How to Get Financial Help with Dental Costs
No one should ever have to hide their smile. Yet this is an unfortunate reality for millions of Canadians who need expensive or unexpected dental treatment.
While many health needs in Canada are covered by government health insurance, this isn’t the case with common dental care. This means that most Canadians pay for their dental care with a workplace or personal insurance plan, or pay out-of-pocket.
With over 35% of Canadians not paying for dental insurance, 65% of citizens haven’t seen a dental professional in the last 12 months due to the high costs of treatment. Even with insurance, some basic—and most significant—treatments are only partially covered. So, while dental insurance does provide a financial safety net for many, it doesn’t cover everything.
If you don’t know how to get help with dentist costs, don’t lose hope. Below, we uncover seven resources to help you regain your confident smile without the financial burden.
A breakdown of common dental costs
Depending on the type of dental work you need, the cost of visiting a dentist can vary greatly. The cost of your treatment will also depend on the dentist you see.
Let’s break down typical out-of-pocket dental costs, from a routine visit to an expensive surgery:
- Routine teeth cleaning costs between $100 to $150. With x-rays, this cost can increase to over $200.
- Gum disease affects roughly 21% of all Canadians. For those impacted, a periodontal examination of the gums, bone, and other supporting tissues of teeth costs roughly $236.
- Dental fillings are required when a cavity develops, something that happens to most people during their lifetime. Tooth filling costs in Canada vary. For example, without insurance, composite resin fillings range from $200 to $500 per tooth. Gold and ceramic fillings can cost over $1,000 per tooth.
- A root canal is a common procedure necessary to repair a tooth infected at the root. The average root canal cost in Canada ranges from $300 to $2,000, depending on the procedure you need.
- Tooth extraction costs between $150 to $300 in Canada, depending on whether the tooth is erupted or impacted and if surgical anesthesia is used. This procedure is necessary for certain damaged or infected teeth.
- A dental implant is a surgical procedure that requires an artificial root to anchor a replacement tooth. The full dental implant cost ranges from $1,000 to $4,000, depending on the procedure that’s required.
- Dentures can cost up to $2,000, depending on the quality of the dentures and how much work is needed. The average cost for a full denture in Canada is roughly $1,800, while a partial denture can cost between $1,300 and $2,000.
- Depending on your dental conditions, the average cost of orthodontic braces in Canada ranges from $3,000 to $10,000.
Read more: Spotlight Statistics About Medical Debt You Need to Know
7 ways to get help with dental bills
Everyone should have access to the dental treatment and healthcare they need, and figuring out how to pay for your dentist costs doesn’t need to be stressful.
From nonprofits that help with dental costs for seniors to low-cost dental clinics and the government’s Canada Dental Benefit, these seven options can help you or your loved ones find financial assistance for dental work and oral health.
1. Dental schools
Government dental assistance options are available to dental schools and public health clinics, allowing them to offer discounted services to those in need. Check the list of accredited dental schools the American Dental Education Association compiled – this includes schools in Canada.
Dental work is performed by a student—under the supervision of a licensed dentist—for a fraction of the cost. Services include cleaning services, polishing, checkups, and more. To book an appointment, inquire about availability and the services you need.
Remember that appointments may take longer due to students working under supervision and needing to do a thorough examination.
2. Online fundraising
Thousands of people have turned to crowdfunding as a great way to find financial relief for unexpected dental costs. There is no shame in asking those who care about you for help—and in fact, your story can be so powerful that even strangers may be moved to donate. You can find tips here on how to write a compelling story for your fundraiser.
Crowdfunding also means you receive support from your community, which can be priceless in a time of need. Do research on the best crowdfunding sites in Canada to determine one that works for your needs.
Consider using online fundraising to help cover expensive dentist costs, such as tooth extraction and dental implants, and use the following medical fundraising tips to make sure your fundraiser is a success:
- Host a fundraising event, like a barbeque or car wash, as a way to bring family and friends together around your cause. Events like these provide a great opportunity to ask for donations in a relaxed environment.
