Oral health is a human right. Benefiting from proper dental care should not come as a financial drain or mental strain to anyone. However, if you live in Canada, you are probably well aware of the skyrocketing dental care costs. That’s why every Canadian needs to have access to dental insurances and coverage plans.
In this blog, we will introduce you to the best dental insurances in Canada, including Manulife, Sun Life, and Green Shield Insurance, and detail their pros and cons so that you can decide which one suits you best. Furthermore, we will introduce you to government-funded dental care programs you can benefit from.
Why Dental Insurance Matters in Canada
While many healthcare emergencies are covered by provincial health plans in Canada, dental care is not. That is why many Canadians must pay out of pocket for their emergency dental care. This makes many patients look for affordable dental care and dental insurances that offer reasonable premiums and deductibles.
Coverage Benefits
One of the most important reasons to choose dental insurance is the coverage plans offered. Many Canadians seek private dental insurance for excellent coverage benefits. Some private insurers provide up to 100% coverage for preventive care and up to 80% for basic procedures, depending on the plan. Additionally, certain insurers offer plans designed specifically for seniors.
Dental care costs in Canada can be significant, creating a financial burden for some. This drives many to seek dental insurance to cover at least a portion of the costs.
Top Dental Insurance Companies in Canada
Choosing the best dental insurance company that offers the best coverage plans and has the smoothest claim process while fitting your budget can be a headache. We understand your concern; that’s why we have created a list of Canada’s top dental insurance companies which gives you a comparative vantage point into what coverage plans each company offers and whether or not they suit you.
1. Manulife
Manulife offers diverse dental and health insurance plans, including Flexcare, Health & Dental Guaranteed Issue Enhanced, and FollowMe, providing flexible options. Flexcare offers comprehensive coverage, often suitable for seniors (65+), covering preventive and restorative care.
Guaranteed Issue Enhanced includes pre-existing conditions, and FollowMe provides 15-30 days of emergency medical travel coverage, which may extend to dental in select plans.
Pros
Varied plans cover basic, emergency, and preventive care, with tailored options for couples with children and seniors.
Cons
Some customers report slow response times, delayed claims processing, and long waiting periods. Like most insurers, coverage for cosmetic procedures is limited or excluded.
2. Sun Life
Sun Life is a well-established leader in Canada’s dental insurance market, known for its reliable and flexible offerings. It provides dental coverage primarily through Personal Health Insurance (PHI) plans, with customizable tiers such as Basic, Enhanced, and sometimes Standard or Premier options. These allow you to select coverage that aligns with your needs and budget, including preventive, basic, and major procedures.
Pros
The plans cover preventive care (often 100%) and major procedures (up to 50-80%, depending on the plan). It’s a reliable company with a strong reputation and one of Canada’s largest dentist networks, making it easy to find a dentist who accepts their plans.
Cons
Sun Life’s premiums can be higher than some other companies. Like most dental plans, they have a yearly limit (for example $750-$2,500, depending on the plan). Once you hit this limit, you’ll need to pay for any extra dental costs yourself.
3. Green Shield Canada (GSC)
Green Shield Canada offers flexible health insurance plans that include prescription drugs and dental care. You can pick a plan that fits your budget and needs, like one with just dental or a mix of health and drugs.
Pros
GSC has two main plan types: ZONE (for those without group coverage) and LINK (for people leaving group plans). Many options, like ZONE 2, 3, Fundamental, and all LINK plans, guarantee acceptance with no medical questions. There’s no wait for basic and preventive dental care. It covers up to 80% of basic procedures.
Cons
It doesn’t cover cosmetic dental work, and major procedures get only partial coverage. Plan details can vary by province, which might confuse some customers.
4. Canada Life
Canada Life offers flexible dental plans like Select and Select Plus. These fit your budget and cover dental needs, such as check-ups, fillings, and crowns. They’re a good pick if you have pre-existing conditions that other insurers rejected.
Pros
It pays higher rates for preventive and basic dental work, up to 85%, making it great for routine care. The app lets you submit claims easily with no extra papers. There’s no age limit to join, so seniors can sign up anytime.
