Dental insurance, made simple for Canadian families
Find dental insurance plans with the right coverage at the right price.
How dental insurance works in Canada
In Canada, dental insurance is available through four primary channels:
Who can get government dental coverage?
Children, seniors, low-income households, and anyone with medical conditions impacting their oral health could be eligible for free dental services through their provincial healthcare plan. Check your province’s coverage for more details.
PolicyMe’s dental insurance plans at a glance
Common out-of-pocket dental costs | Provincial health care* | PolicyMe Guaranteed Issue Economic | PolicyMe Dental Care | PolicyMe Guaranteed Issue Classic | PolicyMe Guaranteed Issue Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dental examinations and X-rays for adults | |||||
Routine dental cleanings, fillings & extractions | |||||
Endodontic (root canal) and periodontal (gum health) treatments | |||||
Major dental services (e.g., crowns, bridges, dentures) | |||||
Braces |
*Residents in some provinces or those eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan may be covered for select benefits. Personal insurance coverage may vary by plan. See the Comparison Table for full plan details.
- Services covered: Basic preventative and restorative services (e.g., cleanings, fillings, extractions), endodontic and periodontal treatments, major services (e.g., bridges, crowns, dentures)
- Reimbursement (basic services): 80%
- Reimbursement (comprehensive/major services): 50–60%
- Annual maximum: $750 (year 1), $900 (year 2+)
- Additional health coverage: Vision benefits, extended medical care benefits
- Services covered: Basic preventative and restorative services (e.g., cleanings, fillings, extractions)
- Reimbursement (basic services): 70%
- Annual maximum: $500
- Additional health coverage: Prescription drug coverage, vision benefits, extended medical care benefits
- Services covered: Basic preventative and restorative services (e.g., cleanings, fillings, extractions), endodontic and periodontal treatments, major services (e.g., bridges, crowns, dentures), orthodontics
- Reimbursement (basic services): 90%
- Reimbursement (comprehensive/major services): 60–80%
- Annual maximum: $800 (year 1), $1,000 (year 2+)
- Additional health coverage: Prescription drug coverage, vision benefits, extended medical care benefits
- Services covered: Basic preventative and restorative services (e.g., cleanings, fillings, extractions), endodontic and periodontal treatments, major services (e.g., bridges, crowns, dentures)
- Reimbursement (basic services): 80%
- Reimbursement (comprehensive/major services): 50–60%
- Annual maximum: $750 (year 1), $900 (year 2+)
- Additional health coverage: Prescription drug coverage, vision benefits, extended medical care benefits
Who needs private dental insurance in Canada?
Most Canadian households can benefit from private coverage for dental care. Public health coverage for dental services, whether through provincial plans or the federal CDCP, is limited in both eligibility and coverage.
The three groups most in need of private dental insurance in Canada are self-employed Canadians and their dependents, retirees (especially those not yet eligible for senior-specific dental benefits), and those between jobs.
Coverage should protect your health and your wallet.
How much does dental insurance cost?
The cost of dental insurance in Canada varies by age, province, and plan selection. In general, a basic level of dental insurance will cost between $100 and $125 per month for most Canadian adults.
Among the four PolicyMe health insurance plans that include dental insurance coverage, monthly premiums range from as low as $72/month to $220+/month for premium coverage in some high-cost provinces.
Province | Dental Care | Economic | Classic | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alberta | $111.92 | $118.29 | $132.37 | $179.27 |
British Columbia | $108.54 | $116.84 | $128.14 | $174.28 |
Manitoba | $100.20 | $105.37 | $123.33 | $160.00 |
New Brunswick | $107.11 | $111.61 | $131.09 | $170.89 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | $103.34 | $111.24 | $119.77 | $159.97 |
Nova Scotia | $97.99 | $101.24 | $119.64 | $157.00 |
Ontario | $134.95 | $134.05 | $162.06 | $221.36 |
Quebec | $116.06 | $123.32 | $147.48 | $203.64 |
Saskatchewan | $72.68 | $78.39 | $90.68 | $114.69 |
How PolicyMe’s dental insurance works
Whether it’s online or with an advisor on the phone, securing PolicyMe Dental Insurance has never been easier or faster. Get approved for coverage in as little as 5 minutes.
Get a no-obligation quote
Get a personalized plan recommendation and no commitment.
Secure coverage in 5 minutes or less
Pick your plan and finalize your coverage on the spot. No medical questions required.
Choose your start date
Access your benefits the next business day or pick a future date to start your coverage.
