Which Dental Insurance in Canada Should You Choose? A 2024 Guide

Brushing and flossing are only a small part of dental care. Unfortunately, with the cost of dental health services in Canada, that’s all some Canadians can do. But what if I told you that you don’t have to suffer through a toothache? In fact, by applying for dental insurance in Canada, you can take your dental health into your own hands and avoid financial risks!

Care to find out the finest dental insurance providers in Canada and learn how to get quality dental coverage? Read on!

Best Dental Insurance Providers for Individuals in Canada

The following are some of Canada’s best and most reputable dental insurance providers for individual plans.

Dental Insurance in Canada

Take a closer look at this expert selection of dental insurance providers in Canada to help you find just what you’re looking for.

sterilized dental supplies on a table

1. Manulife

  • Coverage: Up to $840/year (1st year) and up to $920/year (2nd year)
  • Province/territory availability: 13/13

Headquartered in Toronto, Manulife Insurance is one of Canada’s most well-known and largest insurance companies. It provides dental insurance as part of group employee benefits and private insurance plans for individuals.

Manulife is best known for its CoverMe individual health and dental plans, which come in FlexCare (customizable coverage) and FollowMe (assured coverage) options. The dental coverage is $575 in the first year and $750 in the second year for the company’s basic plan, but the enhanced one can bring your coverage up to $920 per year.

Manulife Dental Insurance includes comprehensive plans that guarantee acceptance and provide coverage for pre-existing conditions, while also offering some for exams, fillings, cleanings, and oral surgery. Moreover, you also gain access to the TELUS Health Virtual Care, the TELUS LivingWell Companion, and the TELUS Smart Home Security.

Pros:

  • Special rates for families with 3 or more children
  • Customizable plans

Cons:

  • Coverage is not as high as others on this list

2. Blue Cross

  • Coverage: $500 (1st year) and up to $1,500 (lifetime)
  • Province/territory availability: 13/13

Blue Cross is a health, dental, travel, life, and disability carrier that serves individuals and businesses across the country. The company is based in Etobicoke, Ontario and offers numerous insurance plans with health benefits, drug, and dental coverage.

Surprisingly, the company covers over 7 million Canadians each year and has served as a healthcare provider for more than 80 years. Currently, the dental insurance from Blue Cross is part of broader health insurance: Elements, Assured Access, and Guaranteed Issue Plans. With Elements, you can add optional coverage, such as dental benefits.

Moreover, depending on the module you pick (Entry, Essential, or Enhanced), you can get coverage for exams, cleaning, X-rays, fillings, extractions, root canals, periodontal services, and orthodontics. Note that wait times differ and range from 3 months (for exams and cleanings) to 24 months (periodontal coverage and orthodontics).

Pros:

  • Competitive coverage
  • Top-ranked health benefits provider in Canada

Cons:

  • Wait times might be long

3. UOFT

  • Coverage: up to $800/year
  • Province/territory availability: N/A

For those who don’t know, UOFT stands for the University of Toronto, founded in 1827 in Toronto, Ontario. UTSU is the university’s official student government, representing nearly 38,000 students. To lighten the financial burden of undergraduate students, the university offers comprehensive health and travel insurance plan.

The UOFT dental insurance plan covers preventative care like dental visits, exams, x-rays, extractions, lab tests, scalings, polishings, fillings, root canals, and surgeries. In addition, it provides coverage for dental accidents, such as repairing/replacing damage to healthy teeth.

Depending on the extent of care, the plan covers 60% to 80% of expenses in a policy year or up to $800 for dental visits per year, with some limitations or exclusions. In addition to the coverage, members also have access to a network of over 3,000 practitioners with reduced costs, making it the best student dental insurance in Ontario.

Pros:

  • Extremely affordable for the benefits provided
  • Large network of practitioners

Cons:

  • Complete exams are only covered every 5 years

4. Desjardins

  • Coverage: $750 (1st and 2nd year) and up to $1,000 (3rd year)
  • Province/territory availability: 3/13

With over 7.5 million members in Quebec and Ontario, the Desjardins Group is Canada’s largest cooperative financial organization founded in 1900 in Levis, Quebec. Desjardins Insurance is the company’s health and life insurance subsidiary that offers extensive health coverage and benefits.

The Desjardins Dental Insurance is part of an overall health insurance plan and is comprised of two options, Basic and Enhanced. The Basic Plan includes exams, cleanings, X-rays, and fillings, while the Enhanced adds periodontal services, major dental care, and orthodontics. Moreover, you can get 50% to 80% reimbursement depending on your case and plan.

It’s essential to note that the coverage applies to check-ups and procedures every 6 to 36 months and may involve wait times of up to 24 months. For more detailed information, check out the Desjardins SOLO Healthcare brochure.

Pros:

  • Reputable company
  • Includes both basic and major dental procedures

Cons:

  • Long wait times of up to 2 years

5. BCAA

  • Coverage: up to $800 (1st year), up to $900 (2nd year) and up to $1,200 (3rd year)
  • Province/territory availability: 2/13

Located in Burnaby, British Columbia, BCAA is a part of the Canadian Automobile Association. BCAA offers comprehensive dental plans that are part of a larger health insurance plan. There are two core health insurance plans, the CAA and the FollowMe (for current or soon-to-be retirees), allowing you to choose optional dental coverage.

