Your Guide to Dental Insurance in Alberta
Your dental insurance options in Alberta, from provincial benefits to private plans
Alberta residents have several options for dental health insurance:
- Provincial plan: The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) includes some coverage for certain oral surgeries performed in a hospital, but most dental care isn’t covered.
- Federal and low-income dental plans: The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), Alberta Adult Health Benefit, Alberta Child Health Benefit, and the Dental and Optical Assistance Program all cover routine dental care, but eligibility is based on your income and age. Seniors automatically qualify for some dental care in Alberta.
- Private health insurance: If you don’t qualify for government-sponsored dental coverage, you can purchase dental health benefits through a private health insurance company.
Approximately 1 in 5 Alberta residents have no dental insurance, including 34% of seniors aged 65 and older, according to Statistics Canada.
What dental services does AHCIP cover?
Under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), the only oral health care services covered are certain dental surgeries performed in a hospital setting.
AHCIP may cover the following situations:
AHCIP does not cover routine dental health services:
Be aware that “the extraction of wisdom teeth or any routine dental treatment alone is not considered to be extensive dental rehabilitation” and is not covered by AHCIP, according to its Schedule of Medical Benefits.
You may be covered for some routine services through the Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors Program, Alberta Adult Health Benefit, or the Alberta Child Health Benefit plans.
- Seniors with low to moderate incomes: Seniors are eligible for diagnostic x-rays, preventative services, fillings, extractions, root canals, and dentures.
- Kids and adults with low incomes: Kids are eligible for basic and preventative services like fillings, x-rays, examinations, and cleanings. Adults are eligible for basic services like extractions, fillings, and dentures, as well as preventative care like x-rays, examinations, and cleanings.
Is Alberta opting out of the federal dental plan?
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith stated back in 2024 that the Alberta government plans to opt out of the federal dental plan, CDCP, by 2026.
That said, the future is unclear. Many thousands of Albertans applied, were approved, and have already received dental care through the CDCP. The Alberta Dental Association is pushing for clarity to ensure that dental offices and Albertans understand their coverage.
How much does dental insurance cost in Alberta?
Low-income residents in Alberta get free dental care through a federal or provincial health care plan. You may pay nothing for covered services if your age and income qualify you for dental care through the Adult Health Benefit, Child Health Benefit, Dental and Optical Assistance Program, and/or CDCP (for the moment).
If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for federal or provincial dental insurance, you can expect to pay between $40 and $140 per month for a standalone dental care plan through a private insurance company.
To give you a sense of how much you might pay for dental insurance in Alberta, the table below compares premiums for different age groups in Alberta under PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Dental Care plan.
* Average monthly premiums as of April 2025
According to Statistics Canada, the average Alberta household spent $588 on dental services in 2023. Buying a simple health insurance plan with dental coverage, like PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Dental Care option, could save you up to $411/year by swapping out those steep out-of-pocket dental bills for affordable premiums.
The top 4 companies for private dental insurance in Alberta
Our top 4 insurers for dental coverage in Alberta include PolicyMe, Sun Life, Manulife, and GreenShield. Let’s look at each dental provider more closely.
1. PolicyMe
Why it’s our top pick: PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Dental Care insurance plan has comprehensive coverage at the lowest price when compared to other Canadian dental insurance plans. This means you can get affordable routine cleanings, as well as major services like crowns and bridges, for less money—and the application process is fast and digital.
Under the Dental Care plan, 80% of all basic preventative and restorative services are covered with no waiting period, subject to an annual maximum of $750 in year 1 and $900 in subsequent years. You’ll also get 60% reimbursement for comprehensive services like root canals and periodontal treatment, plus coverage for major services starting in year 3.
Premiums start at $73.30/month for adults aged 18–44 in Alberta.
If you’d like your dental insurance to come with a healthy helping of medical coverage for things like prescription drugs, paramedical services, and vision care, consider the Guaranteed Issue Classic plan, which includes the same dental coverage as the Dental Care plan. The Advanced Plan offers even more comprehensive dental benefits, including coverage for orthodontics starting in year 2.
2. Sun Life
Why it made our list: Health insurance from Sun Life comes with optional dental coverage with explicit waiting periods and tiers that vary by plan: Basic, Standard, Enhanced.
The PHI Standard plan offers 70% coverage for preventative dental care, up to $750 maximum per year. There is a three-month waiting period, and no coverage for restorative care or orthodontics. The Basic plan offers 60% coverage for basic services up to $500 per year, with no coverage for restorative or orthodontic services.
The Enhanced Plan is the most comprehensive, with 80% coverage and a $750 annual maximum. It covers orthodontics after a 2-year waiting period, as well as crowns and dentures after the first year.
Premiums start at $58.20/month for adults aged 18–44 in Alberta.
3. Manulife
Why it made our list: Manulife offers flexible coverage options with reasonably high annual maximums. With Flexcare, it’s $750 per year after year 2 on the Basic plan with check-ups every nine months. On the Enhanced plan, it’s $920 maximum per year covered with check-ups every six months.
The Basic plan does not cover oral surgery, orthodontics, crowns, bridges, or dentures—but it does cover fillings. The Enhanced Plan covers 80% of oral surgery starting in year 3 and 60% of orthodontics starting in year 2.
If you have pre-existing conditions, the Guaranteed Issue plan may work for you. Premiums will be higher, but the plan covers 80% of the cost of routine and extensive dental services up to a $450 maximum per year.
Premiums start at $116.20/month for adults aged 18–44 in Alberta.
4. GreenShield
Why it made our list: GreenShield has flexible dental options for Albertans, and this company is known for its progressive dental coverage (where benefits increase over time). It has guaranteed acceptance, but note that neither plan covers orthodontics.
The Zone 2 and Zone 3 plans cover 80% up to the annual maximum for basic services. The Zone 2 plan does not cover any major services, whereas the Zone 3 plan pays 50% up to the annual maximum (available in year 3). Annual maximums are higher with Zone 3 ($600 in Year 1, $800 in Year 2, and $1,000 per year after Year 3).
Premiums start at $92/month for adults aged 18–44 in Alberta.
How to choose the right dental insurance plan in Alberta
To pick the best dental coverage in Alberta, you’ll need to consider a few variables that are specific to you and your healthcare needs:
- What are you eligible for? Alberta residents may be eligible for income-based provincial and federal plans, but you need to check if you qualify. Tax returns can help you calculate. If you’re self-employed, you don’t have employer coverage.
- What are you currently spending on dental care? Figure out how much you spend right now on cleanings and check-ups for yourself and your household.
- What do you estimate you’ll pay in the future? If you paid out-of-pocket for future dental services, add up those costs. For instance, consider orthodontics, bridgework, or dentures that you or other members of your household may need.
- Add up the gap: Tally up your current and predicted dental spending to estimate what you’d spend on oral care as a household. Divide that sum by 12 to find the dental insurance gap.
- Research plans: Now that you know the gap, you can look for plans that fit your care needs and save you money. Start with the plans above or speak to family and friends. Carefully research the waiting periods, co-payments, exclusions, and eligibility criteria.
- Get quotes: It’s free to request quotes from insurance companies, so go wild. Request dental insurance quotes and compare the cost of monthly insurance against the coverage gap you calculated earlier.
There’s no single best dental insurance plan for every person in Alberta. Take your time and select a plan that fits your unique needs, or work with a licensed insurance advisor to sort through your options.
FAQ: Dental insurance in Alberta
Prices listed on this page are based on information available as of October 2025. The prices shown are for general reference only and may vary based on factors like your age, location, and product selection.