Dental Insurance By Province: What’s Covered in Canada
How does dental insurance work in Canada?
Canadians can get coverage for dental services in three ways: through their province’s public healthcare plan (in rare cases), through the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), or through private dental insurance.
Provincial healthcare plans don’t cover most dental services, and most Canadians don’t qualify for the CDCP. This means that most Canadians can only get coverage for dental services through a private dental insurance plan.
- The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) began enrollment in 2023.
- Services covered by the plan include routine exams and cleanings as well as restorative, endodontic, periodontal, major, prosthodontic, anesthesia and sedation services; dentures; and oral surgery.
- Orthodontics aren’t currently covered by the CDCP, but coverage is planned to start at some point in 2025.
- To qualify, applicants must have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000 per year and no access to dental coverage through an employer or a private healthcare plan.
- 5 million Canadians were approved for the CDCP for the 2025–2026 benefit year—roughly 13% of the country’s total population.
Over 85% of Canadians didn’t qualify for dental coverage through the CDCP in 2025. Because provincial healthcare plans only cover a tiny percentage of dental care (typically oral surgery performed in a hospital setting), most Canadians need private dental insurance.
Dental insurance coverage by province
In most provinces, the only dental services covered by public healthcare are certain oral surgeries performed in a hospital. Routine preventive, restorative, and major dental services aren’t covered in most cases, except through programs for children, seniors, and low-income families.
In the sections below, we’ll give a more detailed breakdown of what is and isn’t covered—and for whom—by public dental insurance in each province.
Public dental insurance in Alberta
What’s covered? The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) covers certain oral and maxillofacial surgery services, along with anesthetic services to support those surgeries. Dental extractions may be covered if they’re performed on an emergency basis by a physician, or if they’re required as part of surgery to restore a broken jawbone. The AHCIP doesn’t cover routine dental services, extractions, and dentures.
- Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors: Alberta residents aged 65 or older receiving financial assistance whose income meets eligibility requirements can get a maximum of $5,000 every 5 years for select routine preventive and restorative dental services.
See Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors for more.
What to look for in a private dental insurance plan: All children and adults in Alberta need a private dental insurance plan to get coverage for routine, restorative, and/or major dental services. Take stock of the services you’re currently using as well as any major services you expect to use in the next three years, such as wisdom tooth extractions, braces, crowns, or bridges.
Public dental insurance in British Columbia
What’s covered? The British Columbia Medical Services Plan (MSP) only covers two dental benefits: oral and dental surgery medically required to be performed in a hospital, and orthodontic services required by severe congenital facial abnormalities. It does not cover routine dental services—including restorative services and wisdom tooth extractions—outside of select income-based programs.
- Income-based dental coverage: Adults who receive disability assistance, qualify for general health supplements, or have persistent multiple barriers to employment may be eligible for up to $1,000 per two years for basic preventive and restorative dental services, as well as dentures, crowns, and bridges under certain circumstances.
- Healthy Kids Program: Children under 19 years old are eligible for up to $2,000 per two years for basic dental services if their family qualifies for MSP supplementary benefits based on an adjusted net household income of $42,000 or less.
See Dental coverage, Healthy Kids Program, and Dental & Orthodontic Services for more.
What to look for in a private dental insurance plan: For families that don’t qualify for British Columbia’s complex income-based dental assistance plans, a private dental insurance plan should cover the basics of routine cleanings, exams, x-rays, fillings, and other preventative and restorative services. If you expect to need major services like dentures or orthodontics in the next three years, be sure to check for waiting periods on this coverage.
Public dental insurance in Manitoba
What’s covered? The only dental services that the Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan (MHSIP) covers are certain dental procedures that require hospitalization. What’s more, Manitoba doesn’t offer any dental coverage to low-income residents.
What to look for in a private dental insurance plan: If you live in Manitoba and aren’t eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Program, you’ll need private dental insurance to get coverage for any type of dental care that doesn’t require hospitalization—everything from routine cleanings to major work like crowns and bridges. Consider your current dental spending to find the plan that best fits your needs.
Public dental insurance in Newfoundland & Labrador
What’s covered? The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Care Plan (MCP) covers certain dental surgeries that are medically necessary and performed in a hospital setting. The MCP Children’s Dental Health Plan also includes universal access to the following services for children aged 0-12:
- Examinations every 6 months
- Cleanings every 12 months
- Fluoride treatments every 12 months (ages 6-12 only)
- Routine fillings and extractions
- Sealants
- Income Support Program (ages 13-17): Youths between these ages whose families receive Income Support qualify for routine examinations, fillings, and extractions. Cleanings, fluorides, sealants, and extraction of impacted teeth aren’t covered.
