Dental Cleaning Cost In Toronto: Fees, Insurance & What’s Included

A routine dental cleaning in Toronto typically costs around $150-350 if you don’t have insurance. Adding an exam and X-rays normally puts the price at $250-500+. If you want deep cleaning for gum disease, it’s a separate expense. The good news is the Canadian Dental Care Plan, available to Canadians who meet certain criteria, can significantly reduce how much you pay.

It’s important to keep in mind that these are Toronto/Ontario market estimates, not a guaranteed fee schedule or quote from our team at HealthOne. Although many dental offices use the Ontario Dental Association’s (ODA) Suggested Fee Guide as a reference, they aren’t obligated to use those prices. You should always assess a clinic’s actual prices before moving forward with any service.  At HealthOne, we offer competitive pricing in downtown Toronto from some of the city’s best oral health professionals.

In this blog, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about dental cleaning costs in Toronto.

How Much Does a Dental Cleaning Cost In Toronto?

Dental cleaning isn’t a simple, one-price procedure. In Ontario, dental offices bill each part of the visit under its own procedure code. This is why your invoice could look different from someone else who came in for the same procedure.

What’s Included In a Dental Cleaning?

It’s easiest to think of dental cleaning as an invoice, rather than a package. Your visit might include some or all of the items below, and not every adult needs each one. Everyone’s oral health needs are different based on their anatomy, hygiene habits, and how often they get cleanings.

• Scaling: A procedure that removes plaque and calculus (tartar) buildup. This is often the largest hygiene-related charge and biggest variable. It’s billed based on how much time it takes, with one unit equal to about 15 minutes. Someone with minimal buildup might need one or two units, while someone who hasn’t had a dental cleaning in years might need several. Helpful tip: multi-unit charges aren’t always the same as the first-unit price multiplied. Always check your written estimate rather than calculating it on your own.

• Polishing: A separate procedure that smooths tooth surfaces and removes light surface stains. Normally about $35-45.

• Fluoride: A professionally applied treatment that prevents tooth decay and protects the teeth. Typically about $25-40.

• Dental exam: Existing patients may get a recall exam, while new patients may get a comprehensive exam or a specific exam for a particular concern. Comprehensive exams cost more because the assessment includes more components.

• X-rays: Imaging used to get a closer and more thorough look at the teeth and gums. X-rays aren’t required at every cleaning; most dentists take them when clinically necessary and bill by the type and number. For example, the codes and costs vary for bitewing, periapical, and panoramic images. If you recently had X-rays taken at another dental clinic, your new dentist may allow you to transfer your records.

Because exams and hygiene are different types of services, your invoice will list them individually. This also allows insurance companies to determine coverage for each item.

What Affects the Cost?

• Scaling time. This is often the biggest factor. If you’ve waited a long time since your last dental cleaning, it doesn’t necessarily mean your visit will be expensive. However, accumulated deposits can take up more of the hygienist’s time. Sticking with the schedule your dentist recommends can help the cost be more predictable.

• Whether you need an exam. If you’re a new patient, you’re more likely to require a comprehensive assessment compared to an existing patient.

• Whether you need X-rays. You’ll need to pay more if you need updated imaging compared to a patient whose X-rays are still clinically relevant.

• Gum health. Periodontal treatment takes significantly more time than routine hygiene. More details are below.

• The clinic’s fee schedule. Factors like rent, staffing, equipment, and the patient’s case complexity all influence a clinic’s costs.

Routine Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning

Now, let’s get into the difference between routine cleaning and deep cleaning. They aren’t versions of the same appointment - they’re actually quite different. A routine cleaning removes deposits from tooth surfaces, whereas a deep cleaning (usually scaling and root planing [SRP]) treats below the gumline and along the root surfaces. Deep cleaning is sometimes recommended after a periodontal assessment. Just because you have tartar buildup doesn’t immediately mean you need one, and the decision should be based on your provider’s judgment, not the cost.

