Best Dental Insurance Plans in Canada (2026): Compare Coverage & Costs
PolicyMe’s Dental Care is one of the best dental insurance plans in Canada, with up to $900/year in combined benefits after your first year and premiums starting at $73/month.
Top dental insurance plans in Canada
The best dental insurance plans in Canada include plans from PolicyMe, GreenShield, and Manulife.
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Ontario.
Best for comprehensive dental care with no waiting period: 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 with no waiting period. If you already have (or don’t need) prescription drug coverage, this may be the most cost-effective option.
Who should consider it: Canadians in need of broad dental coverage with no prescription drug coverage
Best for low-cost routine dental care: 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.
Who should consider it: Seniors, freelancers, singles
Best for no waiting period: 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+.
Who should consider it: Budget-conscious shoppers, freelancers, young adults in good health
Best for bundled coverage: 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.
Best dental insurance plans with no waiting period
The best dental insurance providers with no waiting periods for basic services are PolicyMe, Manulife, Greenshield, and Desjardins. Major dental services may be subject to waiting periods, depending on the plan.
Dental insurance is often subject to a waiting period of months to years. This means you could show up to your dental clinic for a scheduled procedure and find your coverage has yet to kick in.
How dental insurance plans work 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 treatments, from basic care to major services, orthodontics, and more.
If you don’t have workplace or private dental insurance, you may qualify for coverage through the CDCP, though there are eligibility requirements.
What does the CDCP cover and who qualifies?
The Canadian Dental Care Program helps Canadians access eligible dental services. Depending on your income, the CDCP may cover some or all of the cost of your dental procedures. Some dental services covered by the CDCP include:
- Diagnostic and preventative services: dental exams, X-rays, cleaning, fluoride applications, sealants
- Basic services: restorative services (fillings, pain control), endodontic services (root canals), and periodontal services (cleaning under the gumline, treating abscesses)
- Major services: restorative services (crowns), removable prosthodontic services (dentures), and oral surgery (tooth removal, cyst removal, treatment for fractured jaw)
- Anesthesia or sedation services: nitrous oxide, oral sedation, conscious sedation, deep sedation or general anesthesia
To receive dental coverage through the CDCP, you must meet all four eligibility requirements:
- You have no access to private dental insurance or coverage.
- Your adjusted family net income is less than $90,000.
- You are a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
- You filed your tax return in Canada.
If you’d like to learn more about the CDCP and whether you qualify, check your eligibility at Canada.ca.
Who needs dental insurance in Canada?
Most middle- and high-income Canadian adults need private dental insurance to cover routine services at a dental office, 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, like teeth cleanings and flossing, is included in all private dental plans, you may need to select a higher level of coverage to get reimbursement for your real dental health expenses.
Not sure where to start? Explore 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.
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.
Take a minute to add up the total amount you’ve spent on dental care—from routine dental 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 October 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. For families, the need for dental insurance may be even bigger: every family member represents a set of cleanings, X-rays, and filings, and children may need orthodontics or accidental dental services on top of routine care.
“Compared to individuals, families should prioritize higher coverage limits, strong dental and vision benefits, and things like child-focused care or mental health support. It’s also important to look at how the plan handles claims per person versus per family, since costs can add up quickly. It’s about finding a plan that’s flexible, comprehensive, and built to handle real-life situations, not just the basics.” - Luke Robar, Licensed Insurance Advisor
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 dental professionals warn that 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):
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
How to get dental insurance in Canada
You can get dental insurance in Canada by comparing quotes online, choosing a plan that fits your needs, and applying for coverage.
- Compare quotes online: Get a personalized quote in minutes from providers like PolicyMe after you answer a few questions about your budget and healthcare needs.
- Pick a plan: Review your options, and compare premiums, limits and maximums, waiting periods, and exclusions to find the right plan.
- Submit an application: Complete your application and wait for a response from the provider.
Applying for coverage doesn’t guarantee you’ll be approved. If you have pre-existing conditions or ongoing health issues, PolicyMe offers guaranteed-acceptance plans with no medical questionnaire, which may increase your chances of approval.
If you’d like to check your eligibility for dental insurance through the CDCP, you can create a My Service Canada Account (MSCA) or call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342.