version.
** Based on $750 annual maximum. Annual maximum increases to $900 in Year 2.
*** Based on price for bonded (tooth-colored) fillings. Prices vary between anterior teeth, bicuspids, and molars.
**** Estimated cost based on two retainers plus one pontic.
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
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.
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 on eligible medical expenses during any 12-month period ending in the tax year, including dental insurance premiums
- Enter the total on line 33099 of your tax return.
- Calculate the lesser of 3% of your net income or the annual CRA threshold for the tax year (whichever is smaller).
- Subtract this amount from your total medical expenses to determine your eligible claim.
- Claim the resulting amount as a non-refundable tax credit on your federal return (Schedule 1), and on your provincial Form 428.
For individuals who are self-employed, dental insurance premiums may also be deductible as a business expense under Private Health Services Plan (PHSP) rules. 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.
The bottom line on 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 for a single adult, 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
Prices listed on this page are based on information available as of March 2026. The prices shown are for general reference only and may vary based on factors like your age, location, and product selection.