Your Guide to Dental Insurance in Nova Scotia
Your dental insurance options in Nova Scotia, from provincial benefits to private plans
In Nova Scotia, you’ve got several options for dental insurance coverage:
- Medical Service Insurance (MSI): MSI covers medically necessary dental care that occurs in a hospital, such as emergency oral surgery. It does not cover cleanings or fillings.
- Provincial and federal programs: Children up to age 14 receive free coverage through the Children’s Oral Health Program, and adults may be eligible for basic services, prosthodontics, and surgeries through the province’s Individuals with Special Needs Oral Health Program. The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal plan that covers NS residents who fit the income requirements.
- 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.
More than 1 in 4 Nova Scotia residents have no dental insurance, including 65% of seniors aged 65 and older, according to Statistics Canada.
What dental services does MSI cover?
MSI does not cover any dental services, but there are provincial programs in Nova Scotia that cover dental care for children as well as adults who have special needs:
- Children 0–14: Once per year, every child can receive a free exam, two x-rays, one preventive service, one fluoride treatment, and one scaling through the Children’s Oral Health Program.
- Special needs individuals: Basic dental services are covered for special needs individuals who require anesthetic to undergo dental care.
- Facial irregularities and cleft palate: Surgeries, in-hospital consultations, pre- and post-operative care are covered for eligible Nova Scotians who need oral or maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics, or cleft palate surgery.
In all cases, you must use your private insurance first before the provincial program will provide coverage.
Dentists in Nova Scotia can apply for coverage on behalf of their patients for treatment services that are medically necessary and not covered under any other Department of Health and Wellness Dental Program. Services must be pre-approved for coverage first, and you have to use private insurance (if any) before this coverage will be considered.
How much does dental insurance cost in Nova Scotia?
In Nova Scotia, dental care is free to kids 0–14 and special needs adults. If your age and income qualify you for dental care through the federal CDCP, you receive your benefits free of charge.
If you don’t meet the eligibility requirements for federal or provincial dental insurance, a standalone dental care plan through a private insurance company could cost $40 to $102/month or more, depending on the insurance provider and plan you select.
To give you a sense of how much you might pay for dental insurance in Nova Scotia, the table below compares premiums for different age groups in Nova Scotia under PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Dental Care plan.
* Average monthly premiums as of November 2025
According to Statistics Canada, the average Nova Scotia household spent $366 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 $292.80/year by swapping out those steep out-of-pocket dental bills for affordable premiums.
Top 4 companies for private dental insurance in Nova Scotia
The best 4 private dental insurance companies in Nova Scotia are PolicyMe, Canada Life, Desjardins, and GreenShield.
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 $98/month for adults aged 21–44 in Nova Scotia, and the application form is 100% online.
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 for you and your dependents. 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 Nova Scotia families.
If you or a family member needs 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 higher premiums for the Elite and Plus plans, around $176 and $140 per month, respectively.
Premiums for the Basic plan start at $79/month for adults aged 18–44 in Nova Scotia.
3. Desjardins
Why it made our list: Desjardins has a simple option for personal health care with dental in Nova Scotia. The Enhanced benefits plan covers 100% of exams and X-rays every two years, as well as 100% of cleanings and fluoride applications every six months. It also covers wisdom teeth removal, dentures, root canals, and orthodontics.
The Basic plan covers 80% of basic exams and X-rays every 36 months, and 80% of cleanings and fluoride applications every nine months.
Premiums start around $70/month for adults aged 18–44 in Nova Scotia.
4. GreenShield
Why it made our list: These are all guaranteed acceptance dental policies from GreenShield, a common oral health provider in Nova Scotia. 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. Major services are covered at 50%, subject to the annual maximum, but only in year 3. Orthodontics are not covered in the basic Zone 3 plan.
Zone 2 is more basic, with no coverage for major services. You 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 is capped at $450 per year, with 70% coverage for basic and comprehensive basic services.
Zone 2 premiums start at $77/month for adults aged 18–44 in Nova Scotia.
How to choose the right dental insurance plan in Nova Scotia
You’ve got great options for dental coverage in Nova Scotia, but the right one for your family depends on certain variables. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Eligibility for free programs: Start by researching if you’re eligible for free dental coverage through the province or the federal plan, CDCP. You may need your tax return to qualify.
- Add up your current spending: What are you already spending out-of-pocket on dental care? Tally up the costs of cleanings and fillings you’ve paid for this year already.
- Estimate future expenses: What do you plan to spend this year on dental services? Perhaps you know you’ll need bridgework or dentures, or you know your child will need orthodontics.
- Add it up to find your insurance gap: Add up your current and future dental expenses to find your annual dental costs, then divide by 12 to find a monthly figure. If you can find insurance that costs less than your expenses, you’ll be saving money.
- Research plans: Start with the providers listed above and ask your friends. Who covers the services you need? Carefully consider the exclusions, waiting periods, and co-payments.
- Get quotes: Ask for free quotes to compare costs for the plans that fit your needs. Do any insurers offer coverage for less than your out-of-pocket costs? Make sure you read some customer reviews to make sure the company is cheap and effective.
The truth is that no single dental insurance plan is right for every Nova Scotia household. Every family is different, so take the time to review your household’s dental insurance needs to narrow down your best fit.
FAQ: dental insurance Nova Scotia
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.