Individual Dental Insurance in Canada: Compare Plans and Costs
What is individual dental insurance?
Individual dental insurance is a health plan you purchase on your own, separate from a work-sponsored plan, to take care of your teeth and oral health.
- Instead of or in the absence of employer or group plans: Individual dental coverage is a good choice for freelancers, self-employed people, contract workers, retirees, or those who do not have access to employer benefits.
- In addition to employer or group plans: Individual dental coverage can help cover dental treatments where group benefits (or government programs) leave gaps.
Dental insurance in Canada can help you manage out-of-pocket costs and get the dental care you need to maintain good oral hygiene and address any issues.
Read more: The best dental insurance plans in Canada
What does individual dental insurance cover?
An individual dental insurance plan may cover a wide range of dental treatments (similar to a group plan). Your exact coverage will depend on the plan you select.
Here’s how dental insurance works: Dental coverage usually falls into three categories—preventive, basic, and major. Each policy will cover each category with a different coverage model, such as 80% covered for preventive services up to $750 per year.
Preventive care
Many policies will cover 80 to 100% of preventive dental treatments, such as:
- Routine check-ups
- Cleanings
- X-rays and exams
- Fluoride treatments
Comprehensive services
Some policies will cover between 50 and 90% of comprehensive dental treatments, such as:
- Fillings
- Extractions
- Periodontal care
Major procedures
Some higher-tier policies will cover major procedures, typically at a lower percentage and with a mandatory waiting period for eligibility. These services could include:
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Root canals
- Dentures
Some plans include orthodontic coverage, though it’s usually around 50 to 70% reimbursement and often with a lifetime maximum of $1,000 to $3,000. Dental insurance does not typically cover cosmetic procedures, like veneers or teeth whitening.
“Usually, any plan that covers north of 75% of the health expenses is considered a strong plan.” —Andrew Ostro, CEO & Co-founder, PolicyMe
Individual vs. group dental insurance
The main difference between individual and group dental coverage is who provides the plan and how flexible it is.
- Individual insurance in Canada gives you more control over coverage, providers, and add-ons. You keep your coverage even if you switch jobs (or lose your job).
- Group coverage is offered through employers or associations, and the company decides which providers and plans to offer. Coverage is tied to your employment and ends if you leave the company.
Whether you go group or individual (or both), remember: price matters, but it’s not the only factor. You need a policy that covers the services you actually need.
Here are two different examples that illustrate when dental coverage is useful.
Freelancer with no workplace benefits
Alex is a self-employed graphic designer and pays $50 per month for private dental insurance. Steady premiums help cover Alex’s two teeth cleanings per year ($600 out-of-pocket otherwise) and partially cover a root canal ($1,200 out-of-pocket otherwise).
Married with partial workplace coverage
Priya’s workplace plan only covers 50% of basic care with zero coverage for major dental work. Priya buys a family dental plan for herself and her partner at $110 per month, which helps cover a crown that would cost $1,500 out-of-pocket if she only had workplace coverage. Priya pays more monthly to supplement her coverage, but this limits her financial risk if she needs a major dental treatment.
Individual dental insurance typically costs $60 to $150
The average cost of individual dental insurance in Canada is between $60 to $150 per month, but it depends on the policyholder, the plan, and the province.
Costs less for: Young people, healthy people, basic plans, low cost-of-living provinces
Costs more for: Older people, unhealthy people, more coverage, higher cost-of-living provinces
Here are sample premiums from PolicyMe for dental-only policies:
A monthly premium is worth it if it saves you from spending more on out-of-pocket expenses.
As an example, 12 months of insurance premiums for a 30-year-old add up to about $873 every year.
Is individual dental insurance worth it?
Individual dental insurance is worth it if it saves you money on out-of-pocket dental expenses for dental care you really need and can’t get elsewhere.
What about work coverage? If you have access, employer health benefits can be great, but they may not cover every service you need and your employer determines the plan options.
What if my teeth are perfect? People with strong oral health who need only basic cleanings may not save money with an individual dental insurance plan. However, unexpected dental issues can be painful and expensive.
What about the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) provides federal dental insurance coverage to eligible low-income individuals. To qualify for CDCP coverage, you must:
- Be a Canadian resident who has filed the previous year’s taxes
- Have no access to group or private dental coverage through work, school, a pension or a spouse
- Have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000 annually
Adjusted family net income is defined as your net income, minus any Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) or registered disability savings plan (RDSP) income received, plus any UCCB or RDSP amounts repaid.
