What’s the Best Dental Insurance in Manitoba for 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
- 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%
- 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
- 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
- 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
Looking for the best dental insurance in Manitoba can be challenging. There are so many options out there, with varying levels of coverage.
Delve with us into the offerings of premier providers in Manitoba — Sun Life, GreenShield Canada (GSC), Group Medical Services (GMS), and Blue Cross.
Also, explore the significance of private dental insurance in Manitoba, understanding its pivotal role in cost reduction, providing peace of mind, and promoting preventive care. And don’t forget to explore other plans and compare costs — use our comparator or request quotes from the providers directly.
Best Manitoba Dental Insurance 2025
- Sun Life’s PHI plans with dental coverage
- GreenShield dental insurance: Plans for every budget
- Group Medical Services’ Basic and Essential plans
- Blue Cross affordable plans with good coverage
What do dental insurance plans in Manitoba cover?
A lot of things, but the coverage will depend on your plan. Here are some of the types of dental services that are typically covered by private dental insurance in Manitoba:
- Routine cleanings and exams: To prevent dental problems such as cavities and gum disease.
- Fillings: Fillings are used to repair cavities.
- Crowns: Crowns are used to protect and restore damaged teeth.
- Root canals: Root canals are used to treat infected teeth.
- Orthodontics: Orthodontics is used to straighten teeth.
As mentioned, the specific services that are covered by your dental insurance plan will vary depending on the plan you choose. Hence, it is important to read the fine print of your policy carefully to understand what is covered and what is not.
Also, make sure to shop around and explore health and dental insurance plans from multiple providers to get the best deal. You can do that right here using our comparator below. Compare plans and get free health and dental insurance quotes in seconds.
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What’s the best dental insurance in Manitoba?
The best dental insurance in Manitoba depends on your individual needs and budget. However, some of the top-rated plans in the province include:
- Sun Life
- GreenShield personal health insurance
- Group Medical Services (GMS)
- Blue Cross
Let’s dig deep into their offerings and see what makes them a good choice as your next dental insurance provider.
Sun Life Dental Insurance Manitoba
Sun Life offers dental coverage exclusively through our Personal Health Insurance (PHI) plans, which are part of our comprehensive health and dental insurance options.
Depending on the particular PHI plan you select, you can access either partial or comprehensive coverage for a range of dental services.
This coverage includes procedures like teeth cleanings, dental x-rays, exams, and orthodontics (including braces for adults and children), as well as bridges, dentures, and crowns.
Here’s a quick overview of Sun Life dental insurance plans and their coverage levels:
| Plan Type | PHI Basic Plan | PHI Standard Plan | PHI Enhanced Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Preventive Care | |||
| Reimbursement | 60% | 70% | 80% |
| Annual Maximum | $500 | $750 | $750 |
| Recall Visits | Every 9 months | Every 9 months | Every 9 months |
| Waiting Period | 3 months before coverage begins | 3 months before coverage begins | 3 months before coverage begins |
| Restorative Dental Care: | |||
| Reimbursement | 50% | ||
| Annual Maximum | $500 | ||
| Waiting Period | 1 year before coverage begins | ||
| Covered Services | Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral Surgery, Crowns, Onlays, Bridges, Dentures (and repairs to dentures) | ||
| Orthodontic Care: | |||
| Reimbursement | 60% | ||
| Lifetime Maximum | $1,500 | ||
| Waiting Period | 2 years before coverage begins | ||
| Covered Services | Interceptive, Interventive, or Preventive Orthodontic Services (Excluding Space Maintainers) This category covers early orthodontic interventions designed to prevent or address orthodontic issues. | ||
GreenShield dental insurance: Plans for every budget
GreenShield offers extensive dental coverage as part of its health insurance plans, providing options suited for a range of needs and budgets. The ZONE plans, designed for individuals and families without group benefits, offer flexible dental coverage that grows as you progress through the tiers. ZONE 2 Primary and ZONE 3 Basic focus on making routine and preventive care affordable, while ZONE 6 Premier and ZONE 7 Ultimate cover major dental work and orthodontics starting in Year 3. Reimbursement can go up to 90%, based on the annual dental maximum.
For those transitioning from group benefits, GreenShield offers the LINK plans (LINK 2, 3, and 4), which ensure guaranteed acceptance and easy integration of dental coverage. LINK 2 Classic includes preventive care, while LINK 4 Elite adds orthodontics and higher reimbursement rates. These plans provide up to 80% reimbursement, subject to the annual dental maximum.
What sets GreenShield personal health insurance apart is its progressive dental coverage, which increases over time to provide greater long-term value. The higher-tier plans feature excellent orthodontic coverage, while lower-tier options provide budget-friendly dental care. However, major dental services and orthodontics only kick in after Year 3 in the top-tier plans, which might not be ideal for those needing immediate attention. Additionally, the annual limits in lower-tier plans may not be adequate for those needing extensive dental treatments.
