The Best Dental Insurance Plans in Canada, Ranked (2026)

The best dental insurance plans in Canada, ranked

To find the insurance companies with the best dental coverage in Canada, we focused on personal health insurance plans that exclude prescription drug coverage and focus instead on key benefits like dental services, vision care, and mental health coverage.
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^{* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Ontario. ‍}

^{‍** Comparison reflects the total amount of coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.}

1. Dental Care by PolicyMe

Why we picked it: Robust dental coverage, no cost padding

PolicyMe’s Dental Care strikes the best balance between comprehensive coverage for a wide range of dental services—including major procedures after Year 2—and affordable premiums. If you already have (or don’t need) prescription drug coverage, this may be the most cost-effective option. 

2. ZONE 2 (Primary) by GreenShield

Why we picked it: A low-cost solution for the basics

GreenShield’s ZONE 2 plan won’t cover major dental services like crowns, bridges, or oral surgery. If you’re looking for simple, affordable coverage for routine services, it may be a good option. 

3. BasicPlan with Dental Care by GMS

Why we picked it: Middle-of-the-road coverage with great rates for seniors

Older Canadians win out with GMS’s highly customizable health and dental plans, including the budget-priced BasicPlan. While it offers less coverage, it’s a simple solution for seniors’ dental needs. 

4. DentalPlus Basic by Manulife

Why we picked it: Prompt coverage, low reimbursement

Unlike some other plans, Manulife’s DentalPlus Basic won’t make you wait to use your dental benefits. However, it lacks coverage for major services and only reimburses 50% of your dental costs in Year 1, with more generous reimbursement rates unlocked in Year 2+. 

5. Guaranteed Issue Economic by PolicyMe

Why we picked it: All-around coverage at an approachable price

Our only dental insurance pick that includes coverage for prescription drugs, PolicyMe’s Economic plan puts most of its coverage towards dental, vision, and mental health care, with excellent coverage for emergency dental services. 

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Looking for orthodontic coverage?

One major gap in the five dental insurance plans we’ve highlighted is coverage for orthodontic services, which typically aren’t covered by private insurance in Canada. If you’re looking for coverage for orthodontic treatment, you may want to consider premium alternatives from two of our top-rated dental insurance companies: the Advanced plan by PolicyMe and the DentalPlus Enhanced plan by Manulife.

How dental insurance works in Canada

Under Canada’s healthcare system, Canadians can get coverage for dental services through five channels:

• The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP): The federal CDCP offers partial coverage for basic, preventive, restorative, and major dental care for eligible low-income Canadians. 
• Provincial health insurance: Most provincial healthcare plans cover very limited dental care—typically only medically necessary dental surgeries performed in hospitals. 
• Government programs for special groups: In many provinces, supplemental government programs may subsidize the cost of some dental care for select groups, such as children, seniors, people with certain disabilities, or low-income residents. 
• Group insurance plans: Workplace benefits often include dental insurance, which may cover routine preventive care like checkups and X-rays, as well as restorative services such as fillings. 
• Private health and dental insurance: Like group insurance plans, private dental insurance purchased as a standalone policy or as part of a health insurance plan may cover a wide range of dental services, from basic care to major services, orthodontics, and more. 

Most middle- and high-income Canadian adults need private dental insurance to cover routine services, either through their employer or through an individual plan. However, everyone’s dental needs are different. 

When evaluating whether you need private dental insurance—or trying to pick a dental insurance plan—take stock of the types of dental care you use regularly, as well as any major services you expect to need in the coming years. While routine preventive dental care is included in all private dental plans, you may need to select a higher level of coverage to get reimbursement for your real expenses.

Not sure where to start? The table below defines the key categories of dental care, whether they’re covered by public healthcare, and how likely they are to be included in an average private dental insurance plan.

How much does dental insurance cost in Canada?

The cost of dental insurance in Canada depends on the plan you select, your age, and your province. For residents of Ontario, for instance, our picks above range from premiums as low as $88/month to $240/month for adults up to age 44.

