Orthodontic costs in Ontario
Aug 31st 2018, 3:49 am
#16
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Orthodontic costs in Ontario
We opted to continue to pay for a Dental Plan after OH retired ......... along with MSP and Extended Health.
We both go to our dentist twice a year, and the Plan covers about 50% of the cost. But the dentist is very good, and has never recommended any unnecessary treatment since I started going to him back in 2001.
This was not the dentist who recommended OH go to see a specialist re the implants!
Siouxie ............ it sounds as if your friend had not been to a dentist for some years, and was going to a new guy.
That's how I found the dentist I now go to ............. I had 2 gold crowns that had been put on by my dental student flatmate back in about 1963/64.
In 2002, one came off when I was chewing a candy. I went on spec to the clinic near where we live .... they were unsure what to expect was needed as it was about 10 years since I had last been to a dentist. Actually, I needed very little hygienist work after the crown had been replaced. The other gold crown was replaced about a year later.
BUT I have strong teeth ............... they have needed very little treatment apart from the school dentist back in the early 50s who believed in taking out molars rather than fill them.
We both go to our dentist twice a year, and the Plan covers about 50% of the cost. But the dentist is very good, and has never recommended any unnecessary treatment since I started going to him back in 2001.
This was not the dentist who recommended OH go to see a specialist re the implants!
Siouxie ............ it sounds as if your friend had not been to a dentist for some years, and was going to a new guy.
That's how I found the dentist I now go to ............. I had 2 gold crowns that had been put on by my dental student flatmate back in about 1963/64.
In 2002, one came off when I was chewing a candy. I went on spec to the clinic near where we live .... they were unsure what to expect was needed as it was about 10 years since I had last been to a dentist. Actually, I needed very little hygienist work after the crown had been replaced. The other gold crown was replaced about a year later.
BUT I have strong teeth ............... they have needed very little treatment apart from the school dentist back in the early 50s who believed in taking out molars rather than fill them.
It was her regular dentist who now has a new pricing policy and that is what they said. She wasn't worried about costs as she has a dental plan. I thought it was interesting, that is all - and not good news for anyone who doesn't have a dental plan or sufficient funds to cover the cost.
Aug 31st 2018, 5:03 am
#17
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Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: Orthodontic costs in Ontario
True ........ not good news at all!
Aug 31st 2018, 12:58 pm
#18
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,820
Re: Orthodontic costs in Ontario
I just had to tell myself it probably cost no more than if I'd been paying into a dental plan all this time.
Aug 31st 2018, 1:10 pm
#19
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Orthodontic costs in Ontario
Yesterday I was at the dentist's for a cleaning. While the hygienist (who, of course, was a dentist in her own country) worked my teeth I heard a man come in and be examined by the dentist. He was in pain. Severe pain. The pain had started some weeks ago when his bridge broke and was now much worse. The bridge had been installed "long ago, in Montreal". He needed a new bridge and two root canals if he wanted to keep the teeth either side of the bridge. Alternatively he could have the teeth pulled and two implants. The dentist likes to preserve if he can rather than implant and so said he could make that option cheaper. The order of treatment depended on the availability of funds. The standard dental talk ensued "if you only have this much money we can only do this much work. Which is worse, prolonged aching pain or short bursts of severe pain? You decide, we'll work to that".
This is not a good country in which to be poor.
This is not a good country in which to be poor.
Aug 31st 2018, 8:03 pm
#20
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Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: Orthodontic costs in Ontario
You can be lucky if you happen to live in or close to a city that has a university with a dental school ........ many of them offer free or low cost treatments with the work being done by students under the direct supervision of their supervisors.
Or, several places in BC have dentists who go down on to the downtown area, or where low income and homeless congregate and offer treatments ... it might only be once or twice a year, but free treatment is around.
But is it so much worse than back in the UK?
I;ve heard horror stories of people not being able to get NHS dentists, who presumably charge nothing or low amounts, and having to pay for private.
That also makes it hard for the poor to get treatment.
Or, several places in BC have dentists who go down on to the downtown area, or where low income and homeless congregate and offer treatments ... it might only be once or twice a year, but free treatment is around.
But is it so much worse than back in the UK?
