6 min read

Dentist Prices in Canada are from Dental Fee Guides

Dentist Prices in Canada are from Dental Fee Guides

Dental Fee Guides Determine Dentist Prices in Canada

Online resources for Dentist Prices and Dental Fee Guides are Confusing! You can spend hours on the internet researching and still not be able to apply the information to help you find affordable dental care.

 

This 5-minute read organizes the information regarding Dentist Prices and Dental Fee Guides to help you save time and money at the dentist.

 

Learning how dentists determine prices will help you afford the treatment you need.

1. Dentist Fees in Canada = Provincial Dental Association Dental Fee Guide1. Dentist Prices in Canada = Provincial Dental Association Fee Guide

There is no such thing as a Canadian Dental Association fee guide.

 

Each Province and Territory in Canada has a Dental Association. One of the functions of each of these Dental Associations is to give guidance to dentists about dentist prices by publishing Dental Fee Guides:

  • Alberta Dental Fee Guide by the Alberta Dental Association

  • Manitoba Dental Fee Guide by the Manitoba Dental Association

  • BC Dental Fee Guide by the British Columbia Dental Association

  • Ontario Dental Association Fee Guide by the Ontario Dental Association

  • Quebec Dental Fee Guide by Association des Chirurgiens Dentistes du Québec

  • Saskatchewan Dental Fee Guide by the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan

  • Nova Scotia Dental Fee Guide by the Nova Scotia Dental Association

  • New Brunswick Dental Fee Guide by the New Brunswick Dental Society

  • Newfoundland Dental Fee Guide by the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association

  • PEI Dental Fee Guide by the Dental Association of Prince Edward Island

  • Northwest Territories & Nunavut Dental Association Fee Guide

  • Yukon Dental Association Fee Guide

 

ALL dental fee guides in Canada are the SAME:

  1. each dental procedure is identified by a "dental code," which is a 5-digit number
  2. dental procedure codes are the same throughout Canada!
  3. the fee guides are updated annually by each provincial dental association
  4. many dental treatments are a combination of multiple dental procedure codes

 

Each provincial dental association states that the dentist fees listed in the dental fee guide are ONLY suggested dentist prices and that these fees are not obligatory, but in reality, almost all dentists follow their provincial fee guide because dental insurance companies pay the dentist price listed in the dental fee guide. That means:

  • dentist prices Toronto = dentist prices Ontario
  • dentist prices Calgary = dental prices Alberta = dentist prices Edmonton
  • dentist prices Vancouver = dentist prices BC
  • dentist prices Montreal = Quebec dental fee guide

Dentist prices differ between different provinces; this is the only significant and relevant difference between the dental fee guides of the various provinces.

 

 

2. Dental Association Fee Guides in your Province:

2. Finding Dentist Prices and Dental Fee Guides in your Province:

 

When you Google "Dentist Prices," you have to sort out the information that Google gives you and make sure that you are getting information from your local area more conveniently; here are the dental fee guides in Canada:

 

Alberta Dental Fee Guide by the Alberta Dental Association

Alberta Dental Association is the only provincial dental association to publish their ENTIRE fee guide online: Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

 

There is also an Abbreviated Alberta Dental Fee Guide online.

 

Alberta has also published a Specialist Dental Fee Guide online.

 

 

BC Dental Fee Guide by the British Columbia Dental Association

You can view an abbreviated BC Dental Fee Guide by clicking below:

 

 

Saskatchewan Dental Fee Guide by the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan

For $500.00, you can purchase the Saskatchewan Dental Fee Guide from the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan.

 

 

Nova Scotia Dental Fee Guide by the Nova Scotia Dental Association

A summarized version of the Nova Scotia Dental Fee Guide is available online.

 

 

Ontario Dental Association Fee Guide by the Ontario Dental Association

The Ontario Dental Association Fee Guide is NOT available online.

 

Suppose you dig deep enough on the internet for the Ontario Dentist Fee Guide. In that case, you will eventually come across dental fee guides that are unlikely to be relevant to you, such as:

 

Manitoba Dental Fee Guide by the Manitoba Dental Association

The Manitoba Dental Fee Guide is not available online.

 

Quebec Dental Fee Guide by Association des Chirurgiens Dentistes du Québec

The Quebec Dental Fee Guide is not available online.

 

New Brunswick Dental Fee Guide by the New Brunswick Dental Society

The New Brunswick Dental Fee Guide is not available online.

 

Newfoundland Dental Fee Guide by the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association

The Newfoundland Dental Fee Guide is not available online.

 

PEI Dental Fee Guide by the Dental Association of Prince Edward Island

The PEI Dental Fee Guide is not available online.

 

2022 Dental Fee Guide: Ontario Dental Fee Guide,  Alberta Dental Fee Guide, BC Dental Fee Guide

Ontario Dental Fee Guide,  Alberta Dental Fee Guide, BC Dental Fee Guide

 

Dentist prices do differ from province to province by as much as 10-20%, depending on which provinces you compare. However, unless you have major work done or live close to the border of a cheaper province, it is impractical to shop for better dentist prices.