Localized treatment cost is based on how many areas are treated and how long it takes. If your provider suggests a “deep cleaning”, ask for a list of the procedures and areas involved. This way, you can accurately compare estimates and won’t experience any surprise costs. We also recommend asking for a written treatment plan if you’re getting periodontal care, so you understand the anticipated areas or units beforehand.

Does Insurance Cover Dental Cleaning?

Yes. Insurance often covers dental cleaning, but it varies from plan to plan. Many employer plans cover exams, scaling, polishing and other preventative services and reimburse up to 80-100% of fees; however, this is never a guarantee and individual plans may pay less. A common example is Sun Life, which currently has personalized plans advertised as reimbursing 60-80% of preventative dental expenses (subject to annual limits and recall intervals).

You should never assume your cleaning is covered. Always make sure to check:

• Reimbursement percentage. It could be 70%, 80%, 90%, or even 100%.

• Scaling allowance: Some plans have a maximum number of scaling units per benefit period.

• Recall frequency: This refers to how often an exam is covered - such as every six or nine months.

• Annual maximum: Once you reach it, any additional costs are your responsibility.

• Fee-guide year: Some insurance companies reimburse using an earlier year’s fee guide instead of the clinic’s current fees.

This is why if you and a friend both have 80% coverage, they could still look very different. Another important tip is that direct billing isn’t the same as full coverage. Direct billing means the clinic will submit eligible charges to your insurer, and you still might owe deductibles, co-insurance, non-covered services, or the gap between the insurer’s eligible amount and the clinic’s fee.

Does the CDCP Cover Cleanings?

The CDCP, known as the Canadian Dental Care Plan, provides funding to eligible Canadians for different dental services. This includes scaling/cleaning, exams, and X-rays, but coverage isn’t always 100%. The amount covered depends on your adjusted family net income.

Keep in mind, these percentages apply to the CDCP-established fee, which may be different from what your dental office charges. Even at the 100% tier, if your provider charges more, you could owe the difference. The Government of Canada’s example shows two scaling units billed above the CDCP charge. Frequency limits also apply, and extra scaling above standard limits may require preauthorization.

The rules, fees, and coverage periods from the CDCP can change, so you should always confirm your eligibility and expected coverage beforehand. You can check this with your dental provider and the official CDCP program before treatment.

Is Regular Dental Cleaning Covered by OHIP?

On the topic of dental cleanings, you may be wondering if dental cleaning is covered by OHIP. The answer is no - Ontario lists dental cleanings as a service that OHIP doesn’t cover. Regular exams, scaling, polishing, and preventative cleanings aren’t included. Certain medically necessary dental surgeries performed in a hospital may be.

Is Regular Dental Cleaning Worth the Cost?

Another question many people have is whether dental cleanings are worth the cost. When it comes to your health, prevention is always the way to go. A routine dental cleaning may cost a few hundred dollars, which is generally much cheaper than advanced dental problems that could happen later.

This doesn’t mean every missed cleaning will lead to issues like fillings or root canals, since everyone’s teeth and outcomes are different. But generally speaking, preventative visits set you up for better oral health, which is likely to cost less in the long-run. If you have health benefits, it’s always a good idea to check if you have unused preventative coverage before it expires.

How to Get an Accurate Quote?

If you’re wondering how much your dental cleaning might cost, online quotes are a good starting point. But remember, they’re just that - quotes. They can’t predict your specific needs, like how many scaling units or X-rays you might require. Instead of asking a clinic if they accept insurance, it’s smart to ask for an itemized estimate that shows:

• type of dental exam

• estimated number of scaling units

• expected X-rays

• polishing

• fluoride, if recommended

• any periodontal services

• estimated insurance or CDCP reimbursement

• your expected out-of-pocket amount

When you’re comparing clinics, make sure you’re comparing the same procedures, not just the word “cleaning”. This will help you get the most accurate pricing and allow you to determine which clinic to visit.

HealthOne Dental offers exams and hygiene appointments at our three Toronto locations. We’re also accepting new patients! Because we don’t publish a single fixed cleaning fee, we provide a personalized estimate based on the services you need and your insurance or CDCP coverage. This provides you with the information you actually need: how much the appointment will cost.