Your Guide to Dental Insurance in Manitoba
Your dental insurance options in Manitoba, from provincial benefits to private plans
There are three dental insurance options in Manitoba, but only two cover basic care:
- Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan (MHSIP): The MHSIP covers only medically necessary services in a hospital, such as emergency oral surgery. There is no provincial dental coverage for children or adults who need basic and preventative care.
- Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP): This federal program provides free dental treatments to qualifying Canadians (kids and adults) in Manitoba and across the country. Age and income eligibility apply.
- Private health insurance: If you don’t fit the eligibility criteria for government-sponsored dental coverage, you can purchase dental health benefits through a private health insurance company.
Nearly 1 in 4 Manitoba residents have no dental insurance, including 58% of seniors aged 65 and older, according to Statistics Canada.
What dental services does MHSIP cover?
MHSIP, Manitoba’s provincial healthcare plan, will only cover emergency dental services that take place in a hospital:
MSHIP does not cover:
How much does dental insurance cost in Manitoba?
Some Canadians who qualify for oral health care through CDCP will receive the benefits free of charge in Manitoba—but depending on your income level, you may need to cover a portion of the bill.
If you don’t meet the eligibility requirements for the federal program, a standalone dental care plan through a private insurance company could cost between $35 and $105/month, depending on the insurance provider and benefits plan you select.
To give you a sense of how much you might pay for dental insurance benefits in Manitoba, the table below compares premiums for different age groups in Manitoba under PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Dental Care plan.
* Average monthly premiums as of April 2025
According to Statistics Canada, the average Manitoba household spent $391 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 $312/year by swapping out those steep out-of-pocket dental bills for affordable premiums.
The top 4 companies for private dental insurance in Manitoba
Our top 4 insurers for dental coverage in Manitoba include PolicyMe, Canada Life, Manulife, and Sun Life. Let’s take a deeper look at each one.
1. PolicyMe
Why it’s our top pick: PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Dental Care insurance plan offers the most comprehensive slate of covered dental services—from routine cleanings to major services like crowns and bridges—at the lowest price in our analysis of Canadian dental insurance plans.
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 for health coverage start at $57.39/month for adults aged 18–44 in Manitoba.
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. Canada Life
Why it made our list: If you’re in search of low-cost dental insurance without a lot of bells and whistles, Canada Life’s Select plan might be a good fit. This is a fully underwritten health plan with dental coverage. It covers 70% of routine dental service up to $350 per person per year. You won’t have access to coverage for major services or for orthodontics, but the plan should cover the basics for most Canadian families.
If you need a little more coverage—say, for crowns or bridgework—then Canada Life’s Elite plan covers 50% of major dental work up to $750 per person per year. Expect a higher premium for the Elite and Plus plans.
Premiums for the Basic plan start at $78/month for adults aged 18–44 in Manitoba.
3. Manulife
Why it made our list: Manulife is an established insurer that offers individual health and dental plans in Manitoba (and nationwide). With Flexcare, you can choose from two tiers: Basic or Enhanced.
Basic offers 50% coverage and is capped at $575 in the first year and $750 in subsequent years. It includes check-ups every nine months, cleanings, and fillings, but it doesn’t cover major work (like bridges and crowns) or orthodontics.
Enhanced is capped at $840 the first year and $920 the second year, with check-ups every six months. There is some coverage for oral surgery, major services, and orthodontics starting in year 2.
Premiums start at $97/month for adults aged 18–44 in Manitoba.
4. Sun Life
Why it made our list: Sun Life offers three tiers of personal health plans with optional dental add-ons in Manitoba. There is no dental-only plan, which means this could be a good option if you want coverage for both dental and health services.
The Standard plan is our top pick, offering 70% reimbursement for preventative care and an annual maximum of $750. The Basic plan covers 60% up to $500. Both have a three-month waiting period.
The Enhanced plan offers 80% coverage up to $750, and it includes restorative services at 50% up to $500 per year and orthodontics (60% up to $1,500 lifetime maximum). There are waiting periods to keep in mind: 3 months for preventative care, 1 year for restorative care, and 2 years for orthodontics.
Premiums for the Standard Plan start at $91.38/month for adults aged 18–44 in Manitoba.
How to choose the right dental insurance plan in Manitoba
Here are the key variables to consider when picking the best dental coverage in Manitoba:
- Start with free: Are you eligible for the free CDCP? Manitoba residents who fit the age and income criteria can get dental care with up to 100% coverage. You may need a tax return to qualify.
- Consider current spending: How much are you currently spending on routine care, like cleanings and check-ups? Think about you and others in your household.
- Think about the future: Do you expect to spend money on dental care in the future? Consider standard cleanings as well as major dental work, like bridgework, orthodontics, or dentures for members of your household.
- Add up the gap: What is the dental insurance gap between your current expenditures and the amount of coverage you truly need? Find the monthly figure by dividing the total sum by 12.
- Look at plans: Start with the plans above, or ask family and friends for recommendations. Look carefully at coverage options, waiting periods, co-payments, and exclusions.
- Get quotes: Request quotes from multiple companies with plans that fit your needs. Now, compare the monthly cost of insurance with the coverage gap you calculated. Is there a winner?
Ultimately, no single dental insurance plan is right for every person in Manitoba. Think about your specific needs and find a plan that fits, so you don’t overpay for coverage you don’t need.
“Compared to individuals, families should prioritize higher coverage limits, strong dental and vision benefits, and things like child-focused care or mental health support. It’s also important to look at how the plan handles claims per person versus per family, since costs can add up quickly. It’s about finding a plan that’s flexible, comprehensive, and built to handle real-life situations, not just the basics.” —Luke Robar, Licensed Insurance Advisor
FAQ: Dental insurance in Manitoba
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.