 

3. Do all dentists charge the same?

Do all dentists charge the same?

 

Dentist prices do not differ much. However, your dental costs will vary greatly depending on which dentist you see!?

 

In other words, the price of a specific dental procedure does not differ from dentist to dentist. However, the number and the extent of the dental procedures you will have done depends on who your dentist is!

 

How much of a difference in your dental costs? The differences between dentists are enormous! It's not uncommon to get 8 times more dental work from a dentist than another.

 

So if you are looking for affordable dental care, STOP wasting time by comparing dentist prices and reduce your dental costs by finding the best dentist: a dentist that you do not need! 

 

Knowing the difference between dentist prices and dental costs is the best way to find affordable dental care!

 

"Dentist price" is the price of a specific dental procedure; a fee guide determines it.

 

"Dental cost" is the total amount of money you will spend at the dentist; it is predominately determined by the number of unnecessary dental procedures your dentist recommends.

 

A good comparison is going to a restaurant. The prices on the restaurant menu are set, just like at a dental clinic. The number of items you order from the restaurant menu is entirely within your control. However, at a dental office, the dentist is ordering for you! Too much food is not healthy. Likewise, too much dental work reduces your dental and overall health!

 

Your dentist appointment cost depends on who your dentist is! Is your dentist a business dentist or a doctor dentist?

 

 

 

4. Dentist Prices and Dental Costs are NOT the same THINGS!

 

A dental fee guide is like a menu in a restaurant. At a restaurant, you have each food item listed with the price. In a dental fee guide, you have each dental procedure listed with the dentist price.

 

However, in a restaurant, you control your total cost for the meal as you are the one ordering the food. At a dental office, the dentist recommends what should be done, and hence the total dental cost of your dental visits does not depend on dentist prices; it depends on how aggressive your dentist is 50% of dental work performed is unnecessary!

 

Knowing dentist prices can save you about 10% on your total dental costs.

 

Knowing the difference between dentist prices and dental costs will save you about 50% off your total dental costs!

 

 

5. Many Dental Treatments are a Combination of Multiple Dental Codes

 

Knowing a dentist price for a specific dental code takes you only part of the way towards understanding your total dental cost for a particular dental appointment.

 

For example,

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING:

DENTAL FEE GUIDES AND DENTIST PRICES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING DENTAL FEE GUIDES AND DENTIST PRICES

Do dentists charge different prices?

In Canada, dentist prices do not differ much from dentist to dentist. However, your dental costs will vary greatly depending on which dentist you see because many dentists recommend procedures that you do NOT need! Almost all dentists within any given province follow their provincial dental fee guide for procedures typically covered by insurance, but the number and the extent of the procedures you will have done depends on who your dentist is!

 

 

Can a dentist charge more than the amount allowed by insurance?

Dentists independently set their fees; as such, they can charge more than the amount allowed by insurance. Almost all dentists follow their provincial dental fee guide. If a dentist intends to charge above the fees listed in the guide, they must tell the patient first.

 

 

How do you tell if a dentist is ripping you off?

The biggest dentist scam is unnecessary dental work. Avoid getting ripped off by taking the time to choose a dentist that puts your best interests first. Avoid getting ripped off by learning which dental procedures are not necessary. No matter who your dentist is or the recommended procedure, always ask: 1. What happens if I do nothing? 2. Are there simpler options? 3. What are the costs and risks of the dental procedure? Avoid getting ripped off by getting a second opinion.

 

 

Do small cavities need to be filled?

NO! A tooth cavity that has not progressed beyond enamel ( the first layer of a tooth) can be re-hardened with improved oral hygiene and exposure to Fluoride. A re-hardened cavity is stronger than the original healthy tooth structure!

 

 

How expensive is dental care?

On average, a Canadian will spend $639 yearly at the dentist. Prices vary between provinces. Dental costs vary significantly from dentist to dentist: there is an 8 times difference between the least ($193/ year) and most expensive ($1650/ year) dental clinic! Choose your dentist carefully!

 

 

Can you negotiate with a dentist?

YES, you can. However, there are better ways to ensure you get your money's worth. First, make sure that you are not getting ripped off by being recommended unnecessary dental work.

 

 

Can't afford a dentist, what can I do?

You should take the following steps:

  1. Do you qualify for free dental care? Every province and territory in Canada and every state in the United States has free dental care programs provided by governments; see if you qualify.
  2. Dental schools have discounted dentist prices. Look for a dental school near you and have dental students perform the work at a reduced fee.
  3. Look for an affordable dentist near you. Do NOT look for a “discount dentist near you”; you will pay MORE!

In the best interest of your health and well-being,

Dr. Joanne Baldos and Dr. Adam Szymczak

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