What is the best family dental insurance in 2025?
- For users without health benefits through their employer
- For users losing their group coverage
- For users without health benefits through their employer
- For users losing their group coverage
The Sun Life Personal Health Insurance Standard Plan is the most popular option in Sun Life’s personal health insurance lineup. It offers a balanced combination of catastrophic drug coverage, emergency travel insurance, and paramedical benefits, making it well-suited for individuals or families transitioning from group plans or seeking dependable private coverage.
Dental coverage is optional and includes 70% reimbursement for preventive care, up to $750 per year, with a 3-month waiting period. Eligible services include exams, x-rays, white fillings, cleanings, minor extractions, and children’s dental sealants. However, restorative dental care and orthodontics are not included in this plan and are only available through the Enhanced Plan as add-ons.
Prescription drug coverage is a strong feature: the plan reimburses 70% of the first $7,000, and 100% thereafter up to $100,000 annually. There’s no deductible, and the plan includes support for smoking cessation drugs (lifetime maximum of $250). Emergency travel coverage is included, with 100% reimbursement for eligible expenses, a $1 million lifetime maximum, and coverage for trips up to 60 days, until age 80.
Other highlights include 100% coverage for paramedical practitioners (up to $300 per type, per year, no per-visit max), vision care up to $250 every two years, and $2,000 for accidental dental injuries. The semi-private hospital room benefit is optional and includes up to $5,000 annually.
Ideal for: Individuals who want a balanced plan with strong drug and travel benefits, and who are comfortable adding dental care separately. If you expect to need restorative dental or orthodontics, the Enhanced Plan offers more complete dental coverage.
- High drug coverage with catastrophic protection
- Emergency travel medical included (up to 60 days per trip)
- Full reimbursement for paramedical services
- Optional dental and hospital room upgrades
- Vision coverage included
- No coverage for restorative dental or orthodontics
- Dental must be added separately
- 3-month waiting period for dental and 1-year for vision care
- Enrolment is guaranteed
- Offers coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Include orthodontic services
- Enrolment is guaranteed
- Offers coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Include orthodontic services
The GreenShield ZONE 5 Choice plan strikes a strong balance between affordability and expanded dental protection. It’s a step up for those needing more than the basics, especially if you anticipate needing crowns, dentures, or even orthodontic care in the near future. This plan requires a health questionnaire but rewards you with higher annual maximums, faster benefit scaling, and broader dental inclusions.
Dental benefits begin at $800 per year, reaching $1,300 by Year 3. Basic dental services are reimbursed at 80%, while comprehensive services start at 60% in Year 1 and rise to 80% by Year 3. Major dental services, like crowns and bridges, are introduced in Year 3 at 50% reimbursement. Orthodontic services are also available in Year 3 at 50% reimbursement, with a $2,000 lifetime max per person.
The plan includes up to $5,000 in prescription drug coverage, telemedicine, increasing vision care up to $250, and robust health practitioner benefits.
Ideal for: People who expect to need both routine and advanced dental care within a few years. A solid option for families with teens approaching orthodontic age or adults planning restorative dental work in the future.
- Includes major dental starting in Year 3
- Orthodontic coverage with generous lifetime max
- Consistent 80%+ reimbursement across dental services
- Higher annual dental maximums for broader coverage
- Health questionnaire required
- Ortho and major services don’t activate until Year 3
- Six-month recall requirement for exams
- Acceptable dental insurance with $1,000 coverage
- Acceptable dental insurance with $1,000 coverage
The GMS EssentialPlan is a foundational replacement health insurance plan designed for individuals transitioning from employer-sponsored group benefits — particularly retirees or new entrepreneurs. It includes essential extended health and dental coverage, with guaranteed acceptance and no medical questions asked.
Dental benefits are solid, with 80% coverage for preventive and basic services and 50% for major procedures, up to a $1,000 combined annual maximum. This includes exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, and dentures, making it a dependable option for maintaining routine dental care after leaving a group plan.
The plan also includes vision care up to $100 every two years (including one eye exam), $500 toward hearing aids every five years, and $600 combined for health practitioners like chiropractors, naturopaths, and osteopaths at 50% reimbursement. You also get unlimited ambulance coverage, $2,000 for accidental dental per injury, and access to the GMS Care Network, including virtual care and counselling services.
Ideal for: Recently retired or self-employed individuals who want affordable and essential coverage, especially if drug coverage isn’t needed. If you need prescription drug support or slightly higher health limits, the ChoicePlan is a more well-rounded step up.
