However, even if you are diligent about brushing and flossing at home, routine trips to the dentist are essential to maintaining good oral health. Because good oral health and overall good health go hand in hand, you should think of your dentist as a part of your healthcare team.

Routine trips to the dentist can also be expensive, and provincial insurance plans do not cover any maintenance dental care. As a result, more and more Canadians are skipping regular trips to the dentist. However, that is a mistake that can have long-term consequences. Without proper preventive care, small, inexpensive problems can become large, expensive ones.

A Canada dental insurance plan can help minimize the out-of-pocket costs associated with dental care.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re wondering whether or not you can afford to purchase a Canada dental insurance plan.

The Cost of Dental Insurance

There are several costs associated with dental insurance in Canada, including premiums, deductibles, and co-payments/co-insurance. It is important to take all of these costs into consideration when evaluating a Canada dental insurance plan.

• Premiums. You will be required to pay monthly premiums for your insurance coverage.
• Deductibles. Some dental insurance plans require participants to pay a deductible. This is the amount an individual or family must pay for dental care before the insurance provider begins paying for covered services.
• Co-payments/Co-insurance. If your policy has a deductible, once you have met it , you may be required to pay a portion of your dental bills in the form of a co-payment or co-insurance. For plans that do not have a deductible, co-insurance will start immediately.

You must add up all of these out-of-pocket expenses to determine the total cost of a dental insurance plan.

The Cost of Dental Care

The cost of dental insurance may seem high when you add up the monthly premiums, deductible and co-payments/co-insurance you must pay. However, having adequate coverage can actually save you money.

If you do not have dental insurance and your provincial plan does not cover the dental care you need, you won’t just have to pay a portion of the cost associated with your treatment—you will be responsible for paying the total cost. This can range from a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand dollars, depending on the treatment you need.

For example, the average cost of a routine cleaning is approximately $200, while the average cost of a root canal ranges from $800-$1200. Additional treatment can be even more expensive, and the government does not regulate dental care fees. Each dentist has the ability to set his or her own prices, and it varies greatly based on many factors, including the location of the dental office. It is important to shop around and compare prices before receiving dental treatment.

Effects on Overall Health

One of the biggest risks of going without dental insurance, and ultimately regular visits to the dentist, is the potential impact of poor oral health on your overall health. Poor oral health has been linked to many chronic health conditions, including diabetes and a host of respiratory diseases. Scientists are also investigating a link between poor oral health and added complications for pregnant women, including pre-term labour and low birth weight in their babies.

As you can see, regular trips to the dentist contribute to much more than maintaining your beautiful smile. When weighing the cost of health and dental insurance premiums, it’s important to look at more than just the dollars and cents. Unsure of how to balance the need for health and dental insurance against the family budget? Working with an insurance broker can make all the difference.

Learn About Your Options

Purchasing dental insurance can help protect you and your family by reducing your out-of-pocket expenses. Private health and dental insurance also give the cost-certainty of a fixed premium every month, rather than the “surprise” of an unexpected bill from the dentist’s office.

However, with so many plans available, choosing one that meets your needs can be challenging. An insurance broker can help you find the plan that is right for you and your family by evaluating your personal circumstances, explaining the different plans that are available and providing a health insurance quote.

Insurance brokers are knowledgeable professionals who can help simplify the sometimes complex language of insurance. Furthermore, insurance brokers work for their customers, not the insurance companies.

With help from an insurance broker, you can choose a plan that offers the protection you need at a price you can afford. Contact us today to get started!