What is the best self employed dental insurance in 2024?

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Sunny Yadav updated on 2 November 2023

Self-employed dental insurance plans are designed for individuals who don't have the safety net of employer-sponsored coverage, including freelancers, independent contractors, and small business owners.

However, finding the best self-employed dental insurance in Canada is about more than just numbers. It's about weighing the pros, cons, and limitations, and ensuring the plan aligns with your unique requirements. We've got you covered.

We take you through the best self-employed dental insurance plans in Canada, their coverage options, costs, and more. You can then use our free comparator to compare the plans and get free dental insurance quotes right here in no time, so you can buy a plan that truly fits your unique needs.

Self-Employed Dental Insurance Canada: Our Top Picks

  1. GreenShield Canada: Three Prism plans with varying coverage.
  2. GMS: Flexibility to choose the level of coverage.
  3. Canada Life: Coverage starts at $1 per day.
  4. Manulife: Customizable health and dental insurance plans.

What is self employed dental insurance?

Self-employed dental insurance is a dental coverage option tailored for individuals who lack access to dental benefits provided by an employer. This category comprises freelancers, contractors, self-employed professionals, and small business owners.

You can purchase these plans directly from insurance companies or health insurance marketplaces. There are a variety of plans available, with different levels of coverage and premiums.

  • Most self-employed dental insurance plans cover preventive care, such as cleanings and exams, as well as basic restorative procedures, such as fillings and extractions.
  • Some plans also cover major dental procedures, such as crowns and root canals.

If you would like to explore the self-employed dental coverage options offered by the best providers in Canada, you can do it right here using our comparator below. Compare multiple plans and get free health and dental insurance quotes right here in no time.

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What is the cost of self employed dental insurance? 

The cost of health and dental insurance plans can vary widely depending on several factors, such as:

  • Age: Younger individuals typically pay lower premiums compared to older individuals.
  • Coverage Level: The extent of coverage you choose will have a significant impact on the cost. More comprehensive coverage will generally result in higher premiums.
  • Deductibles and Copayments: Plans with lower deductibles and copayments may have higher premiums, but they can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses when you receive care.
  • Number of Dependents: If you're covering family members, the cost may be higher than for an individual plan.
  • Optional Add-Ons: Some insurance plans offer optional add-ons or riders for specific needs, such as vision care or prescription drug coverage. Adding these options will increase the cost.
  • Smoking Status: Your smoking habits can also impact the cost of your insurance.

Here's a table with estimated monthly premiums for some of the leading providers in Canada:

Insurance ProviderEstimated Monthly Premium Range (Individual)
GreenShield Canada
$50 - $150
GMS Personal Health Insurance
$40 - $100
Canada Life's Freedom to Choose™
$30 - $100
Manulife's Flexcare® Health & Dental
$30 - $100
Self-employed dental insurance cost

To obtain accurate quotes for these plans, you can use our comparator to generate personalized quotes based on your specific criteria.

How does self employed dental insurance work in Canada? 

Self-employed dental insurance in Canada works by allowing individuals who are not part of an employer-sponsored plan to purchase dental coverage. Policyholders pay monthly premiums and, in return, receive benefits for various dental services, such as check-ups, cleanings, and treatments.

The coverage typically includes a set amount for preventative care and may have additional provisions for more complex dental procedures. It offers self-employed Canadians access to necessary dental care while bearing the associated costs.

When you choose a self-employed dental insurance plan, you will need to decide on a deductible and coinsurance. 

  • Your deductible is the amount of money you will need to pay out of pocket before your insurance starts to cover your dental expenses.
  • Your coinsurance is the percentage of your dental expenses that you will need to pay after you have met your deductible.

It is important to note that self-employed dental insurance plans in Canada typically do not cover all dental expenses.

  • There are some services that are not covered, such as cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics.
  • Additionally, some plans may have annual maximums, which is the most your insurance will pay for dental expenses in a given year.

What is a self employed dental insurance deduction?

Self-employed dental insurance deduction in Canada is a tax deduction that allows self-employed individuals to deduct the cost of their dental insurance premiums from their income taxes.

This deduction is available to self-employed individuals who are not covered by an employer-sponsored dental insurance plan. To claim the self-employed dental insurance deduction, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. You must be a self-employed individual.
  2. You must have paid dental insurance premiums for the tax year.
  3. You must have been the beneficiary of the dental insurance plan, or your spouse or common-law partner or dependent children.

The self-employed dental insurance deduction is claimed on Schedule 1 of your income tax return. You will need to enter the total amount of dental insurance premiums that you paid for the tax year on line 33099.

You can deduct dental insurance premiums for yourself, your spouse or common-law partner, and your dependent children.