- Strong basic dental benefits, including major procedures
- Unlimited ambulance and good medical equipment coverage
- Guaranteed acceptance with no medical questions
- Access to GMS virtual care and support services
- No prescription drug coverage
- Lower vision and health practitioner limits compared to other plans
- No travel insurance included
- Good quality-price ratio
- Complete basic care coverage
- Good quality-price ratio
- Complete basic care coverage
The Blue Cross Blue Flex Plan is a customizable health insurance solution designed for individuals with or without remunerative work, including self-employed professionals. It offers flexible modules, with strong dental and extended health benefits forming its core. While its dental coverage isn’t the most extensive, it provides a good foundation for routine and essential dental care, making it a solid option for individuals looking to maintain their oral health affordably.
Dental benefits include 80% reimbursement for preventive services (such as exams, X-rays, and cleanings) and 50% for basic services like fillings, extractions, root canals, and periodontal treatments. This Blue Cross health and dental insurance plan has an annual reimbursement maximum of $500 in the first year and $1,000 in subsequent years, with a $50 deductible per person.
Prescription drug coverage is optional for individuals under age 65, covering 80% to 100% of eligible drug costs, including those not listed by RAMQ, provided they meet Blue Cross criteria. Vision benefits include up to $50 every 24 months for ophthalmologist or optometrist visits. Health practitioner services (chiropractors, massage therapists, psychologists, etc.) are covered at $25 per visit, up to a combined $500 annually. Nursing care offers up to 160 hours or $5,000 annually.
Travel coverage is not included, making this plan more focused on domestic, outpatient, and preventive care.
Ideal for: Individuals who want a flexible plan with a solid foundation in dental and outpatient care. It's a great fit for the self-employed or those without group insurance who need essential dental coverage but don't require travel or major extended health limits.
- Includes preventive and basic dental services
- Optional drug coverage and broad range of health practitioners
- Affordable with guaranteed acceptance
- Designed with the self-employed in mind
- Dental reimbursement caps may be low for major procedures
- Basic services only covered at 50%
- Most popular plan from GMS
- LifeWorks plan included
- GMS pay-direct card included
- Most popular plan from GMS
- LifeWorks plan included
- GMS pay-direct card included
The GMS ExtendaPlan® is a mid-range health insurance plan offering broader core benefits than the BasicPlan, with optional drug and dental add-ons for more complete coverage. It’s a popular choice for those looking for a better mix of paramedical, vision, and extended health care services.
With the dental add-on, the plan provides up to $1,000 in year 3 for both basic and major services (e.g., exams, fillings, crowns, dentures), starting at $500 in year 1 with 75%–80% reimbursement as coverage grows. Preventive care like cleanings and checkups are included, with major dental available from year 2 onward.
The ExtendaPlan also includes vision care (80% up to $250 every 2 years), unlimited ambulance coverage, $2,000 for accidental dental, and $3,000 per year for private duty nursing. It also expands paramedical coverage to $350 annually, including more practitioners like massage therapists and physiotherapists.
Ideal for: Individuals and families who want better health coverage across the board, without jumping to top-tier pricing. For those needing more generous limits and specialist reimbursements, the OmniPlan® may be worth the upgrade.
- Strong balance of coverage and affordability
- Dental add-on includes both basic and major services
- Includes vision, hearing aids, and paramedical benefits
- High accidental dental and unlimited ambulance coverage
- Dental and prescription drugs must be added separately
- Major dental services start only in year 2
- Some limits lower than OmniPlan on specialist care
Family dental insurance in Canada is vital because provincial healthcare typically does not cover dental services comprehensively. While it covers some emergency dental care, routine check-ups, cleanings, and major treatments are often not included.
Dental insurance ensures that your family can maintain good oral health without incurring significant out-of-pocket expenses. Family dental insurance is often more cost-effective and practical than individual policies because it covers multiple family members under a single plan.
So, let's take you through the best family dental insurance plans, what they cover, and their pros, cons, and costs. You can also compare family dental insurance plans from Canada's best providers using our free comparator and get personalized quotes for your family right here in no time.
Best Family Dental Insurance Canada Plans
- Sun Life Canada: Various dental coverage options
- GreenShiled Canada: Basic, Comprehensive and Major Coverage
- Group Medical Services (GMS): Supplemental dental insurance plans
- Manulife: FlexCare and FollowMe plans
What is family dental insurance?
