Dental Care Costs in Canada

Dental care in Canada has historically not been covered under the public Medicare system, making it one of the largest out-of-pocket health expenses for Canadians. A routine dental cleaning typically costs C$200–C$400, while a single filling ranges from C$150–C$350 depending on the province and complexity. Root canals cost C$800–C$1,500, and dental crowns range from C$900–C$1,500.

In 2023, the Canadian government launched the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), a significant expansion of public dental coverage. The plan targets uninsured Canadians with a family income under C$90,000, with no co-pays for those earning under C$70,000. The programme is being rolled out in phases, starting with seniors and gradually expanding to all eligible Canadians.

Approximately 35% of Canadians have no dental insurance at all, while about 60% have some form of employer-sponsored dental benefits. The quality and extent of private dental coverage varies widely, with many plans covering only 50–80% of major procedures and imposing annual maximums of C$1,500–C$2,500.