Dental services The Québec Health Insurance Plan covers certain services rendered by dentists and denturists participating in the public plan. This is also the case for dental hygienists who work independently. Children under age 10 and recipients of last-resort financial assistance may receive several services at no cost. The Canadian Dental Care Plan may cover part of the cost of certain dental services. However, we do not manage this program. For further information on covered services and eligibility conditions, visit the federal government website. Services covered At hospitals, health insurance covers certain oral surgery services. Examinations, local or general anesthesia and x-rays related to a surgery are also covered. To benefit from these services free of charge, you must present a valid Health Insurance Card and, if applicable, your claim slip. Tooth and root extraction is covered only for children under 10 years of age and for recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip (carnet de réclamation). Examples of oral surgery services covered in a hospital BiopsyDrainage of an abscessReduction of a fractureRemoval of a cyst or tumourRepair of a soft tissue laceration (example: cheek, tongue or palate)Treatment of osteitis (bone tissue inflammation)Treatment of salivary glandsTreatment of the temporomandibular joint (which connects the jawbone to the skull) Services covered for children under age 10 Children under age 10 receive the following services free of charge when the services are rendered by a dentist at a dental clinic or hospital: Aesthetic material crown on primary anterior teethAnnual examination and emergency examinationFillings using esthetic materials in certain casesFrectomy (removal of the tongue or lip frenulum)Grey amalgam fillings on the premolar and molar teethLocal or general anesthesiaPrefabricated crownsRoot canal treatment, apexification, pulpotomy, pulpectomy, and other endodontics treatment, such as emergency opening of the pulp chamber and sedative dressingsThe oral surgery services covered in hospitalsTooth and root extractionsX-rays Root canal treatments and apexification are covered for permanent teeth. Pulpotomy and pulpectomy are covered only for the primary teeth. For the permanent teeth, pulpotomy is covered only under general anesthesia. Services covered for recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip (carnet de réclamation) The Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale determines the conditions for entitlement to covered services for recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip (carnet de réclamation) and their dependants. Contact the Ministère if you have any questions on the matter. To benefit from covered services, you must present your valid Health Insurance Card and valid claim slip (carnet de réclamation) to dentists and denturists participating in the public plan. Covered services are rendered at dental clinics and hospitals. Recipients for under 12 consecutive months If you have been a recipient of a financial assistance program with claim slip (carnet de réclamation) for under 12 consecutive months, you qualify for the following services free of charge in a dental clinic, but in the event of an emergency only: Drainage of an abscessExamHemorrhage controlImmobilisation of a tooth loosened by traumaOpening of the pulp chamber (internal part of a tooth)Reduction of an alveolar fractureRe-implantation of a completely exfoliated (uprooted) toothRepair of a soft tissue laceration (example: cheek, tongue or palate)Tooth and root extractionsTreatment of an alveolitis (infection of the cavity remaining after a tooth has been extracted) You will have to pay the cost of any services received before the start date of your eligibility for Health Insurance coverage or for the financial assistance program. Recipients for at least 12 consecutive months If you have been a recipient for at least 12 consecutive months, you qualify for the following services: Annual examination and emergency examinationCleaning of teeth and teaching hygiene procedures (from age 12)Fillings using esthetic materials in certain casesGrey amalgam fillings on the premolar and molar teethLocal or general anesthesiaPrefabricated crownsPulpotomy, pulpectomy, and other endodentics services, such as emergency opening of the pulp chamber and sedative dressingsScaling, from age 16The oral surgery services covered in hospitalsTooth and root extractionsX-rays Pulpotomy and pulpectomy are covered only for the primary teeth. For the permanent teeth, pulpotomy is covered only under general anesthesia If you have been a recipient for 24 or more consecutive months, services related to acrylic dental prostheses are added. To benefit from the following services, you must obtain a written authorization from your local employment centre and present