- Low Income (Access) Plan (ages 13-17): Eligible youth enrolled in the Access Plan of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Plan (NLPDP) are eligible for the same dental services as recipients of the Income Support Program.
- Adult Dental Program: Clients enrolled in the Foundation Plan of the NLPDP are eligible for basic services, including examinations, X-rays, routine fillings, extractions, and standard dentures. Cycles for these services vary.
See Dental Services: General Info and the Medical Care Insurance Insured Services Regulations for more.
What to look for in a private dental insurance plan: If you have children aged 12 or younger, your private dental plan doesn’t need to cover them for routine dental procedures. Look for a plan that covers cleanings, X-rays, and any other services not covered for teenagers and adults in your household.
Public dental insurance in New Brunswick
What’s covered? New Brunswick Medicare covers certain surgical dental procedures only when medically necessary and performed in an approved hospital. All other dental services are ineligible for Medicare coverage.
- Healthy Smiles, Clear Vision (ages 0-18): Children aged 18 and younger whose families meet income eligibility requirements are eligible for coverage of routine dental services, including exams, X-rays, extractions, and some preventive services like fluorides.
- Health Services Dental Program (ages 19+): Adults and their dependents aged 19 and older who are Social Development clients or have special health needs and qualify for assisted healthcare under the Family Income Security Act and Regulations can receive coverage for exams, X-rays, dentures, denture repairs, and certain types of fillings.
- Health Services Enhanced Dental Program (ages 19+): Adults and their dependents aged 19 and older who are Social Development clients and participating in Career Development Options programming can receive coverage for additional benefits, including complete oral exams, cleanings, scaling/root planning, and root canal on anterior teeth.
- Medavie Blue Cross (seniors 65+): Seniors aged 65 and older can purchase dental benefits covering polishing, scaling, fillings, root canal treatment, extractions, minor denture repair, and denture reline and rebase at 70% reimbursement. Coverage costs $57.26/month.
See Healthy Smiles, Clear Vision, Health Services Dental Program, Health Services Enhanced Dental Program, and Seniors Health Program for more.
What to look for in a private dental insurance plan: If you don’t qualify for income-based dental coverage or don’t want to pay for dental coverage from Medavie Blue Cross as a senior, it’s worth looking for a private plan to cover basic routine care and/or any major dental services you expect to need in the next few years.
Public dental insurance in Nova Scotia
What’s covered? The Nova Scotia’s government’s Medical Insurance Services (MSI) plan covers medically-necessary oral and maxillofacial surgery delivered in a hospital and basic dental care for all children aged 0 to 14, anyone diagnosed with an intellectual disability requiring their dental care to take place in a hospital setting under anesthesia, and patients in the Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Program by the Cleft Palate/ Craniofacial Team (CPT) at the IWK Health Centre.
Note that all residents must use any private dental insurance coverage first before provincial coverage kicks in.
See Children's Oral Health Program, Special Needs Oral Health Program for more.
What to look for in a private dental insurance plan: If you don’t fit into one of the categories above—and that includes most adults, seniors, and teens over age 14—you’ll need a private dental plan to cover the cost of even basic routine care. You’ll also need private coverage if you want reimbursement for the cost of major dental procedures, including orthodontics, for any age group.
Public dental insurance in Ontario
What’s covered? The only dental services that the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers are certain dental surgeries performed in a hospital setting, either due to the complexity of the procedure or unrelated medical conditions that require close monitoring. Reconstructive surgeries, tumor removal, and fracture repair all fit into this category, as do certain medically necessary tooth removals. Standard wisdom tooth removal does not.
- Healthy Smiles Ontario (ages 0-17): Children in households that meet income-based eligibility requirements qualify for 100% coverage of routine, preventive, and emergency dental services as determined by a qualified dental care provider.
- Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (ages 65+): Seniors who meet income-based eligibility requirements can receive free routine dental care, including exams, cleanings, tooth repair, X-rays, oral surgery and anesthesia, endodontic services, and periodontal services.
See Healthy Smiles Ontario and Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program for more.
What to look for in a private dental insurance plan: Since only children and seniors in low-income households qualify for public dental coverage, most Ontario residents can benefit from a private dental insurance plan. Look for a plan that covers routine preventive and restorative care, and consider enhanced coverage if you need things like dentures, orthodontics, or major procedures.
Public dental insurance in Quebec
What’s covered? Under Quebec’s public health plan (RAMQ), certain oral surgeries performed in hospitals are covered for everyone. These include tumor removal, fracture reduction, or the draining of an abscess. Children under the age of 10 can receive free services performed in either a hospital or dental clinic, including annual and emergency exams, X-rays, fillings, tooth extractions, and endodontics—but routine cleaning, scaling, fluorides, and orthodontics are not covered.