Family dental insurance in Canada is an important aspect of overall healthcare. It helps cover the costs associated with dental care for you and your family members. Dental insurance plans in Canada can be obtained through private insurance providers or may be included in some employee benefits packages.
Here are some key details about family dental insurance in Canada:
- Family dental insurance typically covers you, your spouse, and your dependent children.
- It's a cost-effective way to ensure your entire family has access to dental care.
- Premiums are less than personal plans.
- It typically covers a range of dental services, including preventive care, basic procedures, and major procedures.
- Orthodontic coverage, such as braces, may or may not be included in your plan.
- Some plans cover orthodontics for children, while others offer it as an optional add-on.
- The extent of coverage can vary between plans.
- Some plans cover a percentage of the cost, while others have fixed maximum limits for each type of service.
Good to know
In some provinces, government programs like the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) or the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) cover basic dental care for certain demographics (e.g., children or seniors). However, these programs usually have limitations. Also, coverage varies across provinces. So it's recommended to check coverage for private family dental insurance Ontario or BC plans based on your location.
The cost of family dental insurance in Canada varies depending on the provider, the level of coverage, and your location. You may pay premiums monthly, quarterly, or annually.
Before making any decision, don't forget to explore other options and compare costs. This will ensure that you get the best deal. If you want to compare dental insurance quotes from leading companies in Canada, you can use our comparator and get 20+ health and dental insurance quotes in minutes.
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How much is family dental insurance in Canada?
The cost of family dental insurance in Canada varies depending on a number of factors, including the province you live in, the age and number of dependents in your family, the type of coverage you choose, and the insurance company you go with.
That said, you can expect to pay around $100-$200 per month for family dental insurance in Canada.
For example
For example, a basic dental insurance plan for a family of four in Ontario costs around $150 per month.
If you need more comprehensive coverage, such as coverage for orthodontics or major dental work, you can expect to pay more.
For example
For example, a dental insurance plan that covers orthodontics for children could cost around $200 per month.
Here are some cost estimates for the dental insurance plans we discussed above — for a family of 4 in Canada:
| Insurance company | Plan name | Monthly cost for family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Life Canada | PHI plans | $100-$200 |
| Green Shield Canada | Basic Comprehensive Major | $120 $150 $200 |
| Group Medical Services (GMS) | Supplemental | $50-$100 |
| Manulife | FlexCare FollowMe | $150 $200 |
Which factors can influence the cost?
The following factors can influence the cost of family dental insurance in Canada:
- Province of residence: The cost of dental insurance varies from province to province. This is because the cost of living and the cost of dental care vary from province to province.
- Age: It increases with age. This is because older people are more likely to need dental care.
- Number of dependents: Increases with the number of dependents in your family. This is because you are paying to insure more people.
- Type of coverage: The cost goes up with the level of coverage you choose. For example, a plan that covers orthodontics will be more expensive than a plan that does not.
The cost also varies from insurance company to insurance company. It is important to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies before you choose a plan.
Other factors include:
- Health history: If you or your family members have a history of dental problems, you may pay more for dental insurance.
- Occupation: If you work in a high-risk occupation, you may pay more for dental insurance.
- Tobacco use: If you or your family members use tobacco, you may pay more for dental insurance.
You can also ask about discounts that may be available, such as discounts for families with multiple children or discounts for employers who offer group dental insurance plans.
To get the best possible deal on family dental insurance, it is important to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies. You can use our comparator to compare the best health and dental plans and get free dental insurance quotes in minutes.
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What are the best family dental insurance plans in Canada?
Sun Life Canada family dental insurance
Depending on your Sun Life Personal Health Insurance (PHI) plan — whether it's the Basic, Standard or Enhanced — you have access to various dental coverage options.
Here's a breakdown of the offerings for each plan:
PHI Basic Plan: Sun Life’s most affordable plan
- Covers preventative dental care
- 60% reimbursement for preventative dental care
- $500 annual maximum
- Recall visits every 9 months
Standard Plan: Sun Life’s most popular choice
- Enhanced coverage for preventative dental care
- 70% reimbursement for preventative dental care
- $750 annual maximum
- Recall visits every 9 months
PHI Enhanced Plan: Sun Life’s comprehensive offering
- Extensive coverage for preventive dental care, restorative dental care, and orthodontics
- 80% reimbursement for preventative dental care
- $750 annual maximum for preventative care
- Recall visits every 9 months
- 50% reimbursement for restorative dental care, with a $500 annual maximum
- 60% reimbursement for orthodontics, with a $1,500 lifetime maximum
The specifics of your coverage may vary based on the plan you choose — review the details of each plan to select the one that best suits your dental care needs.