Cons
Compared to others, premiums are higher for major dental work than some rivals. While claims are simple to file via the app, following up can be tough, and reaching support takes time.
5. Medavie Blue Cross
Medavie Blue Cross is a well-recognized name in the health insurance industry in Canada and it has a large network of coverage providers and dentists.
Pros
- Flexible plans like Entry, Essential, and Enhanced fit different budgets and needs.
- Many plans offer direct billing, so you pay less upfront at the dentist.
- Higher reimbursement rates and lower deductibles often apply after staying with a plan for a year or more.
Cons
- Some major dental work, like crowns or bridges, has long waiting periods before coverage kicks in.
- Coverage varies by province, which can be confusing.
- Some customers report issues with slow or unhelpful customer support.
6. TD Insurance
TD Insurance partners with Green Shield Canada to offer health and dental plans like ZONE and LINK Health Assist. These are provided by Green Shield but sold through TD.
Pros
The notable benefit of this plan is the swift process of receiving dental coverage, sometimes immediately after signing up, that reduces the waiting period and increases customer satisfaction. If you are retired and moving on from a company sponsored plan, this is a great option for you.
Cons
The complicated plan details may be confusing to some and cause mistakes in choosing the right plan and lead to unfavorable results. If you only need minor dental work, this may not be the right plan for you, because of the high premiums.
7. RBC Insurance
RBC Insurance is a trusted name in Canada, known for reliable group benefits that build customer confidence. Let’s explore its pros and cons.
Pros
Compared to other plans, it has a really quick claim processing which is often 2-3 business days. It also has its own app that allows the patients to submit their claim request and check the reimbursement procedure. It is especially a good fit for employers for group benefits for its dental service packages.
Cons
It only covers group plans and not individual plans, which results in different coverage plans provided by different employers. Similar to most plans, it does not cover cosmetic procedures.
8. Desjardins Insurance
Known for its dental insurance plans, Desjardins offers additional coverage to its clients that includes other health problems as well. It also offers discounts for signing up for multiple plans.
Pros
It’s great for quick coverage on preventive and basic dental work. Also, the Enhanced plan pays up to 100% for preventive care. You should use the app or website to file and track claims easily.
Cons
Some plans don’t clearly list yearly benefit limits, so you might run out of coverage faster than expected. Major procedures in Enhanced plans often have a 9-24 month waiting period, which can be tough for patients.
9. Industrial Alliance (iA Financial Group)
iA Financial Group is a solid choice for newcomers to Canada. It offers multilingual customer support and plan info in multiple languages to help you pick the right coverage.
Pros
The “Transit” plan bridges the gap if you’re leaving or joining a group plan—no medical exam needed, just apply within 60 days. It provides strong group employer coverage, including dental, with higher annual reimbursement caps than some rivals.
Cons
Dental coverage is bundled in group health plans, not standalone, which disappoints those wanting dental-only options. Some plans have age limits, like ending certain benefits at age 70. Premiums, deductibles, and rates aren’t always clear upfront, making it hard to decide.
10. Beneva (formerly SSQ + La Capitale)
Beneva is best suited for employer/ group plans as they offer coverage that suits organizations’ size and budget. It uses a “Block” system for its coverage plans, in which Block 1 covers basic, Block 2 covers restorative, and Block 3 covers orthodontics procedures’ costs.
Pros
Routine dental checkups are reimbursed within 48 to 72 hours. There is no waiting period for original enrollment of the plans and the benefits are immediately activated.
Cons
It doesn’t offer individual or couple plans. Long waits for major reimbursements, claim denials, and weak customer support have hurt its reputation for years.
11. Group Medical Services (GMS)
Group Medical Services is the perfect plan for those who want to make sure they’re covered in case of an accident. Furthermore, GMS offers “Replacement Health” plans with guaranteed acceptance for people losing their previous coverage.
Pros
It provides competitive reimbursement rates, up to 80% (or 100% in higher plans) for basic and preventive dental care. Coverage improves over time: Year 1 at 75% up to $500 max, Year 2 at 80%/50% up to $750, and Year 3 at 80%/50% up to $1,000.
Cons
Orthodontics coverage is limited, often with age restrictions (under 19) and waiting periods. Annual caps ($500-$2,000) mean no more coverage once reached, frustrating some customers.