It’s important to weigh the cost of dental coverage against the cost of not having it. According to Statistics Canada, Canadian households spent an average of $541 in out-of-pocket dental expenses not covered by public or private healthcare in 2023. What’s more, PolicyMe’s 2025 Healthcare Access and Affordability Study found that 29% of Canadians paid over $1,000 out of pocket in the past 12 months for health/dental services. 

And that’s only taking into consideration the dental services that Canadians did pay for. PolicyMe also found that dental care is the most commonly delayed healthcare service in Canada, with 35% of people saying they’ve put off or skipped getting care due to the high cost of services. 

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Estimate your dental care costs

Take a minute to add up the total amount you’ve spent on dental care—from routine cleanings to fillings, extractions, or major work—in the past 12 months. Divide that total by 12 and compare it to the monthly cost of a dental plan from PolicyMe in your province.

^{* Average monthly premium for adults aged 21-44. Rates are accurate as of February 2026}

Is dental insurance worth it in Canada? 

It’s worth buying private dental insurance in Canada if the cost of dental coverage is less than the amount you regularly spend out of pocket on dental work that’s not covered by your provincial health plan or group benefits. 

For most adults in Canada, dental services aren’t covered by public health insurance. And for those without access to workplace benefits—such as single self-employed or retired Canadians—there’s no other way to get coverage for these procedures. 

Skipping dental care isn’t a safe option. According to Statistics Canada, 15.4% of Canadian adults aged 18 to 34 describe their oral health as “fair or poor.” What’s more, 22% say they have persistent or ongoing mouth pain, and 13.9% say they sometimes avoid eating particular foods due to problems with their mouth in the last 12 months. Not only can untreated dental issues cause problems on their own—from bad breath to pain and difficulty eating—but persistent neglect of oral health can contribute to physical health problems like cardiovascular disease. 

The bottom line: If you don’t have access to free dental benefits through your provincial health plan or a group plan, the cost of private dental insurance is likely worth it—even if it only covers routine exams and cleanings. 

How to choose the best dental insurance for you

Not sure how to sort through all the details and find the plan that actually meets your needs? Follow the steps below to identify the dental insurance with the most coverage you need (and the least coverage you won’t use): 

1. Determine your coverage needs: What type of dental services do you already use, and which do you plan to use in the future? If you just want coverage for routine checkups and preventive care, your needs will look different from a family with teens in need of braces or seniors in need of dentures. 
2. Add up your current spending: Take stock of all the dental bills you’ve paid out of pocket in the past 12 months. Divide that number by 12 to get your average current monthly out-of-pocket dental spending — that is, the cost of dental services not covered by your current insurance coverage. 
3. Get estimates for any anticipated major services: If you’re in search of dental insurance to help cover the cost of major services you’re expecting to need, try to get an estimate for the cost of those services. Add that estimate to your out-of-pocket spending total and divide again to calculate your expected monthly spending.  
4. Request dental insurance quotes: Once you understand your coverage needs and ongoing and anticipated costs, it’s time to request quotes for dental insurance plans that match your unique insurance profile. 
5. Calculate your potential savings: Take note of reimbursement rates, annual maximums, exclusions, and deductibles to see how much each plan might save you. If you’re spending less than $75/month on dental care, you likely won’t save money by purchasing dental insurance. But if your costs (including anticipated costs) exceed the quotes you receive from dental insurers, you may save money by investing in coverage. 

Once you’ve identified the plan with the best fit for your needs, you can fill out an application to finalize your offer. Be aware: while many dental insurance plans (including PolicyMe’s) offer guaranteed acceptance with no medical exam, some require more thorough underwriting. If you have pre-existing conditions, you could see your rates go up following the underwriting process. 

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Don’t forget about health insurance

We’re focused on dental insurance in this article, but dental insurance plans in Canada come with some level of health benefit as well. Consider whether you’d use these benefits and how much value they represent to you when selecting a dental plan.

FAQ: Best dental insurance in Canada

Prices listed on this page are based on information available as of March 2026. The prices shown are for general reference only and may vary based on factors like your age, location, and product selection.