The focus of this research was on the CAA Plan aimed at self-employed individuals or those that have changed employment recently. BCAA Dental Insurance offers three options: Dental 1,2, and 3, with each succeeding one adding to the previous. Therefore, the Dental 1 Plan offers benefit maximums of up to $450 for the first year and $700 for the third.

Accordingly, the Dental 3 Plan is the most exhaustive, providing up to 100% reimbursement for basic services, 80% for specialized procedures, and 60% of all expenses. BCAA’s premiums also provide a wide range of advantages and alternatives.

Pros:

  • Affordable plans and options
  • Up to 100% reimbursement for basic procedures

Cons:

  • Available in only two provinces

6. GMS

  • Coverage: up to $500 (1st year), up to $750 (2nd year), and up to $1,000 (3rd year)
  • Province/territory availability: 13/13

Founded in 1949 in Ontario, GMS Health and Travel has been providing care for Canadians before the province had publicly-financed Medicare. Individual and group health plans both include dental coverage. GMS’s coverage extends to X-rays, cleanings, polishings, dentures, fillings, crowns, root canals, bridges, and dental emergencies.

In addition to the procedures covered by all plans, members can also get accidental dental coverage through the Personal Health Plan which extends to $5,000 per injury. In contrast, the Replacement Plan covers up to $2,000 per injury. Generally, GMS will reimburse you 50% (for major procedures) to 80% (for preventative and basic procedures).

Since healthcare providers are currently backed up, it’s important to remember that there might be a longer waiting time for routine exams and procedures.

Pros:

  • Attractive accidental dental coverage
  • Separate plans for separate groups of people

Cons:

  • Lower reimbursement for major procedures

Why Do We Need Dental Insurance?

Believe it or not, you need dental insurance for many things. Here’s the gist of it:

orthodontist working on a patient lying on a dental chair

It Protects You From Financial Risks

In essence, dental insurance helps you get necessary preventative and restorative care, save money on additional operations, and preserve your general health. Dental coverage allows you to receive more consistent dental care, benefiting your overall health and protecting you in the case of an emergency.

It’s Affordable

Who doesn’t like cheap protection? Luckily, dental insurance in Canada is generally affordable and won’t cost you an arm and a leg. To get a clear picture, check out the prices for some common dental procedures without insurance:

Procedure Average cost 
Teeth Cleanings (without dental X-rays) $75 – $200
Teeth Cleanings (with dental X-rays) $100 – $300
Dental Whitening $200 – $1,000
Tooth Extraction $136 – $250
Tooth Fillings $80 – $325
Dental Crowns $1,000 – $1,600
Root canal $500 – $1,100

The table shows that the tooth extraction cost without insurance and root canal cost in Canada can be quite expensive. Add one or two crowns and you’ve got a fortune to pay! And although the tooth filling cost in Canada is on the lower end of the price scale, it’s important to know that it is part of the coverage of most dental plans.

It Provides Adequate Care

Finally, dental insurance can help ensure that you get the appropriate dental care. This is especially important if you have a pre-existing dental condition that requires regular treatment. Thus, your insurance can help cover the expense of these treatments, so you can get the adequate care you need without financial hardship.

How to Get Dental Insurance?

Fortunately, there are many ways you can acquire health or dental-only insurance in Canada. Here are some:

  • Many Canadian companies provide group insurance to their employees
  • Piggyback off your spouse’s plan as a couples plan
  • Contact insurance companies directly
  • Apply for the Pensioners Dental Service Plan (PDSP) if you’re a federal retiree
  • Contact an insurance broker

Are Braces Covered by Dental Insurance?

The average cost of braces in Canada varies from $2,000 to $9700 for 30 months of treatment. On the other hand, Invisalign costs are slightly higher, ranging from $5,000 to $9,700 for 30 months of treatment.

However, there are some free braces programs in Canada, the most notable being Smiles 4 Canada, Smile for a Lifetime, and Smiles Change Lives. According to the Canadian Association of Orthodontics (CAO), dental insurance plans typically cover about 50% of orthodontic care. However, your best bet is to ask your dentist if they offer payment plans,

Conclusion

Overall, it’s crucial to get dental insurance in Canada to help you cover the cost of necessary preventative care. Dental coverage allows you to receive consistent dental treatment and reap the benefits of long-term health. With this exhaustive list of insurance providers, you’ve hopefully understood the policies better and are well-prepared for the next steps.

FAQ

What’s good dental insurance in Alberta?

Manulife, Sun Life, GMS Health, and Prism Spectra offer the best dental insurance in Alberta.

How much does dental insurance cost in Canada?

You can purchase dental insurance for as low as $65. However, deductibles might be high, with the patient responsible for 25% of the charge.

How much does a dentist make in Canada?

The average dentist’s salary in Canada is $126,750 per year ($65 per hour). The starting salary for entry-level positions is $110,497 per year, with most experienced individuals earning up to $214,500 per year.

You may be interested: How Much do Doctors Make in Canada?

How much do braces cost in Canada?

The typical cost of braces in Canada ranges from $5,000 to $6,000. However, some might pay as little as $2,000, while others spend as much as $9,700.

Does OHIP cover dental?

Unfortunately, OHIP does not cover dental care. However, some exceptions include complex oral surgeries, such as cleft lips, jaw tumours and cysts, and fractured jaws.

ABOUT AUTHOR

Mila is an English literature student and a devoted animal's rights advocate. Despite her love for the written word, she's a keen observer of the everyday world and an excellent researcher with a bright and fresh perspective. When she's not doing research, you're most likely to find her out for a walk with her dog or binge-watching a TV show.

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