1000, avenue Victoria suite 40
Saint-Lambert (Québec), J4R 2T1
Dental insurance coverage
Health service: public or private?
In Quebec, our health care system provides coverage of dental care for a certain fraction of the population only. Treatments are reimbursed to the dentist by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). Note that not all dental services are paid by the Régie and not everyone can benefit from that health insurance.
Who is covered by the RAMQ for dental services?
- Children under age 10, who have their Health Insurance Card;
- Recipients of last-resort financial assistance and their dependants with their personal or family claim slip;
Dental services covered by the RAMQ
The majority of essential dental treatments are paid by the RAMQ for people entitled to covered services. On the other hand, the Government does not reimburse the cost of composite resin fillings on posterior teeth. Purely aesthetic restorations are not covered.
At any time, we will give you an estimation of the expected cost of the treatment.
What are the dental services paid by the RAMQ?
- One examination per year;
- Emergency examinations;
- X-rays;
- Local or general anesthesia;
- Amalgam (gray) fillings for the posterior teeth;
- Fillings using aesthetic materials (white) for the anterior teeth;
- Prefabricated crowns;
- Sedative dressings, i.e. temporary fillings intended to reduce pain;
- Endodontics (root canal treatment, apexification, pulpectomy, pulpotomy and emergency opening of the pulp canal)
- Tooth and root extractions;
- Oral surgery services covered for everyone.
Important: The costs of dental cleaning, scaling, and fluoride application are not covered by the Régie for children under age 10.
Dental coverage for the majority of the population
Quebec residents who are not eligible for RAMQ coverage fall into two categories:
- People with private dental insurance: they have dental insurance through their work, the family plan of a member of the immediate family or by contributing to a personal insurance.
- People without any dental coverage.
IMPORTANT: In both cases, the uninsured costs may be eligible for a tax credit for medical expenses. Keep the remittance slip of your insurer and your receipts and give them to your accountant.
Tax credit for uninsured medical expenses
In Quebec, if you paid medical expenses exceeding 3% of your income or your spouse’s income and you comply with the conditions stipulated by Revenu Québec, you are entitled to a non-refundable tax credit.
- Learn more about non-refundable tax credits for medical expenses in Quebec.
- Consult the list of medical expenses giving entitlement to the amount for medical expenses and the refundable tax credit for medical expenses in Quebec.
In Canada, there is also a non-refundable medical expense tax credit.
- Consult the list of eligible medical expenses for a tax credit.
- Find out about the eligible amount for a tax credit.
Evaluate your insurance coverage
Your employer may have negotiated lower fees for your insurance by opting for less coverage or refunds based on a prior year’s fee guide. Check with your insurer and tell them about your treatment plan.
The dentist will give you a treatment plan that includes the estimated costs.
The same fees for all patients, insured or not
For a specific clinic and a given period of time, dental rates are the same for all patients, insured or not.
Whether you have dental coverage or not, take some time to look at your treatment plan and do not hesitate to request additional clarification. There is a multitude of restrictions and particularities that are specific to each insurance contract. A conversation with your insurer may be necessary.
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