Dental Insurance for Self-Employed Canadians
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Why you need dental insurance if you’re self-employed
If you’re self-employed in Canada, you may need private dental insurance. While you might be tempted to skip out on this coverage to reduce your spending, there are three simple reasons for self-employed workers to invest in a dental plan:
- If you’re self-employed, you likely have no access to dental insurance benefits through a workplace group plan.
- Most provincial healthcare plans don’t cover dental services for adults.
- Regular dental cleanings support overall health by reducing the risk of infection, oral cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and more.
Luckily, dental coverage is included as part of most private health insurance plans, with coverage for a wide range of services. You may choose a basic, low-cost plan to cover the cost of routine cleanings and other preventive services, or seek out a more robust policy with coverage for major procedures like crowns, bridges, dentures, and oral surgeries.
Is dental insurance worth the cost for self-employed Canadians?
The cost of private dental insurance depends on your age, your province, and the plan you choose. It also incorporates the cost of health benefits included in all private health and dental plans.
When you buy private dental insurance, it’s bundled with health benefits like coverage for prescription drugs, vision care, paramedical care (e.g., chiropractor or massage therapy services), travel insurance, and more.
On average, monthly premiums for private health and dental plans cost between $100 and $125 for adults in Canada. The table below compares monthly costs for two dental insurance products: PolicyMe’s Dental Care plan, which excludes coverage for prescription drugs, and the Economic plan, which provides basic coverage for a wider range of medical expenses.
Dental insurance vs. CDCP
For some self-employed Canadians, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) may be a cost-effective alternative to private dental health coverage. The CDCP covers basic oral healthcare services, including routine checkups and cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments, scaling, and sealants. It also provides comprehensive coverage for:
- Restorative services: Fillings, extractions, and crowns
- Endodontic services: Root canals, pulpectomies, and related procedures
- Periodontal services: Gum cleanings and treatment of abscesses
- Oral surgeries: Removal of teeth, tumors, and more, along with anesthesia services
The CDCP doesn’t cover orthodontics (i.e., braces) or any cosmetic dental costs.
You’re eligible for dental benefits through the CDCP if:
- You don’t have access to private dental insurance or group benefits, including through a family member’s employee benefits plan
- You’re a Canadian resident for tax purposes
- You and your spouse or partner (if applicable) filed your tax returns in Canada last year
- Your adjusted net family income is less than $90,000
Check your eligibility for the CDCP before purchasing private dental insurance. If you have no access to group coverage options but make too much money to qualify for CDCP coverage, private dental insurance may be worth the cost.
The best dental insurance plans for self-employed Canadians
To find the best dental insurance for self-employed Canadians, we looked for private health insurance plans that met three criteria:
- An emphasis on dental coverage: We focused on plans without coverage for prescription drugs that focus instead on robust dental, vision, and paramedical coverage. If you want a plan with coverage for both oral health and prescription medications, you may want to look for complete health insurance plans.
- Low costs: Many self-employed Canadians, especially freelancers and contract workers, are on a tight budget. If that’s you, we understand the need to get insurance at the most affordable price.
- Easy approval: All three of our picks are guaranteed health insurance plans, meaning you won’t have to undergo an exam or answer medical questions to qualify.
1. For well-rounded coverage: Dental Care by PolicyMe
PolicyMe’s Dental Care plan offers two major advantages for self-employed workers: no waiting period for basic dental coverage and $10,000 of emergency dental coverage—double the coverage offered by many competitors.
PolicyMe's Dental Care Plan is ideal for individuals, families, and seniors 65+ with existing prescription drug coverage. It exceeds the industry average for dental coverage by 22%, and its paramedical coverage has no per-visit or per-profession limits.
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Canada
** Comparison reflects the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.
2. For bare-minimum coverage: ZONE 2 (Primary) by GreenShield
If you’re just looking for a low-cost health plan that can cover routine cleanings and other basic health services, GreenShield’s ZONE 2 is among the cheapest options on the market.
Like ZONE 1, ZONE 2 by GreenShield is a fairly barebones no-drug health insurance plan. Its paramedical coverage is its best feature, and it's a decent budget pick for young, active students who play sports and travel.
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Canada
** Comparison reflects the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.
3. For robust coverage: DentalPlus Enhanced by Manulife
For those in need of major dental services including orthodontics, Manulife’s DentalPlus Enhanced is a strong option. While reimbursement limits and annual maximums are smaller than some competitors', the inclusion of orthodontics may make a big difference for some families.
Manulife's DentalPlus Enhanced plan is a dental-only, guaranteed health insurance plan. Despite offering more dental coverage than some of its competitors, its reimbursement rate is lower, making the total benefit lower than you'd think.
For example, in the first year of your policy, you could claim up to 70% of $840 (for a total of $588) with DentalPlus Enhanced. Or, you could claim up to 80% of $750 (for a total of $600) with PolicyMe's Dental Care plan, and pay an average of $40 less per month.
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Canada
** Comparison reflects the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.
FAQ: Dental insurance for self-employed Canadians
Prices listed on this page are based on information available as of January 2026. The prices shown are for general reference only and may vary based on factors like your age, location, and product selection.