Going to the dentist
 

Has anyone experienced going to the dentist in Canada? Toronto in particular. I don't have a dental plan and I hear that dentists here charge a high fee for their services. I just want a filling done.

Re: Going to the dentist
 

I believe there are wide variations in price (and possibly quality) from what I've read on the boards.

I spose the best advice is shop around, and ask your neighbours/work-mates/anyone else you meet!

Re: Going to the dentist
 

Recomedations of friends and colleagues is the way to go. Get a shortlist and then get quotations for the work. Many dentists now offer payment plans to spread the pain out over many months:D

My experience is that dentistry here, while it can be expensive without coverage , is light years ahead of UK NHS service!

Re: Going to the dentist
 

Out here in Alberta the fee for a basic filling would probably be at least $200 - just to give you some idea.

The whole service is different too. Assuming its the same out your way - dont expect a private room with one dentists chair. The dentist will start your treatment, leave you with an assistant, and move on to another patient. You are unable to see the other patients - but you can hear it all. Our dentist roams around at least three chairs. The childrens pediatric dentist has six chairs (she does have one chair in a private area - but no door - for those more 'troublesome' treatments).

Have fun.

Mrs G

Re: Going to the dentist
 

I`m in Quebec and apparently the dental services are all regulated and they chg the sm for all different work.
i recently had a wisdom tooth extracted for about 45$....most pleasant!

Re: Going to the dentist
 

Hi there,
I had to go to a dentist in saskatoon a week ago for a filling. My bill came to $151.30. Broken down this was $21.90 for the dental exam, $12.50 for a xray and $116.90 for the filling. I have 80% cover luckly so i only have to pay $30.26. So i would take out cover if you can.
regards Linda

Re: Going to the dentist
 

Blimey, I paid nearly $2000 for three last year. Fortunatley insurance picked most of it up.

In Ontario there are standard fees that insurance will pay up to, but most dentists exceed them, and by varying degrees.

Re: Going to the dentist
 

Same in Alberta - pediatric dentists exceed it by quite a lot! Our insurance covers 80% but we end up paying nearer 40% of the bill.

Mrs G

Re: Going to the dentist
 

if the dentist in Canada are owt like the yanks then you will need an appointment to have him tell you that you have a cavity...."NO FUGGIN SHIT" and you need a filling.......then he will book you in for a teeth cleaning and then prolly another appointment for the cavity......probably cost you $250

Re: Going to the dentist
 

Fortunately Canada is not like the US (a statement that works on many levels!), although if they need cleaning then they should probably be cleaned! :eek:

Re: Going to the dentist
 

Linda, I'd be interested to know about your coverage and who its with??.. do you get it with work?

I must say that I was impressed with the dentistwho was recommended by a lady at the hotel we stayed at. Brand new facility with TV's in the ceiling so I could watch the Stampead :D ....too much! They also had a process where they numb your gum ready for the injection before they even start....as a dental phobic that needed a lot of work at the time its gone a long way to eradicate my fears.

Re: Going to the dentist
 

Firstly let me tell you about the NHS dentist I had in england - we were concerned with our child's teeth (they didn't look white.. yet he had been going to the dentist since he was 6 months, we brush regularly etc) and the expletive deleted :mad: $%#$%&*&% said to wait until we were in Canada. Unfortunately he failed to tell us that our child's teeth were actually rotting - (as clearly we would have sorted it in England or failing that actually not waited 6 months before finding a dentist in Canada). :mad:

Our kidlet has no enamel on half his teeth (hence the weird colour) and needed 3 root canals and 4 crowns. (Fortunately he is very proud of his silver teeth!)

The dentists here were wonderful!! :) I cannot praise them too highly. But the intial quote ($2k) had me in near tears - thank god my dental plan at work kicked in after the first few appointments!!

Oh, and hubby likes the gum numbing stuff too! :D

A check up for an adult is approx $150 and for a kidlet $60. Work insurance picks up nearly all of it :D (NOTE it does depend on who you end up working for if you get any dental coverage)

any extra that you pay out of your own pocket you keep the receipts and claim it against your tax. (Likewise all medical expenses that are not covered by the Medical Services Plan).

Clare

Re: Going to the dentist
 

This depends on how much your income is for the year - you may find you get no tax benefit from these receipts. So dont rely on it!

Mrs G

Re: Going to the dentist
 

My kidlet lost his crown this afternoon (I won't mention the toffee his friend gave him :eek: ) - this happened after the dental surgery was closed, but I have just had a phone call from the dentist (from her home!) advising what to do in case kidlet gets in pain - and sorting out an appointment for tomorrow.

Did anyone get service like this in UK?!

Clare

Re: Going to the dentist
 

nope. nada. In ont., even being retired, my work insurancepays 90%. My dentist has pribeat rooms, & treatments are painles. I get my teeth cleaned poished
& checked 3 times ayear.. Get some insurance besides OHIP>
Johnny