Going to the doctor in Canada is free, but the second the problem is in your mouth, it can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Sure, there’s insurance. But only about one in three Canadians actually have it, which means most are paying out of pocket for even basic care.
I called more than 20 dental clinics across the country to see what kind of payment plans are out there. The response was all over the place. Some offices will hold your hand and walk you through their options; others just point you to their website.
The good news is that most clinics have some sort of financing option, but naturally, some are better than others. Let me explain.
Paying the Clinic Directly
Let’s start with the simplest option, working out a plan directly with your dentist.
Some offices will let you make payments to them instead of going through a lender. These are usually short-term, like six to twelve months, and sometimes interest-free. Most ask for a deposit up front, usually $500 to $1,000, and sometimes do a soft credit check.
These plans are not often advertised, but they can be the cheapest option. For example, Orthodontic Associates in St. John’s offers in-house, interest-free plans for orthodontic work. And Centre Dentaire de Haute Technologie in Montreal told me they sometimes arrange in-house financing if you meet with the office manager.
Using a Financing Company
Now, if your bill is bigger or your clinic doesn’t handle payments itself, this is where third-party lenders come in.
Many clinics use companies like Dentalcard, Fairstone, or LendCare. These companies pay the dentist, and you pay them back monthly. Most need a bill of $2,000 or more and a credit score of around 600 to 650 to qualify.
- Dentalcard (iFinance): Up to six or seven years to pay, interest usually 10 per cent or more. Some clinics offer zero per cent promos, but dentists pay a fee for those, and that can be built into your bill. Riverpark Dental in London, ON and GoDental in Calgary both use Dentalcard.
- Fairstone: Works more like a personal loan. Rates usually start at 19 per cent. Fairstone is also the financing partner of the 123Dentist network, which includes clinics across Canada.
- LendCare: Lets you spread payments over months or years, with rates usually between 10 and 20 per cent. Outdoor Dental in Calgary uses LendCare.
Dentists like these lenders because they get paid right away. For patients, the downside is higher costs and interest.
Buy Now, Pay Later
Then there’s the newer option you’ve probably seen while shopping online: Buy Now, Pay Later. Some clinics now use services like Affirm for financing. Approval is usually instant, and most need a credit score of about 600 or higher.
- Short plans like “Pay in 4” are often interest-free.
- Longer plans typically add interest, often 10 to 15 per cent.
- Some clinics promote zero per cent offers, but those depend on approval.
For example, Sullivan Heights Dental in Surrey, BC, Park Place Dental in Barrie, ON, and Avenue Dental Centre in Winnipeg, MB all use Affirm.
BNPL can be cheaper than a credit card if you pay it off on schedule.
Putting It on a Credit Card
And of course, there are credit cards. Almost every clinic takes Visa, Mastercard, and often Amex. No credit check is needed, but you need room on your card. Credit cards are the easiest option, but also the most expensive. Most charge 19 to 22 per cent interest if you don’t pay the balance right away.
Things to Know Before You Finance
- Most third-party lenders only finance bills over $2,000.
- If your credit isn’t great, in-house plans might be the only option.
- Lenders and Buy Now Pay Later services often run credit checks, and applying more than once can hurt your score.
- Missed or late payments come with extra fees, just like a credit card.
There’s Also Insurance
Many Canadians have dental benefits through their job, and sometimes employers even cover part of the monthly premium.
Plus, the new Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is rolling out for families with incomes under $90,000, with full coverage for those under $70,000. To see if you qualify, visit the Government of Canada’s CDCP page. If you’re approved, you’ll get a card to use at the dentist, just like insurance.
Clinics That Offer Financing
Here are 20 clinics across Canada that have payment plans. It's a snapshot meant to give a sense of what’s out there from coast to coast.
| Clinic Name | Location | Type of Plan(s) | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontic Associates | St. John’s, NL | In-house, interest free (orthodontics only) | orthodonticassociates.ca |
| Evergreen Dental | Dartmouth, NS | Dentalcard | evergreendental.ca |
| Bridgeview Dental / Smile Halifax | Halifax, NS | Dentalcard (some interest-free options) | smilehalifax.ca |
| Centre Dentaire de Haute Technologie | Montreal, QC | Fairstone (interest free) and in-house (by appointment) | |
| Riverpark Dental | London, ON | Dentalcard | riverparkdental.ca |
| Park Place Dental | Barrie, ON | Buy Now Pay Later (Affirm) | barrieparkplacedental.ca |
| Emery Village Dental | North York, ON | Buy Now Pay Later (Affirm) | emeryvillagedental.ca |
| Grover Dental Care | Hamilton, ON | Buy Now Pay Later (Affirm) and Dentalcard (different locations) | groverdentalcare.com |
| Woodstock Square Dental | Woodstock, ON | Buy Now Pay Later (Affirm) | woodstocksquaredental.ca |
| Yazdani Dental | Kanata & Kemptville, ON | Dentalcard | yazdanidental.ca |
| Dental Dreams | Winnipeg, MB | iFinance Dentalcard | dentaldreams.ca |
| Avenue Dental Centre | Winnipeg, MB | Buy Now Pay Later (Affirm) | avenuedentalwinnipeg.ca |
| Macleod Trail Dental | Calgary, AB | Buy Now Pay Later (Affirm, some 0% APR promos) | macleodtraildental.ca |
| GoDental | Calgary, AB | Dentalcard | godental.ca |
| Harvest Dental | Cochrane & Calgary, AB | Dentalcard | harvestdental.ca |
| Outdoor Dental | Calgary, AB | LendCare | outdoor.dental |
| Aqua Dental Centre | Vancouver, BC | None offered | aquadental.ca |
| Alta Dental Studio | Vancouver, BC | Buy Now Pay Later (Affirm) | altadental.ca |
| Sullivan Heights Dental | Surrey, BC | Buy Now Pay Later (Affirm) | sullivanheightsdental.ca |
| Cloverdale Dental Centre | Surrey, BC | Dentalcard | cloverdaledentalbc.com |
| The Dental Centre PEI | Charlottetown, PEI | In-house, interest free (short-term) | thedentalcentrepei.com |