Expert advice

The self-employed dental insurance deduction is a great way to save money on your taxes and reduce the cost of your dental insurance premiums.

Remember that before buying any dental insurance policy, it’s important to weigh multiple options. You can use our comparator below to compare the best health and dental insurance plans for self-employed individuals and get free personalized quotes in no time.

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What are the best self-employed dental insurance plans in Canada for 2024? 

Green Shield Canada health and dental plans

Green Shield Canada’s Prism programs are designed to bridge the insurance gap for self-employed individuals, covering services not provided by the government. It offers three Prism programs to meet your dental insurance requirements: 

  1. Prism Spectra®
  2. Prism Precision®,
  3. Prism Continuum®

These Prism programs offer three distinct levels of dental coverage for self-employed individuals and their families: Basic, Basic Comprehensive, and Major Services. 

This variety allows you to tailor your coverage precisely, ensuring you and your family have the protection you need. If your needs are basic, your self-employed dental insurance premiums will be lower.

Here's a breakdown of the coverage options:

  • Basic Coverage: Ideal for preventive cleaning, routine exams, x-rays, fillings, extractions, general anesthetics, and specific children's services.
  • Basic Comprehensive: Offers extended protection, including coverage for periodontal treatment, endodontics/root canal therapy, and denture-related care.
  • Major Services Coverage: The most comprehensive option, providing access to dentures, standard crown restorations, orthodontics, standard bridges, and standard repair or re-cementing of crowns (available in your third benefit year).

GMS Personal health insurance with dental coverage

GMS (Group Medical Services) is a reputable provider of personal health insurance with dental coverage in Canada. They offer a range of health insurance plans tailored to meet the specific needs of individuals and families, including dental coverage.

GMS Personal Health Insurance with Dental Coverage in Canada typically includes benefits such as:

  • Routine Dental Care: Coverage for regular dental check-ups, cleanings, and X-rays to help maintain good oral health.
  • Basic Dental Procedures: Coverage for common dental procedures like fillings and extractions.
  • Major Dental Services: Coverage for more extensive procedures such as root canals, crowns, bridges, and dentures.
  • Orthodontic Coverage: Some plans may offer coverage for orthodontic treatments like braces.
  • Prescription Drugs: Many health insurance plans, including those from GMS, also include coverage for prescription medications.
  • Vision Care: Some plans may provide coverage for vision-related expenses, including eye exams and corrective lenses.

Good to know

GMS is known for its flexibility in allowing individuals to choose the level of coverage that best suits their needs, making it easier to find a plan that fits their budget and provides the necessary protection for their dental and overall health needs.

Before deciding whether GMS is the right choice for you, you must compare how it fares against other companies. You can do it right here using our comparator below. Easily Compare multiple plans and get free dental insurance quotes right here in seconds.

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Canada Life Freedom to Choose™ health and dental insurance

With coverage starting at $1 dollar a day, Canada Life’s self-employed dental insurance plans are a perfect choice for those looking for budget-friendly options.

Here’s what its coverage and rates look like:

Service TypeWithout CoverageWith Select Plus
Routine Dental
$117$23.40 (80% reimbursement)
Major Dental (Crowns, Dentures, Bridges, etc.)
$642$321 (50% reimbursement if you add on optional major dental coverage)
Chiropractor Visit
$60$20 (up to a maximum of $400 a year; $40 maximum per visit)
Massage
$80$40 (up to a maximum of $400 a year; $40 maximum per visit)
Physiotherapy
$110$70 (up to a maximum of $400 a year; $40 maximum per visit)
Eye Exam
$190$115 (using $75 credit every two years)
Canada Life’s coverage for self-employed dental insurance

Manulife’s Flexcare® health & dental insurance plans

Manulife Flexcare® Health & Dental Insurance Plans are a suite of customizable health and dental insurance plans that are designed to meet the needs of individuals, families, and businesses.

Manulife Flexcare plans provide a variety of coverage options, so you can choose the plan that best meets your needs and budget. These plans cover a wide range of health and dental services, including:

  • Preventive care (e.g., checkups, cleanings, and immunizations)
  • Basic restorative care (e.g., fillings, extractions, and root canals)
  • Major dental procedures (e.g., crowns, bridges, and implants)
  • Hospitalization
  • Prescription drugs
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic care
  • Massage therapy
  • And more

Manulife Flexcare plans also offer a number of optional add-ons, such as:

  • Travel Insurance
  • Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
  • Critical illness insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • And more
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Sunny has over six years of experience curating engaging content spanning across industries. Specifically in finance, his expertise is insurance reviews and lending and investment topics.