You can explore the full coverage details in the free PDFs below.
If you think GreenShield could be the right choice for you, you can get a free quote using our exclusive partner link below.
Group Medical Services (GMS)
Group Medical Services offers a varied selection of health insurance plans, ranging from essential coverage to comprehensive healthcare protection. Furthermore, each plan provides the flexibility to include benefits for dental and/or prescription drugs.
| Plan | Included Benefits |
|---|---|
| Essential Plan | Comprehensive dental coverage Preventive care (80% coverage): Regular check-ups, examinations, cleanings, scaling Basic care (80% coverage): Semi-annual checkups, polishing, fillings, etc. Major care (50% coverage): Inlays, onlays, crowns, bridges, dentures, etc. Combined maximum for dental expenses: $1,000 Accidental dental coverage: $2,000 per injury |
| Basic Plan | Graduated coverage over the years: Year 1: $500 Year 2: $750 Year 3+: $1,000 Accidental dental maximum: $500 per injury |
To receive personalized dental insurance quotes from Group Medical Services and other leading companies in Canada, use our comparison tool. Provide your basic details, and within minutes, get customized dental insurance quotes to easily compare and make an informed decision about your coverage.
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Blue Cross Dental Insurance Manitoba
Blue Cross offers all-encompassing health plans that include dental coverage, along with standalone individual dental insurance plans designed for those specifically seeking dental coverage.
| Individual Dental Insurance Coverage | Eligible Services | Coverage Rate | Waiting Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preventive Services | Cleaning, polishing, fluoride treatments, sealants, etc. | 70% | 6 months |
| Examinations | X-rays (once every 36 months) and emergency assessments | 70% | 6 months |
| Restorative Services | Fillings | 70% | 6 months |
| Surgical Procedures | Extractions and root canal therapy | 70% | 6 months |
| Denture Services | Repairs, relining, and rebasing | 70% | 6 months |
Here are some additional coverage details that you should know:
| Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage | Coverage Details |
|---|---|
| Applicant and Spouse Coverage | Up to $25,000 each in case of accidental loss of life or limb |
| Age Limit | Coverage ceases after the month following the 65th birthday |
How much does dental insurance in Manitoba cost?
The cost of dental insurance in Manitoba varies depending on a number of factors, including your age, health, and the type of coverage you choose.
Here are the estimated costs for a 27-year-old (male) living in Manitoba:
| Plan Provider | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Sun Life Basic Sun Life Standard Sun Life Enhanced | $57.53 $73.41 $100.79 |
| Green Shield Prism Precision Green Shield Prism Spectra Green Shield Prism Continuum | $30-$50 $50-$75 $40-$60 |
| GMS Dental Essential Plan GMS Dental Basic Plan | $121.25 $70.75 |
| Blue Cross | Starting from $65 |
Why do you need private dental insurance in Manitoba?
Private dental insurance in Manitoba is often necessary because the provincial health insurance plan does not cover most dental services. This means that you would have to pay out of pocket for the full cost of dental care, which can be expensive.
Here are some of the benefits of having private dental insurance in Manitoba:
- Reduces the cost of dental care: Dental insurance can help you save money on the cost of dental care, including routine cleanings, exams, fillings, and crowns.
- Provides peace of mind: Knowing that you have dental insurance can give you peace of mind knowing that you can afford the care you need when you need it.
- Encourages preventive care: Regular dental care is important for maintaining good oral health and preventing dental problems. Dental insurance can encourage you to get the preventive care you need by making it more affordable.
If you're new to dental insurance, you can compare what the best plans offer right here using our comparator below. You can also get free quotes in a few quick steps.
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How to file a claim for private dental insurance Manitoba?
Filing a claim for private dental insurance in Manitoba is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few simple steps.
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:
- Gather your documentation, including your dental insurance policy details, the itemized dental receipt from your dentist, and any pre-authorization forms if required.
- Complete the claim form, providing accurate information about yourself, your policy, the dental services received, and the associated costs.
- Attach supporting documents, ensuring all documents are securely attached and legible.
- Choose your submission method — mail, online, or in person.
- Submit your claim to your dental insurance provider. Follow the specific instructions provided for your chosen submission method.
Once done, keep track of your claim status by checking your online account, contacting your provider's customer service, or referring to any tracking information provided. The processing time for claims may vary depending on the provider and the complexity of your claim.
Expert advice
Keep copies of all submitted documents for your records. Contact your dental insurance provider if you have any questions or concerns about the claim process.
What to keep in mind while choosing dental insurance in Manitoba?
Here are some factors to consider when choosing a private dental insurance plan in Manitoba:
- Your dental needs: What types of dental services do you need?
- Your budget: How much can you afford to pay for monthly premiums?
- The deductible: How much money do you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance benefits kick in?
- The co-insurance: How much will you have to pay as a percentage of the cost of covered services?
- The network of providers: Does your plan have a network of providers in your area?
