What is the best student dental insurance in 2024?

Whether you're a Canadian citizen or an international student, securing the right dental coverage is crucial for your peace of mind and maintaining excellent oral health. But how do you choose a policy that's right for you?

The best student dental insurance for you depends on your unique needs and budget, and we're here to help you explore some of the most reputable and highly regarded options, including GSC, York University, Manulife, and Blue Cross.

Join us as we take a thorough look at their coverage options and rates so you can have a better idea. You can also use our comparator to compare the best health and dental insurance plans in Canada and choose a plan that truly suits you the best.

What does student dental insurance cover in Canada?

Dental care can be expensive, even in Canada. That's why it's important for students to have dental insurance.

Most provinces and territories in Canada do not offer public dental coverage, leaving students to fend for themselves when it comes to oral health. However, there are exceptions. Students in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario enjoy public dental coverage.

The good news is that many post-secondary institutions across the country offer student dental insurance plans. These plans are typically provided through private insurance companies and are available to all students, regardless of their province or territory of residence.

But what exactly does student dental insurance cover in Canada? Such plans typically cover a variety of dental services, including:

• Preventive care: checkups, cleanings and x-rays
• Basic dental care: fillings, root canals, and extractions
• Major dental care: crowns, bridges, and implants

Before buying a dental insurance policy, make sure to shop around and compare their rates and coverage. You can use our comparator to get free health and dental insurance quotes from leading companies in Canada.

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What is the cost of student dental insurance in Canada?

The cost of dental insurance for students in Canada varies depending on the plan you choose, the province you live in, and your age. However, most student dental insurance plans are very affordable, ranging in price from $20 to $50 per month.

Here is an estimate of the monthly rates for some of the most popular dental insurance plans for students in Canada:

Plan	Monthly Premium
Green Shield Canada	$25-$40
York University	$25-$35
Manulife Student Dental Plan	$30-$45
Blue Cross	$35-$50

To get personalized quotes from leading Canadian companies, you can use our free comparator — enter your basic details and get dental insurance quotes in minutes.

What is international student dental insurance?

International student dental insurance is a type of dental insurance that is designed specifically for international students.

It typically covers a variety of dental services, including preventive care, basic dental care, and major dental care. Some plans also cover orthodontic services and prescription drug coverage.

• International dental insurance for students is important because dental care can be expensive, especially in Canada.
• International students who do not have dental insurance may have to pay out of pocket for all of their dental care, which can be a financial burden.

International dental insurance plans for college students are typically offered by private insurance companies. There are a variety of different plans available, such as GSC, Blue Cross, Manulife, and more. 

When choosing an international student dental insurance plan, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Coverage: Make sure the plan covers the dental services that you need.
• Cost: Choose a plan that fits your budget.
• Deductibles and copays: Be aware of the deductibles and copays that you will have to pay before your insurance coverage kicks in.
• Network of dentists: Choose a plan that has a network of dentists in your area.

Do universities offer student dental insurance in Canada?

Yes, many universities and colleges offer dental plans that are affordable and offer good coverage for students. Here are some of them:

• McMaster Student Dental Insurance Plan: Available to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students at McMaster University.
• Carleton University Student Dental Insurance Plan: Available to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students at Carleton University.
• Reyson Student Dental Insurance Plan: Available to all full-time and part-time students enrolled in a post-secondary institution in Canada.

Other options include the Concordia Student Dental Insurance Plan, Humber Student Dental Insurance Plan, and Seneca Student Dental Insurance Plan. 

To learn more about each plan and to enroll, you can visit the website of the university/college or the insurance company that offers the plan. For instance, York University’s dental insurance is offered by GSC.

And if you want to get personalized dental insurance quotes from various providers to compare their cost and coverage, you can use our comparator below. It's free to use and gives results in no time.

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Best student dental insurance in Canada 2024

The best options for student dental insurance in Canada vary depending on your individual needs and budget. However, some of the most popular and highly rated options include the following:

GreenShield Canada student dental insurance

GreenShield Canada offers a variety of student dental insurance plans, depending on your needs and budget. All plans cover preventive care (checkups, cleanings, and x-rays), and most plans also cover basic dental care (fillings, root canals, and extractions). Some plans also cover major dental care (crowns, bridges, and implants).

Here are some of the specific coverage highlights of Green Shield Canada's dental insurance plans for students:

• Preventive care: All plans cover 100% of preventive care costs, including checkups, cleanings, and x-rays.
• Basic dental care: Most plans cover 100% of basic dental care costs, including fillings, root canals, and extractions. Some plans have a deductible or copay.
• Major dental care: Some plans cover major dental care costs, such as crowns, bridges, and implants. However, there is typically a deductible and copay for major dental care services.
• Orthodontic services: Some plans cover orthodontic services, such as braces and Invisalign. There is typically a deductible and copay for orthodontic services as well.

York University student dental insurance

York University students have access to two dental insurance plans:

1. York University Student Dental Insurance Plan: This plan is automatically included in tuition fees for all undergraduate students, regardless of their province or territory of residence. The plan covers a variety of dental services, including preventive care, basic dental care, and major dental care.
2. YFS Health and Dental Plan: This plan is offered by the York Federation of Students (YFS) and is available to all undergraduate students, regardless of their year of study or program of study. The plan offers more comprehensive coverage than the first plan, including orthodontic services and prescription drug coverage.

The York University Student Dental Insurance Plan covers the following dental services:

• Preventive care: checkups, cleanings and x-rays
• Basic dental care: fillings, root canals, and extractions
• Major dental care: crowns, bridges, and implants
• The plan also covers emergency dental care, but there is a $250 deductible.

Read our comprehensive review of York University’s dental insurance to know more. 

Before deciding on a plan, don't forget to compare the options available. You can use our comparator below to compare the best Canadian health and dental insurance plans and get personalized quotes in no time.

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Manulife student dental insurance 

Just like GSC, Manulife student dental insurance plans in Canada offer a variety of coverage options, depending on your needs and budget. The specific coverage for each dental procedure may vary depending on your plan, but all plans cover: 

Category	Services
Preventive Care	Checkups, Cleanings, X-rays
Basic Dental Care	Fillings, Root canals, Extractions, Scaling and root planing
Major Dental Care	Crowns, Bridges, Implants
Orthodontic Services	Braces, Invisalign

There are two types of standalone dental plans from Manulife: DentalPlus Basic and DentalPlus Enhanced with different levels of coverage:

1. DentalPlus Basic is the more affordable plan and it covers preventive care, such as checkups, cleanings, and x-rays, as well as basic dental care, such as fillings, root canals, and extractions.
2. DentalPlus Enhanced is a more comprehensive plan, and it covers everything that DentalPlus Basic does, plus major dental care, such as crowns, bridges, and implants, and orthodontic services, such as braces and Invisalign.

To know more about their coverage and other services like accidental dental, go to our Manulife health and dental insurance review.

Blue Cross student dental insurance

Blue Cross student dental insurance covers a variety of dental services, including:

• Preventive care: checkups, cleanings and x-rays
• Basic dental care: fillings, root canals, and extractions
• Major dental care: crowns, bridges, and implants
• Orthodontic services (some plans)

Blue Cross dental plans are available to students of all ages and levels of education, including undergraduate students, graduate students, and professional students.

To be eligible for Blue Cross dental plans, you must be enrolled in a full-time accredited educational institution.