- Recipients of financial assistance: If you are a recipient of financial assistance and have a valid claim slip, you and your dependents can get coverage for certain emergency, routine, preventive, restorative, and major dental services, depending on how long you have been receiving assistance.
- Program Respecting Certain Services Provided by Dental Hygienists: Children under 10 years of age and recipients of financial assistance with a valid claim slip can get certain free dental services, such as dental cleaning, from dental hygienists who practice independently and have a signed agreement with RAMQ.
See Dental Services for more.
What to look for in a private dental insurance plan: If you live in Quebec and don’t receive financial assistance, your children may have coverage for routine dental care, but you likely don’t. A plan with basic dental benefits may be enough for many households, but you might need additional coverage if you or your children need major services like orthodontics.
Public dental insurance in Saskatchewan
What’s covered? The Saskatchewan Health system doesn’t cover routine dental services. Partially-covered services for all Saskatchewan residents include limited oral surgery to treat problems caused by accidents, infection, or congenital defects; limited orthodontic services to treat cleft palate; medically-required tooth extractions under some circumstances; and dental implants (in exceptional circumstances only).
- Family Health Benefits: Children in low-income working families are eligible for coverage of most dental services.
- Supplementary Health Benefits: Qualified individuals, including those enrolled in Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID), Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS), or Saskatchewan Employment Incentive (SEI), may receive coverage for emergency dental coverage as well as basic services, including preventive, restorative, exodontic, and prosthetic dental care.
See Family Health Benefits and Supplementary Health Benefits for more.
What to look for in a private dental insurance plan: Because most dental services aren’t covered in Saskatchewan for the majority of residents, a wide range of private dental plans could meet your needs. Think about routine, non-covered services you’re already using, as well as major services you expect to need in the near future.
Do I need private dental insurance in Canada?
If you qualify for dental coverage through the Canadian Dental Care Plan, you likely don’t need private dental insurance in Canada. To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:
- Adjusted family net income under $90,000: Your adjusted net income is your family’s net income minus any universal child care benefit (UCCB) or registered disability savings plan (RDSP) income, plus any UCCB or RDSP repayments.
- Canadian residency: You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, and you (and your spouse or common law partner, if applicable) must have filed your tax returns in Canada the previous year. Without that tax information, your income can’t be assessed and you’ll be ineligible.
- No access to other dental coverage: If you have access to dental insurance through your employer (or your partner’s), a professional/student organization, pension benefits (yours or a family member’s), or private coverage purchased by or for you, you won’t be eligible for coverage.
If you meet all of the above criteria, you should be eligible for dental insurance through the CDCP. Because the plan’s coverage is so extensive, you likely don’t need any other form of dental insurance.
According to the CDCP website, coverage for orthodontics will be added to the CDCP in 2025. That said, orthodontic services are not covered for the time being, so you may need to purchase private dental insurance if you or your child need this type of dental care, which is almost never covered by provincial plans.
If you don’t qualify for the CDCP and want to reduce your out-of-pocket spending on dental care without reducing services, you likely need private dental insurance.
How much does dental insurance cost in Canada?
The cost of private dental insurance in Canada varies considerably, in part because dental insurance is often folded into private healthcare plans that also include coverage for prescription drugs, paramedical services, and more. However, some private healthcare plans focus primarily on dental coverage, with monthly premiums ranging from about $60/month to $172/month or more.
One of the cheapest private dental insurance plans in Canada is PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Dental Care plan, which starts at $63.20/month for residents of Saskatchewan.
How much could private dental insurance save you?
According to Statistics Canada, Canadian households spent an average of $541 in out-of-pocket dental spending in 2023. British Columbia had the highest average dental spending, at $666 per household, while households in Newfoundland and Labrador spent just $211, on average.
Based on those figures, the maximum annual savings from a private dental care plan like PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Dental Care is approximately $433 per household. Keep in mind that dental insurance plans also typically come with additional health coverage—such as coverage for paramedical services—that may add to your overall savings.
Everyone’s different—the average calculations above might not match your unique situation.
Start by calculating what you spent on dental care in the past year. Include any services that a private dental insurance plan would cover, such as routine exams, cleanings, or fillings. Then, estimate the cost of any major services that you anticipate needing for yourself or a household member in the next few years, such as crowns, bridgework, oral surgery, or orthodontics.
Once you’ve got a clear picture of your current and potential future dental spending, request dental insurance quotes from private insurers and compare the premiums to your potential savings.