You can calculate your adjusted family net income by adding lines 23600, 21300, and 23200 of your tax return and subtracting lines 11700 and 12500. If you’re filing taxes with a spouse or common-law partner, be sure to include the same lines of their tax return in your calculations.
If you qualify, the CDCP will cover:
- Diagnostic and preventive services, including dental exams, x-rays, cleaning, and fluoride treatment
- Restorative, endodontic, and periodontal services, like fillings, root canals, and gum disease management
- Major services including crowns, dentures, denture repairs, and certain oral surgeries including removal of teeth and roots
- Anesthesia or sedation for dental procedures
The CDCP does not yet cover orthodontic services and will not cover cosmetic treatments. The amount of your dental costs covered by the CDCP depends on your adjusted net income:
Private dental insurance may be a better alternative to the CDCP if:
- You make more than $70,000 per year
- You didn’t file taxes in Canada last year
- You already have group dental benefits but want additional coverage
Top 3 individual dental insurance providers in Canada
Many health insurance companies in Canada offer plans with dental coverage, but for dental-focused plans with no extra coverage for prescription drugs, three companies stand out: PolicyMe, Manulife, and GreenShield.
These companies meet three key criteria for best-in-class individual dental insurance:
- They offer dental-focused plans: All three carriers have private healthcare plans with no prescription drug coverage, which puts a greater focus on dental coverage and eliminates unnecessary or redundant premiums.
- They have high customer ratings: Each carrier has a Better Business Bureau grade of A or higher, with positive reviews from many customers.
- Their coverage beats the competition: Each carrier offers at least one dental insurance plan with more coverage than the industry average.
PolicyMe
PolicyMe offers four private health and dental insurance plans, but the best fit for individual dental insurance needs is the Dental Care plan, with robust coverage for a wide range of dental services and no waiting period for basic coverage.
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Canada.
** Comparison reflects the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.
What’s covered:
- Up to 80% of preventative and restorative dental services (up to $750 in Year 1 and $900 in Year 2+)
- Up to 60% of comprehensive dental services
- Up to 50% of major dental services starting in Year 3
- No coverage for orthodontics
- 100% of accidental dental services (up to $10,000 per year)
Manulife
Manulife’s DentalPlus Basic and DentalPlus Enhanced plans offer excellent dental coverage options for both individuals and families. They’re an especially great option for customers who prefer to pay a higher percentage of out-of-pocket costs in exchange for lower ongoing premiums.
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Canada.
** Comparison reflects the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.
What’s covered:
- 50–80% of basic preventative and restorative dental services (up to $575 in Year 1 and $750 in Year 2+)
- No coverage for major dental services or orthodontics
- 100% of accidental dental services (up to $2,000 per person per year)
GreenShield
For those in search of simple, low-cost dental insurance in Canada, ZONE 2 from GreenShield is an ideal option. Policyholders pay a low premium for robust coverage that excludes major services.
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Canada.
** Comparison reflects the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.
What’s covered:
- 80% of basic preventive dental services (up to $500 in Year 1, $650 in Year 2, and $800 in Year 3+)
- 50–80% of comprehensive dental services
- No coverage for major services or orthodontics
- 100% of accidental dental services (up to $5,000 per year)
While the plans recommended above focus on dental care, they also include other health coverage, like vision care, mental health care, paramedical services, and extended health benefits. Consider your needs in these areas when comparing dental coverage options.
How to choose the right individual dental insurance plan
Choosing an individual dental insurance plan starts with evaluating your needs and ends with applying for coverage. Here’s how to do it.
- Assess your dental needs. Do you need regular cleanings or do you also anticipate major dental work? Do you have others in your household who may need dental coverage? What are you currently paying out of pocket for these types of medical expenses?
- Compare plans. Look for companies that offer the services you need. For instance, if you know you need coverage for major procedures, then you should look for providers and tiers that include these services. Find out about exclusions and waiting periods, too.
- Consider costs. Every plan has a unique price model, including monthly premiums, co-payments, co-insurance, deductibles, and annual/lifetime limits. Do they follow a reimbursement model or direct billing? Do the math and understand how to balance your budget with the coverage you need.
- Listen to the customers. Price matters, but so does the customer experience. Read online reviews and ask your friends and family. Who processes claims quickly? Who is friendly on the phone? Whose application process is simplest?
- Apply for coverage. Some providers, like PolicyMe, have easy online applications with guaranteed acceptance and no medical questionnaire. Gather what you need and request quotes.
FAQ: Individual dental insurance
Prices listed on this page are based on information available as of June 2026. The prices shown are for general reference only and may vary based on factors like your age, location, and product selection.