According to the Canadian Health Measures Survey, about 32% of Canadians do not have dental insurance.
When something goes wrong with your teeth, not having insurance can be extremely stressful, as basic dental care is not a luxury—it’s essential for your overall health and well-being.
Don’t let dental insurance coverage be a barrier to having healthy teeth. Consider these 4 tips to help you get the dental care you need at an affordable cost.
1. Focus on preventative dental care
The number one way for you to decrease your dental costs is Prevention.
This is done by having a healthy dental hygiene routine at home and regular dental visits, which may sound a bit counter-intuitive to trying to keep cost down. Read on for the explanation on why this is important.
- Healthy Dental Hygiene Routine - This consists of brushing, flossing, rinsing and even removing buildup on your tongue. There are many suggestive best practices for a good routine, so confirm with your dental hygienist for the right dental hygiene routine for you.
- Regular Dental Visits - Schedule routine checkups, such as oral exams and dental cleanings with your dental hygienist for professional preventative dental care. Seeing your dentist twice a year for a quick maintenance appointment is much more affordable than seeing your dentist sporadically for an expensive and complicated dental emergency.
To illustrate the importance of preventative dental care, the typical cost for a dental exam is about $50 to $100, while a root canal can cost upwards of $1,500 per tooth.
2. Compare dental fees between dentists
In Alberta, dental care providers are able to set their own fees, so the cost for a particular dental service can vary widely between one dentist and the other. If you are considering getting dental work done, it’s suggested for you to get at least two quotes for the procedure.
When getting dental quotes you may find that one dentist is drastically cheaper. This may be good for saving costs but to ensure that you will receive quality dental service and care be sure to look up the dentist and clinics client reviews.
We aim to provide quality dental care that is also affordable at Marlborough Dental Centre, so you’ll find that our dental fees are competitively priced. Learn more about typical dental cost ranges under “Costs and direct billing” >
3. Ask about flexible payment options
Your oral health is important to your dentist, so many dental clinics will work with you to ensure you get the dental care that you need, with a financial payment plan you can afford.
Ask your dental clinic about flexible payment options, such as paying in installments or receiving a discount off of your dental service by paying the full cost up-front.
4. Consider available government programs
If your family is low-income, you may be eligible for government programs that cover the costs of essential dental services.
The Alberta Adult Health Benefit and Alberta Child Health Benefit provide financial assistance so people can access a range of health care services that are not covered by standard Alberta Health Care insurance, including dental procedures such as annual dental exams, extractions, and fillings. Learn more about this program >
It’s also a good idea to discuss which dental care expenses you can claim for a non-refundable tax credit with your tax professional, as this credit can offer significant savings.
As the tips above demonstrate, affordable dental care is still possible even if you don’t have dental insurance. With some research on available options and a focus on preventative dental care, you can keep your teeth healthy at a low cost.
We offer affordable dental care for the whole family at our friendly dental clinic in NE Calgary, including general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and senior’s dentistry. To learn more about Marlborough Dental Centre and our services, contact us online or by phone at 403.248.2066.