- Build a community around your fundraiser, and consider sharing on social media to increase donations.
- Regularly update your fundraiser, and follow up with donors to let them know how their donation made an impact.
3. Public dental clinics
The Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry (CAPHD) is the national voice for dental public health in Canada, supporting members, government, institutions, and agencies who are dedicated to improving oral health for Canadians. They’ve listed federal and provincial government dental programs you have access to depending on the province of Canada you live in.
Reach out to your local public health unit for more details on eligibility.
4. Charities offering financial assistance
There are also many charities that offer financial assistance to Canadians for dental work that insurance may not always cover. Below are a few organizations that may be able to help.
Alberta Dental Foundation
The Alberta Dental Foundation is a charitable foundation that works to improve access to dental care for Canadians on low incomes. They provide funding to charitable organizations in the local community engaged in dental wellness activities.
TREC Dental
TREC Dental is a group of socially conscious dentists who want to give back to communities both locally and internationally. They volunteer their services at organizations around the world, providing dentistry to people who don’t have access. Organizations they work with include The Mustard Seed, Calgary Food Bank, and The World Partnership Walk.
Henning Emergency Clinic of Kindness
The Henning Emergency Clinic of Kindness offers quality not-for-profit dental care for marginalized individuals, low-income families, seniors, and those on Ministry Assistance. This includes the homeless and working poor who reside within the South Okanagan. They cater to individuals experiencing dental pain and/or infection.
5. Dental financing
If you need to finance the cost of dental work, there are a few options available. Keep in mind that these options require an application with some restrictions, and that interest will add up if the balance is not paid in full by the due date.
Choose financing for dental work carefully. Check your dentist’s payment plans, and compare rates, terms, and repayment flexibility. Consider your budget, the urgency of dental work, and your financial situation.
- Fairstone provides loans for medical bills, medical procedures, surgeries, and dental services. They offer loans ranging from $500-$50,000 for eligible Canadians.
- A 0% APR credit card charges no interest for new purchases or balance transfers for an introductory period, typically 6 to 20 months. During the introductory period, you can pay for dental procedures without interest.
- Always negotiate your dental bill before starting treatment. Some dentists may offer discounts to uninsured patients.
6. Medical tourism
More and more Canadians are finding that it’s far cheaper to travel abroad for a medical procedure than to get the same procedure at home. This practice, known as medical tourism, can be beneficial if you’re willing to pay the upfront costs of travel to save more on the dental procedure in the long run.
A few of the top medical tourism countries are the UK, Singapore, Israel, Germany, India, Colombia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.
Medical tourism to cover dentist costs can save money but has risks.
- Research the reputation, qualifications, and standards of care of dental facilities abroad.
- Evaluate the credentials of dental professionals, clinic accreditation, and patient reviews.
- Be aware of language barriers, differences in regulations, and challenges in follow-up care.
- Ensure adherence to international health and safety standards.
Research diligently and understand the risks before choosing this option for dental care abroad.
7. Government assistance for dental costs
- The Canada Dental Benefit is intended to help lower dental costs for families earning less than $90,000 per year. Depending on someone’s adjusted family net income, a tax-free payment of $260, $390, or $650 is available for each eligible child. A maximum of two payments per child is available.
- Depending on where you live in Canada, you’ll have access to a variety of location-specific federal and provincial government dental programs. You should contact your local public health unit to enquire about services available in your local community.
- Veteran Affairs (VA) allows veterans to qualify for VA dental care benefits and get some or all of their dental care through the VA.
Crowdfunding can help with dental costs
Plenty of Canadians have turned to fundraising as a way to help with dentist costs, as there are no application deadlines or qualifications and no waiting periods to receive help.
Taking care of your health is crucial, but it can be challenging if you are facing financial difficulties. By sharing your story honestly, you can raise awareness and encourage people to donate to your fundraiser. This way, you can get the support you need to deal with your medical expenses and focus on your recovery with peace of mind.