If you don’t have dental insurance, dental care costs can add up quickly. Most provincial health insurance plans in Canada don’t provide coverage for regular dental check-ups and treatments. With over 30,000 different dental insurance plans in Ontario alone, there is no one-size-fits-all dental insurance plan – we are here to help you choose the best dental insurance plan for you.
Whether you have employer-provided or a stand-alone dental insurance plan, they work the same way. Dental insurance plans can offer different levels of coverage based on your needs, so it’s important to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered. Most dental plans operate with a 100-80-50 coverage structure.
Dental plans commonly cover 100% of preventative care (like regular cleaning and check-ups), 80% of basic dental services (like pulling teeth and filling cavities), and 50% for major dental care work (like root canals, dental surgery, crowns and bridges).
Dental insurance plans in Canada typically pay for a percentage of the costs associated with services that are covered under the plan. The amount of coverage and what they cover varies from plan to plan. In general, there are three types of fees that are associated with dental insurance plans: monthly premium fees, the deductible, and copayments.
Premium: No matter which dental insurance coverage you choose, you will have to pay a monthly premium fee just to maintain your dental insurance coverage.
Deductible: The amount that you must pay before your insurance provider begins paying for the services that they will be covering. Whatever the deductible amount, your insurance will only apply once you’ve covered the deductible amount by paying for your treatment costs first.
Copayment: The portion of the cost of each dental treatment that you have to cover is called the copayment. It is often a predetermined amount that should be stated in your dental insurance plan.
Most dental plans remain in effect for a minimum of one year, meaning that you’ll be paying a monthly premium fee throughout the whole year. This means that you shouldn’t book all your dental work within the first month of your dental insurance coverage and should consider scheduling routine dental visits instead – with the exception of dental emergencies.
Preventative care visits or regular check-ups can be covered instantly or within a 30-day period. Basic dental services may be covered after 3 months, and major dental care work after 6 months. Be sure to check how much your insurance plan covers throughout a calendar year as this varies from plan to plan. When choosing a dental plan that works for you, make sure to factor in potential waiting periods. As a policy holder, knowing what is and isn’t cover can encourage a healthy oral care routine.
Choosing the right dental insurance plan for yourself and your family will depend on a number of factors. Some questions that you should consider when choosing a plan include:
Dental insurance doesn’t have to be complicated. At the Preston Dental Centre, we are here to help you make sense of your dental coverage and to choose the best insurance plan for your needs. If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
A modern, centrally located dental office that employs some of the most advanced dental equipment and instrument sterilization techniques makes Preston Dental Centre a unique health care facility. The warm inviting offices, natural light in every room and professional staff will all confirm that PDC is unlike any dental office you have visited before.
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