I;ve heard horror stories of people not being able to get NHS dentists, who presumably charge nothing or low amounts, and having to pay for private.
That also makes it hard for the poor to get treatment.
Aug 31st 2018, 9:36 pm
#21
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,820
Re: Orthodontic costs in Ontario
Yes.
The difficulty in the UK is less about finding an NHS dentist per se, than finding one who takes paying (non exempt) patients on. They want those people to be private patients. People who are exempt from charges - on certain benefits for example - don't have the choice and are more likely be accepted, although their dentist of choice may have a waiting list.
With NHS charges at these rates, anyone who does have to pay, ought to be prepared to go out of their way a bit. A taxi to each appointment the other side of town, for example, would still save much money in he long run.
Everything I just had done - about $6000 - would have been done within the £256.50 NHS max in the UK. According to the website of my old dentist, about £2000 private or $3400.
You're right of course. Even in NB Social Assistance recipients can get the basics paid for and others on lower incomes can too. The difficulty is finding out. My dentist here recently had a free for all day for homeless.
The difficulty in the UK is less about finding an NHS dentist per se, than finding one who takes paying (non exempt) patients on. They want those people to be private patients. People who are exempt from charges - on certain benefits for example - don't have the choice and are more likely be accepted, although their dentist of choice may have a waiting list.
With NHS charges at these rates, anyone who does have to pay, ought to be prepared to go out of their way a bit. A taxi to each appointment the other side of town, for example, would still save much money in he long run.
There are three NHS charge bands. From April 2018 to March 2019, the costs are as follows:
Band 1: £21.60 Covers an examination, diagnosis and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish, and planning for further treatment. Band 2: £59.10 Covers all treatment included in Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions). Band 3: £256.50 Covers all treatment included in Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures and bridges.
Band 1: £21.60 Covers an examination, diagnosis and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish, and planning for further treatment. Band 2: £59.10 Covers all treatment included in Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions). Band 3: £256.50 Covers all treatment included in Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures and bridges.
free treatment is around
You're right of course. Even in NB Social Assistance recipients can get the basics paid for and others on lower incomes can too. The difficulty is finding out. My dentist here recently had a free for all day for homeless.
Oct 8th 2018, 10:30 am
#22
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2018
Location: Will be outside Toronto.
Posts: 1
Re: Orthodontic costs in Ontario
WE are also going to be moving to outside Toronto (Oakville area) in January. My daughter will be having braces fitted before Christmas, so these will need regular adjusting and eventually removing. Here in the UK this would all be free. Does anyone know what kind of cost I am looking at? And if I should purchase insurance - providing they would accept ongoing treatment?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Oct 8th 2018, 7:39 pm
#23
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Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Orton, Ontario
Posts: 2,032
Re: Orthodontic costs in Ontario
WE are also going to be moving to outside Toronto (Oakville area) in January. My daughter will be having braces fitted before Christmas, so these will need regular adjusting and eventually removing. Here in the UK this would all be free. Does anyone know what kind of cost I am looking at? And if I should purchase insurance - providing they would accept ongoing treatment?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Oct 8th 2018, 10:35 pm
#24
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Orthodontic costs in Ontario
WE are also going to be moving to outside Toronto (Oakville area) in January. My daughter will be having braces fitted before Christmas, so these will need regular adjusting and eventually removing. Here in the UK this would all be free. Does anyone know what kind of cost I am looking at? And if I should purchase insurance - providing they would accept ongoing treatment?
Thanks.
Thanks.
You could call Ontario Blue Cross, or Manulife also do a plan (they have a Costco plan too), I would not be holding my breath though!
If you get an employers extended health with a job, there is often no waiting period.
Last edited by Aviator; Oct 8th 2018 at 10:37 pm.
Oct 8th 2018, 11:37 pm
#25
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Ajax, Ont
Posts: 277
Re: Orthodontic costs in Ontario
Most orthodontists I called do a free consulatation so you can get an idea of what needs doing and how much it will cost. I took my kids for 3 consulations and only one of the orthodontists gave me a total cost for the work. The others were pretty vague so I am going with the one who was upfront about the cost and the length of the treatment.
