1. Dental health in Quebec: what's covered (and what isn't)
In Quebec, dental care is not covered by RAMQ for adults. RAMQ covers dental care only for children under 10 and for certain low-income individuals in very specific situations.
Since 2024, the federal government created the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which partially covers people without dental insurance with a family income under $90,000/year — it opened first for children under 12 in 2024, then expanded gradually.
For the vast majority of adults, dental care is entirely self-funded unless they have private or group insurance.
2. Real costs at a dentist in Quebec
Dental rates in Quebec are not regulated — each clinic sets its own prices. The Ordre des dentistes du Québec publishes an annual fee guide as a reference, but clinics may charge more or less.
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Complete exam with X-rays | $150–250 |
| Cleaning and scaling | $100–200 |
| Simple cavity filling | $150–300 |
| Simple wisdom tooth extraction | $200–500 |
| Crown | $1,000–2,000 |
| Root canal (single tooth) | $800–1,500 |
3. Dental insurance options
There are several ways to get dental coverage in Quebec:
- Group employer insurance: if your employer offers group benefits, dental care is often partially covered — typically 50–80% up to an annual cap.
- Student associations: many universities and cégeps offer dental insurance to students — check with your institution.
- Individual dental insurance: offered by insurers like Blue Cross, SSQ, Intact and Sunlife. Premiums range from $30–80/month for an adult depending on coverage level.
- Canadian Dental Care Plan (federal government): covers people without other insurance with a family income under $90,000. Check your eligibility at Canada.ca.
4. Affordable options and assistance programs
Several resources allow access to reduced-price or free dental care:
- University dental clinics: Université de Montréal and McGill University have accessible clinics where supervised students provide care at significantly reduced rates. Wait times may be longer.
- Community organizations and CLSCs: for very low-income people, some CLSCs can direct you to local dental assistance programs.
- Dental care program for social assistance recipients: partial coverage for Quebec social assistance recipients.
- Hospital emergency dental care: university hospitals treat dental emergencies (infections, severe pain) regardless of ability to pay in serious situations.
5. See also
These related guides may be useful:
- Walk-in clinics and CLSCs — for other health care in Quebec.
- RAMQ — your basic medical coverage — understanding what the provincial health insurance covers.
- Optometrist and glasses in Quebec — eye care costs and options.
6. Official sources
For the reference fee guide of the Ordre des dentistes: odq.qc.ca. For the Canadian Dental Care Plan: canada.ca. For university dental clinics: Université de Montréal and McGill.
Author's Note: if you work and your employer offers group benefits, enrol for dental insurance on your first day — there's often a waiting period for some services if you enrol late. And if you choose individual insurance, compare the annual caps carefully: an insurance with a $500 maximum won't help you for a crown or root canal. Aim for at least $1,000–1,500 in annual coverage for it to be worthwhile.
