Dental Care
 

Thought I would post some current Nova Scotia basic dental fees for those of you who are about to move over or are new here. Now, I am covered by insurance and they pay up to 80% for most things and 50% for crowns, etc. They pay out up to $1000 per year per person.

At my dental office, a routine dental examination is always done after you have been to the Hygienist first - don't know if this is common practice or not but it's certainly a great idea.

• Exam and diagnosis $24 - I paid $4.80
• 2 X-rays (routinely done every 3 years) $18.00 - I paid 3.60
• Scaling $72 - I paid $14.40
• Polishing $24 - I paid $4.80
• Fluoride Treatment $15 - I paid $3

Total bill $122.40 - I paid $30.60. My appointment last 1 hour.

This was more expensive - In 2008, my son 17 year old son had 4 wisdom teeth removed at a cost of $1800. Insurance paid out $1000 (thus maxing his year out). We paid $800. This was not done at a hospital but was done by a specialist (I was amazed that my son had very little swelling and no bruising afterwards).

I have also had root canal treatment and it didn't cost me more than $150. I was told that a crown can cost around $800 - $1000 and would only be covered 50%. I had crowns while in the UK and the costs were comparible and were not very well done compared to what I have seen here (and I had a UK private dentist for 12 years).

I feel we get far superior dental treatment here and the preventative treatment is definitely the way to go to keep teeth and gums healthy. Came as a surprise that even adults get numbing gel prior to a local anaesthetic :D

As a family of 4, we pay $76 bi-weekly for medical insurance (dental, medical, optical, theraputic). This and any other out-of-pocket expenses is tax deductible.

Re: Dental Care
 

My experience in Ontario is very similar, but it does pay to shop around dentists, some charge more than others and are not necessarily better. Its one of those things you get recommendations from friends and colleges about I guess.

My understanding of medical expense tax deductions is that total expenses have to reach a certain % (2%, 4%?) of your total income before you are allowed to claim anything, so that deduction is not available to all. Not all benefits packages have a maximum annual spend either, and most seem to set the cost limit for procedures based on provincial approved figures, rather than what the dentist actually charges.(usually more than the provincially agreed number in my experience)

Re: Dental Care
 

Very useful posts. Thanks - actual costings like this are really helpful.

Re: Dental Care
 

Wish mine was that cheap, last check-up was $419.70!!

Exam - $66.60
6 x-rays (done every 6 months!!) $124.30
Polishing (1 unit) $63.40
Scaling (2 units) $133.60
Fluoride $31.80

Insurance picked up $360, I pay the rest but claim back through health care spending account that my work provides.

Now here in Canada I have a hygenist use the old fashioned descaler stick thing here whereas in the UK my dentist did all the cleaning with the ultra-sonic gadgets.
He did all of the above minus the fluoride and only 2 x-rays every year (privately) for 32 GBP.

I get the feeling here they treat your dental plan and charge accordingly to what the plans will pay rather than you the patient, but that's just me. At least I get to watch tv while they are working on my mouth...

Helen

Re: Dental Care
 

We no longer have dental or health insurance. The cost for this middle aged couple with no health problems would be $300 a month.

The costs I can find were;
Scaling $124, Single periapical x-ray $20.89.
Fluoride treatment $20.
Our insurance didn't cover crowns. I paid $4000 approx for 2 crowns.

The insurance won't pay 80% if your dentist charges more than the dental society recommends, the y pay 80% of that amount

Re: Dental Care
 

Absolutely no need for Xrays every time is there?...time to shop around for a new dentist!

My hygenist has both ultrasound and cold hard steel on hand....

Re: Dental Care
 

Helen

That's a lot of routine x-rays per year and certainly hikes up the price :eek:. Your fluoride is over twice the price of mine too. Today I was offered a choice of 4 flavours - the can looked like a tin of hair mousse :rofl:

My hygienest uses both scaling methods too.

Re: Dental Care
 

I did:)

Re: Dental Care
 

Really good information here guys :)