Your Guide to Dental Insurance in Newfoundland
Your dental insurance options in Newfoundland, from provincial benefits to private plans
Newfoundlanders have several dental coverage options to choose from:
- Medical Care Plan (MCP): The MCP covers medically necessary hospital services in Newfoundland, like emergency oral surgery, but no basic or preventative dental care.
- Provincial coverage for children and low-income people: The Children’s Dental Health Program covers 100% of basic, preventative, and restorative dental services and exams for kids 0–12 in Newfoundland. The Income Support program covers exams and fillings (but no cleanings) for kids 13–17 whose families receive income support. The Adult Dental Program covers exams, fillings, and dentures for people enrolled in the Foundation Plan of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP).
- Federal dental coverage: The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) covers basic and preventative dental care for eligible residents who fit the age and income requirements.
- Private health insurance: If you don’t qualify for government-sponsored dental coverage, you can purchase dental health benefits through private health insurance enrollment.
Nearly 1 in 4 residents in Newfoundland & Labrador have no dental insurance, including 56% of seniors aged 65 and older, according to Statistics Canada.
What dental services does MCP cover?
Newfoundland’s provincial health plan, MCP, only covers dental services that:
The MCP does not cover:
Kids in Newfoundland do have some coverage for basic services, as do families who receive income support.
How much does dental insurance cost in Newfoundland?
In Newfoundland and Labrador, dental care is available for children and low-income families through provincial programs and the CDCP. If you qualify, you will receive your benefits at low or no cost (depending on your family’s income level).
If you and your dependents don’t meet the eligibility criteria for federal or provincial dental benefits, a standalone dental care plan through a private insurance company could cost between $26 and $110/month, depending on the insurance provider and plan you select.
To give you a sense of how much you might pay for dental insurance coverage in Newfoundland, the table below compares premiums for different age groups in Newfoundland & Labrador under PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Dental Care plan.
* Average monthly premiums as of November 2025
According to Statistics Canada, the average N.L. household spent $211 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 $168.80/year by swapping out those steep out-of-pocket dental bills for affordable premiums.
Top 4 companies for private dental insurance in Newfoundland
The top 4 dental insurance companies in Newfoundland are PolicyMe, Manulife, GreenShield, and Canada Life.
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 start at $52.70/month for adults aged 18–44 in Newfoundland.
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. Manulife
Why it made our list: Manulife is a well-established insurer with health and dental plans available in Newfoundland and across the country. You can choose from two Flexcare tiers: Basic or Enhanced.
Basic offers 50% coverage capped at $575 in the first year and $750 in the second year and beyond. It includes check-ups every nine months, as well as coverage for fillings and cleanings. It doesn’t cover major dental work like bridges and crowns, nor does it cover orthodontic treatment.
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 $102.60/month for adults aged 18–44 in Newfoundland.
3. GreenShield
Why it made our list: GreenShield offers a variety of guaranteed acceptance plans, including our top picks. Zone 3 covers 80% of basic services and comprehensive services up to $600 in the first year, $800 in the second year, and $1,000 from the third year onward. Major services are covered at 50%, subject to the annual maximum, but only in year 3. The basic Zone 3 plan doesn’t cover orthodontics.
Zone 2 is more basic, with no coverage for major services. You’ll get 80% coverage for basic services and 50% coverage for comprehensive basic services in the first year, increasing to 80% in year 3 up to a maximum of $800 per year. Zone Fundamental caps your reimbursements at $450 per year, offering 70% coverage for basic and comprehensive basic services.
Premiums start at $77/month for Zone 2 and $84/month for Zone 3 for adults aged 18–44 in Newfoundland.
4. 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 orthodontics, but the plan should cover the basics for most Newfoundland 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 Select Plus and Elite plans.
Premiums for the Select plan start at $77/month for adults aged 18–44 in Newfoundland.
How to choose the right dental insurance plan in Newfoundland
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you find the right dental plan in Newfoundland:
- Check your eligibility: Do you qualify for any free provincial or federal programs that offer dental care? Check with the Department of Families and Affordability if you’re not sure about provincial programs. Have your tax return ready for the CDCP.
- Add up current expenses: What are you currently spending on dental care for you and your household? Add up out-of-pocket spending on cleanings and fillings.
- Think about future expenses: Do you know you’ll need more cleanings, or perhaps orthodontics, bridgework, or dentures? Add up the next year’s worth of dental care costs.
- Find the gap: Do some basic math and find the total you have spent and will spend on dental care this year. Divide that sum by 12 to figure out your monthly insurance cost. If you can find insurance for less than this, you’ll be saving money!
- Research plans: You know which services you’ll need, so start comparing plans. Use the list above or ask your friends and family. Research what the plans cover, waiting periods, exclusions, and co-pays. Can you bundle a life insurance and health care plan? Do you also need drug coverage and mental health benefits? Most health plans start with personal health care with dental add-ons.
- Get quotes: You’ve narrowed down the list to plans that cover what you need, so now you can request prices. Try to compare rates from three different companies to ensure you’re not overpaying for your coverage.
No single dental insurance plan is right for every person or family in Newfoundland. If you have excellent oral health and you never need supplemental services, then paying out-of-pocket could be cheaper for you. But remember, you won’t have coverage for unexpected costs.
FAQ: dental insurance Newfoundland
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.