Fees
Our fees are based on the current year’s Ontario Dental Association Suggested Fee Guide. With or without insurance, each patient is financially responsible for the fees associated with the treatment he or she receives. As coverage varies from one policy to another, we cannot guarantee that 100% of all fees will be covered.
The ODA Suggested Fee Guide
The Ontario Dental Association publishes its Suggested Fee Guide every year. The Guide lists every dental service that dentists may perform. It also outlines dental codes and suggested fees for each specific service.
Both dentists and dental plan providers may use the Guide as a reference point to help inform service fees. The year of the Guide being covered will be specified in the details of your dental benefits plan (in many cases, the plan does not cover the current calendar year).
The Guide is a highly technical document intended for professional use. It contains more than 1,400 dental “codes” of treatment, each representing a dental procedure, using correct dental terminology. Dentists will discuss procedures in layman’s terms with patients, providing answers related to your treatment and costs.
Factors that affect fees
No two mouths and no two treatments are the same. There are many factors that are considered when a dentist determines his or her fee for a particular service:
Complexity of treatment
Time needed to complete the treatment
Products and materials used
Specialized equipment
Sterilization and safety protocols
Dentistry is all about prevention. If left untreated, small problems could become more expensive to treat and more harmful to your health.
Dental specialist fees
When your treatment requires special care or procedures, your dentist may refer you to a dental specialist. Dental specialists receive extra training in a particular field of dentistry. They bring a high level of expertise to treatment provided within their specialty, so their fees may be higher.
Treatment provided by specialists is highly technical and complex. It often involves the use of special equipment, materials and staff, and requires ongoing education. Like dentists, specialists must take into account all these factors when setting their fees.
Treatment plans
While planning your treatment, your dentist will discuss the details of the proposed procedures, the associated risks, benefits, and estimated costs. The dentist only proceeds with treatment once informed consent is obtained. In complex cases, dentists will include a discussion of subsequent treatments too. Our dentists strive to be clear, open, and upfront about the actual costs that are involved with any treatment plan.
Estimates or pre-determinations
For complex treatments, your dentist will submit an estimate or pre-determination of benefits to your insurance company. This enables you to plan for your dental care both in terms of timing and costs to be incurred.
The dentist will obtain the patient’s informed consent prior to the start of treatment. This means discussing the proposed treatment and sharing risks and other information before the patient agrees to proceed.
These discussions also include information about treatment costs. The ODA publishes a suggested fee guide for Ontario dentists. The dentist will tell his or her patient what they will be charging in relation to the current year’s fee guide.
Estimates will include the cost of additional expense of materials and laboratory fees. When applicable, estimates also will include any recommended additional treatment. Dentists may provide estimates that include a range of costs, depending upon treatment choices. In order to fully understand the proposed treatment and its associated costs, patients are encouraged to ask questions.
If the dentist determines that an alteration to the treatment plan is necessary during treatment, while the patient is in the chair, he or she will explain the additional costs and confirm that the patient, parent, or substitute decision-maker agrees before proceeding.
Limiting the costs of dental care
The best way to limit costs is to maintain good dental health at home. You can do this by:
- Brushing at least twice daily for two to three minutes
- Flossing daily
- Limiting sugary drinks and snacks
- Visiting your dentist for regular care, including an examination
Regular dental appointments and early diagnosis can also help reduce the overall cost.
If you are experiencing oral pain or discomfort, please contact your dentist. Ignoring warning signs is dangerous to your health and can also become more expensive to treat if it gets worse! For example, an untreated cavity can lead to a root canal. Instead of avoiding care, talk to your dentist about treatment and payment options. Your dentist is here to help you get the care you need, so don’t be afraid to ask.