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How to choose the best dental insurance for you
Not sure where to start? Follow these steps to make sure you’re getting the right dental coverage at the right price.
Do a quick review of all dental insurance coverage you are enrolled in or may be eligible for, including the CDCP, provincial health programs, and group benefits through your own or your spouse’s employer. Are you taking full advantage of the coverage available to you?
What type of dental services do you want coverage for? Are you looking for a policy that will cover basic cleanings, X-rays, and fluoride treatments for you and your children, or do you need a plan that can help to offset the cost of major work like dentures, orthodontics, or dental implants?
Now it’s time to do some math. Collect as many dental bills, invoices, and receipts as you can find from the last 12 months to calculate your total out-of-pocket spending on oral health care.
Next, get estimates for any major procedures you expect to need in the next 24 to 36 months and add that cost to your total. Finally, divide the resulting sum by 12.
That’s the monthly cost of your dental insurance gap—and the maximum you should consider paying for dental insurance.
Now that you’ve analyzed your dental coverage needs, start comparing private dental plans from Canadian health insurance companies. You can use PolicyMe’s guide to dental insurance plans as a starting point, talk to friends and family about their coverage, or do your own online research.
Look for plans that have the coverage you know you need. Take note of any waiting periods, exclusions, deductibles, and maximums listed on each plan, as well as other health care services covered, such as vision care and extended health benefits.
Once you’ve found one or two dental insurance products that meet your needs, it’s time to see if they fit your budget. Most health insurance providers offer quick online quotes so you can compare costs, but you may need to call an advisor for quotes from some companies.
Remember: A dental plan that costs more per month than the total you expect to spend on dental care isn’t worth it. Only buy dental insurance if you can find a plan that covers the services you need and saves you money vs. paying out of pocket.
Avoid overlapping coverage
If you already have some dental coverage through CDCP, a provincial plan, or group benefits, try to find a plan that overlaps as little as possible with your current insurance. Every piece of coverage in a private dental plan adds to your premiums; think carefully before buying redundant coverage just for one or two extra benefits.
Need dental insurance help? Speak with an advisor!
Schedule your appointment or call us anytime Monday to Friday at +1 (866) 999-7457.
- Needs analysis: Get help choosing the right plan
- Benefits breakdown: Understand how to maximize your coverage
- Q&A: Learn everything you need to know about your policy
FAQs: Dental Insurance in Canada
Private dental insurance in Canada covers a range of oral health care treatment options, from routine cleanings and X-rays to major services, like dentures and orthodontics. By contrast, the dental programs offered by the federal and provincial governments typically only cover dental services for dependent children, low-income households, seniors, and those with specific medical needs.
You can’t buy private dental insurance and still qualify for coverage under the CDCP; one of the core eligibility requirements for CDCP is having no access to other dental coverage. If you’re currently enrolled in the CDCP and aren’t satisfied with your coverage, you may want to conduct a needs and spending assessment to see if you would save money by paying for private dental insurance instead.
Payment for dental services through private dental insurance works in one of two ways: direct billing, in which the dental provider bills your insurance company directly, or reimbursement, in which you pay the full cost of services to the provider and then submit a claim to your insurer for reimbursement.
Yes, braces can be covered by dental insurance in Canada, but it depends on the specifics of your plan. Most comprehensive dental insurance plans offer some level of coverage for orthodontic treatments, which include braces. However, the extent of coverage can vary widely. Some plans might cover a significant portion of the costs, while others might only offer partial coverage. It's crucial to review the details of your plan to understand what is included and any limitations or waiting periods that might apply.
For families with children or individuals needing orthodontic care, having a plan that includes coverage for braces can be a real financial relief. Without insurance, braces can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the complexity of the treatment and the type of braces used. If you're considering getting braces or any other orthodontic treatment, it's worth comparing different dental insurance plans to find one that offers the best coverage for your needs.
If you change jobs, you won’t be able to keep your group dental benefits. This is one of the advantages of purchasing a private plan—it stays with you regardless of when and how your employment changes.
Dental insurance premiums may be tax deductible in Canada through the Medical Expense Tax Credit.
The start date for dental insurance benefits varies depending on the plan you’re on. For instance, if you qualify for the CDCP, your state date may be weeks to months from when you’re approved. At a private health insurance company, you’ll often have the option to pick your start date, but dental coverage may be subject to a waiting period—typically around three months.
Have a question we didn’t answer?
Call +1 (866) 999-7457 from 9AM-5PM EST Monday to Friday or email us. Our insurance expert team is happy to help!