Government-Funded Dental Care Plans in Canada
In recent years, some govermental programs have been introduced to reduce the financial burden of dental care on Canadians which are exaplained in the following.
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a government sponsored program designed to provide access to dental care for Canadians who don’t have any insurance coverage. This program is available for individuals who meet the following requirements:
- They do not have access to any other dental insurance plan whether through their employers or their spouses.
- They have an adjusted family net income of under $90,000.
- They are a Canadian resident and a tax payer and have filed in their tax returns in the year prior to the one applying for the program.
Furthermore, CDCP offers special dental coverage plans for seniors. The individuals who fit the above criteria will receive invitations to apply through letters. The key point to remember about the application process is that it should be renewed every year for the individual to stay on the program.
Read more: Eligibility & Benefits of the Dental Plan for Seniors in Canada
Public Service Dental Care Plan (PSDCP)
Public Service Dental Care Plan (PSDCP) is a program specifically designed to cover dental procedures and supplies that are not covered through provincial or territorial health or dental care plans. The important rule to remember is that those who qualify for PSDCP are not eligible for CDCP.
Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)
Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) or Temporary Health Care is a special health and dental care insurance program that is offered to refugees, asylum seekers, and some individuals who have just arrived in Canada. This program is designed to cover health and dental care costs for these individuals until they find their footing in Canada.
Read more: Find an IFHP Dentist in Toronto and North York
Contact Us for Expert Whitening Solutions!
At Walk In Family Dental, we offer affordable dental care services, and we suport the CDCP. Please contact us and get the dental care you need that suits your budget.
How to Choose the Right Dental Insurance Plan
Now that you have gathered some information about some of the top dental insurance companies in Canada, it’s time to choose one that suits you best. To do so, keep the following points in mind:
Identify Your Dental Care Needs
Prioritize your dental care needs, and understand what procedures you need to get done first and fast. If you have an underlying health condition that might need extra coverage, go for companies that have more lenient policies. If you are only in need of coverage for basic and preventive dental procedures, you’ll find luck with many of the companies above.
Set a Realistic Budget
Understand and decide your budget carefully. Many companies have long waiting periods for claim processing and reimbursement. As a result, you might have to pay out of pocket for the services you need every once in a while. If you can’t afford high premiums and up-front expenses, look for companies that offer fast and even immediate coverage.
Choose a Plan That Fits Your Situation
Examine your situation and choose plans that offer extra benefits for people in your position. If you are between jobs and have lost coverage, look for programs that offer a transit plan.
If you are married and have children, opt for plans that offer special coverage for couples and children. And finally, if you are single and look for individual plans, go for a program that at least covers your basic and preventive dental procedures.
Your Healthier Smile Begins with the Best Dental Insurances in Canada
Everyone should have access to the dental care they need, whether they can immediately afford it or not. From trusted names like Blue Cross and Sun Life to flexible options like GMS and Beneva, there’s a plan for every need and budget. While no plan is perfect, comparing coverage, premiums, and reimbursement rates can help you find the best fit.
For those eligible, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) offers a valuable public option for low-income Canadians without private coverage. At Walk In Family Dental, we support CDCP and welcome all patients to book an appointment for quality restorative, emergeny, cosmetic or general dentistry care in North York. Visit our website or call us today to schedule your visit!
FAQ
Is it worth buying dental insurance in Canada?
The short answer is yes. In Canada, dental care is not covered by national programs which burdens many citizens with the skyrocketing costs. Buying dental insurance is a decision that would be worth it in the short and the long run since it covers some of the medical expenses.
What is the new dental insurance in Canada?
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is the new government funded program that has been recently introduced and approved by many for its benefits.
Which company is the best for dental insurance?
The answer to this question depends on your dental care needs and budget. Right now, the top three dental insurance companies in Canada are Manulife, Sun Life, and Green Shield Canada.
Is teeth whitening covered by insurance in Canada?
Teeth whitening is not covered by all dental insurance plans since it is considered a cosmetic procedure.
Have you tried any of these dental insurance companies in Canada? Share your experience or let us know which one you think offers the best coverage in the comments below!