it to your participating dentist or denturist: Addition of a structure to an existing partial prosthesisManufacture of a complete or partial acrylic prosthesis and replacement after 8 yearsRe-coating every 5 years, but after a minimum of 3 months after obtaining the prosthesisRepair of prosthesesReplacement of lost or damaged prostheses (non-repairable), covered at 50%Replacement of prostheses following oral surgery The Health Insurance Plan does not cover prostheses on implants and vitallium metal dentures. To find out more, refer to the page Dental care and dentures on Québec.ca. Dependent children Your children are eligible for the following free of charge: Application of fluoride, age 12 to 15 inclusiveRoot canal treatment and apexification on permanent teeth, before age 13 Program Respecting Certain Services Provided by Dental Hygienists The Program Respecting Certain Services Provided by Dental Hygienists came into force on June 1, 2023. Under certain conditions, you may obtain covered services from dental hygienists who practise independently and who have signed an agreement with RAMQ. You can receive these services in the office, in a mobile clinic or at home. Preventative care If you are a recipient of a financial assistance program with a valid claim slip (carnet de réclamation) for at least 12 consecutive months, you qualify for the following services free of charge, once per 12-month period: Persons 12 years of age or over Dental cleaningTeaching and demonstration of oral hygiene measures Persons 16 years of age or over Scaling Persons 12 to 15 years of age Application of fluoride Endodontics You may obtain a free sedative dressing once on a single tooth in a 180-day period if you are: a person under 10 years of agea person 10 years or over, recipient of a financial assistance program with a valid claim slip (carnet de réclamation) for at least 12 consecutive months Evaluation of oral condition You may obtain a free evaluation of oral condition once per 12-month period if you are: a person under 10 years of agea person 10 years or over, recipient of a financial assistance program with a valid claim slip (carnet de réclamation) for at least 12 consecutive months Non-covered services You have to pay for the following services, regardless of your age, situation or the location where you receive them: Apectomy (removal of the root tip of a tooth)Dental implantsOrthodontics (example: fitting of braces, palate expansion or space maintainer)Periodontics (root planing, gum grafts or periodontal surgery, for example)Pit and fissure sealantsProstheses on implantsRecementing of crowns other than prefabricatedVeneersWhitening Frequently asked questions Are the services of the dental hygienist covered when I go to the dentist? No. The services of dental hygienists who are employed by a dentist in office are not covered by RAMQ. If you meet the eligibility requirements, however, you may be able to obtain covered services under the Program Respecting Certain Services Provided by Dental Hygienists. I believe that the costs billed by my dentist are too high or I question the quality of the services received. What can I do? You can file a complaint with the Ordre des dentistes du Québec. By mail Bureau du syndic Ordre des dentistes du Québec 800, boulevard René-Lévesque Ouest, bureau 1640 Montréal (Québec) H3B 1X9 By telephone 514 875-8511, ext. 2270 (Montréal) 1 800 361-4887 (toll free) If the situation is one where laws were not observed, refer to the webpage Report wrongdoing (a person or situation). To file a complaint regarding a service provided by RAMQ, SAAQ or a CLSC, use the form File a complaint on the quality of services. I have a valid claim slip (carnet de réclamation) and I need to change my dental prostheses before the date on which renewal is allowed. Is that possible? If you lose or damage your prosthesis before the end of the 8-year period, you may be eligible for financial assistance. Consult your local employment centre to learn how to obtain the prior authorization needed. I need dental services covered by the claim slip (carnet de réclamation), but am currently in the waiting period. What can I do? You are not eligible for covered services during the waiting period. All services received before your eligibility date as covered dental services are at your expense. When you become eligible, we will cover the dental costs to which you are entitled. Can financial assistance be obtained for orthodontic treatments? No. Orthodontic services are not covered, regardless of the reason for which the treatment is required. The same rule applies to everyone. We therefore cannot reimburse the costs that you may be billed for these services. See also Medical servicesOptometric servicesObtain information on covered servicesProfessionals offering covered servicesComplaint on the quality of services