GreenShield Canada’s Group Insurance
GSC offers health plans that incorporate dental insurance.
- In their most basic form, these plans encompass coverage for accidental dental damage and a portion of regular check-ups.
- For the more extensive plans, they extend their coverage to encompass major dental reconstructions and surgical procedures.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the dental treatments covered by various GSC health insurance plans:
| Plan | Dental coverage |
|---|---|
| Prism Continuum® | Basic: Preventative cleaning and polishing, routine exam, x-ray, filling, extractions, fluoride treatments, pit and fissure sealants, general anesthetics Coverage: 80% Comprehensive Basic: Periodontal treatment, endodontics, denture cleaning, repairs, rebasing, relining Coverage: 80% throughout Major Services: Dentures (full/partial), standard crowns, standard bridges Coverage: 50% starting in 3rd benefit year |
| PrismSpectra® | Basic: Preventative cleaning and polishing, routine exam, x-ray, filling, extractions, fluoride treatments, pit and fissure sealants, general anesthetics Coverage: 80% Comprehensive Basic: Periodontal treatment, endodontics, denture cleaning, repairs, rebasing, relining Coverage: 60% in the first 12 months, 70% in the next 12 months, 80% thereafter Major Services: Dentures (full/partial), standard crowns, standard bridges Coverage: 50% starting in the 3rd benefit year |
| Prism Precision® | Basic: Preventative cleaning and polishing, routine exams, x-ray, filling, extractions, fluoride treatments, pit and fissure sealants, general anesthetics. Coverage: 70% Comprehensive Basic: Periodontal treatment, endodontics, denture cleaning, repairs, rebasing, relining. Coverage: 60% in the first 12 months, 70% in the next 12 months, 80% thereafter Major Services: Dentures (full/partial), standard crowns, standard bridges. Coverage: 50% starting in the 3rd benefit year |
You can use our comparator below to get personalized dental insurance quotes from GSC and other leading companies that offer dental insurance in Canada. Just fill in some basic details and get dental insurance quotes in minutes.
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GMS dental insurance
GMS is a popular option for individuals and families in Canada. The company offers a variety of supplemental dental insurance plans to choose from, so you can find a plan that fits your needs and budget.
GMS dental insurance plans typically cover the following services:
- Preventive care (cleanings, checkups, x-rays)
- Basic services (fillings, root canals, extractions)
- Major services (crowns, bridges, dentures)
- Orthodontics
Here is what a supplemental dental insurance plan from GMS offers:
| Year | Basic service | Major services | Up to combined reimbursement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $500 | |
| Year 2 | 80% | 50% | $750 |
| Year 3 | 80% | 50% | $1,000 |
Like many dental insurance plans, GMS dental insurance may have coverage limits and waiting periods for certain services — review the policy details to understand these limitations.
Manulife health and dental insurance
Manulife's FlexCare and FollowMe plans are two popular options for family dental insurance in Canada. Both plans offer a variety of coverage options, so you can choose a plan that fits your needs and budget.
FlexCare dental plans offer a variety of coverage options for families, including:
- Preventive care (cleanings, checkups, x-rays) at 100%
- Basic services (fillings, root canals, extractions) at 80%
- Major services (crowns, bridges, dentures) at 50%
- Orthodontics at 50% (up to a lifetime maximum of $2,500)
FlexCare dental plans also offer a variety of optional coverages, such as:
- Accidental dental coverage
- Periodontics
- Endodontics
- Prescription drugs
- Vision care
- Travel insurance
FollowMe dental plans are designed for people who are between jobs or who have lost their employee health coverage. They offer the same coverage as FlexCare plans, but with a few key differences:
- FollowMe plans have no medical underwriting, so you can be approved for coverage regardless of your health history.
- FollowMe plans have no waiting period for preventive care.
- FollowMe plans offer a special rate for families with three or more children.
Expert advice
The best way to choose between a FlexCare and FollowMe plan is to consider your specific needs and budget.
- If you are looking for a plan with comprehensive coverage and no medical underwriting, then a FollowMe plan may be a good option for you.
- If you are looking for a plan with more affordable rates, then a FlexCare plan may be a better choice.
