What to know about dental insurance in Canada ...
Overview:
Taking good care of your teeth is expensive. That’s where dental insurance comes in. Canadians can get dental insurance in one of two ways – government programs or private insurance.
Government dental insurance is available via the Canadian Dental Care Plan, but eligibility is limited. Private insurance is often available through an employer or can be purchased independently; coverage varies from plan to plan and what’s right for you will depend on a few factors. Read on to learn more.
THE CANADIAN DENTAL CARE PLAN (CDCP)
The CDCP officially began providing care to certain age groups on May 1, 2024. Since then, eligibility has expanded and more Canadians are covered. But there’s still confusion about the program.
Who is eligible?
The CDCP is currently open to all Canadian residents for tax purposes with an adjusted net family income of less than $90,000.
What does the CDCP pay for?
The CDCP pays a percentage of the cost of eligible services. The percentage is determined by your family income. You pay any fees not covered by CDCP directly to your dental care provider.
Adjusted family net income | % the CDCP covers | % you cover |
|---|---|---|
< $70,000 | 100% | 0% |
$70,000 - $$79,999 | 60% | 40% |
$80,000 - $89,999 | 40% | 60% |
What's covered?
*Some services require pre-authorization
For a more detailed breakdown of coverage, visit the Government of Canada website: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/coverage.html
Does the CDCP replace private dental insurance?
Yes. To be eligible for the CDCP you cannot hold any private dental insurance, including through employer benefits, a pension plan, student plan, or coverage you’ve purchased directly from a private insurer.
How do I apply for the CDCP?
You can check your eligibility and apply on the Government of Canada website: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html. Applications for the next benefit year opened on June 2nd, 2026.
PRIVATE DENTAL INSURANCE AT A GLANCE
If you are not eligible for government dental programs and don’t have coverage through an employer, it’s a good idea to consider private dental insurance. The options vary widely, from fully comprehensive plans including health and dental, to lower cost, lower coverage plans, and dental-only plans.
We typically recommend a more comprehensive plan for a few reasons.
- They provide the best long-term value – you’ll be covered for more as your overall health needs change or if unexpected health issues arise.
- You’ll have better overall protection – higher maximums and more covered services mean fewer out of pocket expenses for you
Health Plus PRIORITY and OPTIMUM plans are a good place to start. Here’s the dental coverage they include.
Header |  PRIORITY | OPTIMUM |
|---|---|---|
Sample Rate* | $129.00 | $167.00 |
Basic Dental Maximum | $600 / year $1000 / year after 24 months | $1000 / year $1500 / year after 24 months |
The plan pays: 70% | The plan pays: 80% | |
Waiting Period? | No | No |
Recall exam frequency | Every 9 months | Every 9 months |
Major Restorative Dental Maximum (including Crowns, Bridges, Dentures) Eligible after 18 months plan membership | $400 / year $600 / year after 30 months | $600 / year $1000 / year after 30 months |
The plan pays: 50% | The plan pays: 50% | |
Accidental Injury to Teeth | No maximum | No maximum |
Cell | The plan pays: 70% | The plan pays: 90% |
*Represents monthly rate for single coverage. Same rate for all ages. Qualification required. Rates subject to change.
Health Plus PRIORITY and OPTIMUM plans also include comprehensive health coverage:
CONSIDERING PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE IF YOU HAVE CDCP COVERAGE?
It’s important to remember the CDCP only provides dental care. Without additional private insurance, you are remain on the hook for many expenses, including prescription drugs, paramedical treatments (massage, physio, chiro, etc.), medical devices, private hospital accommodation, out-of-country health expenses, mental health care, and more. A private health insurance plan offers protection in case of unexpected health issues. With rising healthcare costs, without insurance, those out-of-pocket expenses can be unaffordable.
Does Health Plus offer plans without dental?
Yes. Several options without dental are available. Our advisors would be happy to help you compare and choose the best option for your needs and budget. Additional plan options are available.
PRIORITY Excluding Dental | OPTIMUM Excluding Dental |  Manulife DrugPlus Enhanced |  GreenShield Zone 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sample Rate* | $95.00 | $125.00 | $142.40 | $90.00 |
Prescription Drugs | $30,000 / year 70% | $30,000 / year 90% | $10,000 90% of first $2,222, 100% of next $8,000 | Year 1-2: $2,500 Year 3+: $3,500 80% |
Paramedical | Up to $600 per category, 70% (Pre-approval required after $250 / type of practitioner, $600 combined) | Up to $1000 per category, 90% (Pre-approval required after $300 / type of practitioner, $750 combined) | Up to $500 per category, 80% | $400 per practitioner ($40 per visit limit) |
Mental Health Care | Up to $600 / year psychology/social work + Inkblot Member Assistance Program + Tranquility digital CBT program | Up to $1000 / year psychology/social work + Inkblot Member Assistance Program + Tranquility digital CBT program | $80 / first visit or $65 / subsequent visits x 15 visits psychologist / psychotherapist/ clinical counsellor (combined) | $400 / year combined psychologist/ social worker/ psychotherapist GreenShield Mental Health, 4 hours virtual counselling (2 individual, 2 couples) |
Vision | NOT INCLUDED | Glasses & Contact Lenses Years 1-2: $200 / 2 years Years 2+: $300 / 2 years Eye Exams $75 / 2 years | Glasses & Contact Lenses $250 / 2 years Eye Exams $70 / 2 years | Glasses & Contact Lenses $150 / 2 years Eye Exams $80 / 2 years |
Semi-Private Hospital | 100% | 100% | NOT INCLUDED | NOT INCLUDED |
Travel Emergency Health | 60 days / trip | 60 days / trip | 9 days / trip | 15 days / trip |
Telemedicine | Maple Virtual Care - unlimited | Maple Virtual Care - unlimited | Telus Health Virtual Care | GreenShield Telemedicine - 4 visits / family / year |
Cell |
*Represents monthly rate for a 45-year-old Ontario resident, single coverage. Qualification required. Rates subject to change. The above is a summary of coverage only. Additional terms and conditions apply.
FAQs - More Info about Dental Insurance
Private dental insurance is for anyone not covered through an employer-sponsored plan, including self-employed Canadians, business owners, and retirees.
An annual or semi-annual cleaning is usually pretty easy to budget for. But dental bills can skyrocket, particularly as you age or if you're ever diagnosed with a gum condition. Private plans also offer tons of additional benefits and coverage that helps protect from other unexpected healthcare costs. We don't typically recommend dental only plans for this reason - you lose out on other benefits and pay for dental coverage you may have been able to fit into your budget.
Yes, if you're self-employed or own a business health and dental insurance is tax deductible. This means your out-of-pocket expenses go down.
Coverage varies between plans. Some do include a waiting period but many cover dental care from day one. It is common for plans to cover basic services from day one and then expand to offer higher maximums or more extensive coverage such as major restorative services after a certain amount of time on the plan.
This depends on your plan. Typically, your dental office can submit a claim electronically on your behalf. Some plans reimburse the dentist directly and you only pay the difference between the total dentist bill and the amount your insurance covers. Other plans require that you pay the dentist directly in full and the insurance company reimburses you. With most plans you can get a direct deposit to your account within a few days after the claim is received.
Have more questions about dental insurance? Our advisors can help
We'll help you compare plans based on your needs, both current and future, and pick the best plan for you.