Does Dental Insurance Cover Sedation?

A cover about does dental insurance cover sedation.

Sedation dentistry allows you to relax during a painful dental procedure, such as a tooth extraction. You can get rid of dental anxiety by asking your dentist for a sedative. Of course, you want to know does dental insurance cover sedation.

Dental procedures such as implants and tooth extraction are already expensive. You may not want to increase your out-of-pocket expenses even further by opting for sedation if it’s not covered by insurance.

So, let’s explore whether dental insurance covers sedation, and if so, which one.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Sedation?

You don’t have to worry about getting disappointed by the answer to does dental insurance cover sedation. Canadian insurance packages usually offer coverage for sedation dentistry.

Provincial programs by the government offer coverage for mild to moderate sedation. Such packages also cover deep sedation options, but you may have to get pre-authorization.

A list of types of dental sedation covered by insurance.

Sedation dentistry is also covered by private insurance packages by Sun Life, Canada Life, and other companies.

Dental Insurance That Covers Sedation Dentistry In Canada

Various insurance programs in Canada offer coverage for sedation dentistry. These include:

1. Healthy Smiles Ontario

Healthy Smiles Ontario is a government dental program that offers dental care to children aged 17 or below. One of the services covered under this program includes dental anesthesia.

The program covers conscious sedation options, such as oral sedation by pill or liquid. You can also enjoy coverage for unconscious sedation, such as IV sedation or general anesthesia.

A key thing to remember when using Healthy Smiles Ontario for dental sedation is that the treatment procedure should be eligible with the program. For example, a dental implant is not covered under this plan.

If your child requires dental anesthesia during an implant, you cannot receive coverage under Healthy Smiles Ontario.

2. Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program

The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (ODSCP) is a free routine dental care plan that is designed for seniors aged 65 or above. You can get dental cleaning, oral X-rays, tooth removal, and other procedures done under the OSDCP.

What’s so great is that you can enjoy dental anesthesia coverage for any treatment that is eligible under the ODSCP. For instance, you may be getting a tooth removed under the government program. You can ask your dentist to anesthetize you during the removal because your plan will cover sedation dentistry.

3. Ontario Disability Support Program

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is mainly for disabled Ontario residents. It offers emergency dental treatment coverage that includes services such as X-rays, oral surgery, and more.

Many people in Canada have also received coverage for general anesthesia during an ODSP-eligible treatment. Let’s suppose your dentist recommends you undergo oral surgery for gum disease or dental infection.

Since the disease is eligible for ODSP coverage, you can receive anesthesia with it if you wish to. This is especially true if the procedure cannot be done without sedating you.

4. Canadian Dental Care Plan

In 2025, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is one of the most talked-about dental projects. Unlike the earlier programs, CDCP is a federal plan that reduces the cost of dental procedures all across Canada.

It covers an extensive range of services such as:

  • Teeth fillings

  • Dentures

  • Gum disease treatment

  • Dental examinations

  • Tooth extraction 

With all these procedures, you can opt for dental anesthesia. The Canadian Dental Care Plan offers mild to moderate conscious sedation options without any prior approval. If you wish to receive deep sedation such as general anesthesia or IV anesthesia, you must request preauthorization.

Once the authorities approve the request for deep sedation, you can get your dental treatment with general anesthesia at any CDCP participating dentist.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Sedation For Two Hours?

Sedation dentistry cost is determined by units of time in the Canadian dental care system. For example, oral sedation for one unit of time equals 15 minutes of sedation.

Meanwhile, 8 units of time refer to two hours of dental sedation. The best thing about insurance coverage is that there are no time restrictions. Government plans can cover you from 15 minutes to 2.5 hours of dental sedation.

Sometimes the maximum time may be increased from 2.5 hours to 3 hours or even more, depending on the dental provider. If a dental surgery for children or youth takes more than 2.5 hours, the dentist in Bridgeport may help you receive coverage for the additional time.

How Much Does Dental Sedation Cost Without Insurance?

Dental sedation cost range from $93 to more than $1,000 without insurance. The exact cost depends on various factors such as:

The three factors affecting dental sedation cost.

Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia are three provinces where dental sedation costs are relatively higher. You will receive a large medical bill if you opt for dental anesthesia without insurance. That’s why you should always consult your dentist in Bridgeport about dental insurance that covers sedation dentistry. 

FAQs

Does Dental Insurance Cover Sedation For Children?

Dental insurance in Canada offers multiple cost reductions for dental anesthesia for children. That’s because kids require sedation more often than adults due to fear of procedure, pain, and discomfort.

Is Ontario Works A Dental Insurance That Covers Sedation?

Ontario Works doesn’t cover dental sedation because the program only covers medically necessary treatments. Anesthesia is an optional service that most people don’t require, which is why Ontario Works doesn’t cover it.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Local Anesthesia?

Local anesthesia cost is usually covered in your treatment bill. It doesn’t incur any additional charge like deep sedation. This means when the insurance company covers your procedure cost, it will cover local anesthesia, too.

How Do I Ask My Dentist For Sedation?

During your initial consultation with a dentist in Bridgeport, you should let them know your concerns about getting the procedure without anesthesia. They’ll listen to your worries and offer you sedation options which can be used with the procedure you’re getting.

Enjoy A Painless Dental Procedure At KWC Dental With Advanced Sedation Dentistry

Now that you have the answers to does dental insurance cover sedation and the types of dental insurance that covers sedation, it’s time to consult a dentist. KWC Dental is one of the leading dentists in Bridgeport that offers advanced sedation dentistry options.

The best thing is that our clinic participates in various government dental insurance programs, including the CDCP. You can enjoy a comfortable and painless treatment at KWC Dental with our sedation dentistry service. Contact us today to book an appointment for dental surgery with sedation!

Muhammad AslamComment