Which dental services are free for my child with the RAMQ?

General information, not medical advice. According to the RAMQ, children under 10 receive several dental services free of charge in a dental clinic or in a hospital setting: for example the annual exam and the emergency exam, x-rays, local or general anesthesia, tooth extractions, certain fillings and root canal treatments. These services are covered when provided by a dentist who participates in the plan. To benefit, your child must present their valid health insurance card. Some services are not covered for anyone, regardless of age, such as pit and fissure sealants or orthodontics.

Key facts

Age

Children under 10.

Where

In a dental clinic or in a hospital setting, with a dentist who participates in the plan.

Cost

Free for covered services, upon presentation of the valid health insurance card.

Not covered, regardless of age

Among others: apicoectomy, whitening, veneers, dental implants, orthodontics, periodontics, implant-supported prostheses, recementing of crowns other than prefabricated ones, pit and fissure sealants.

Recently arrived child

The health insurance waiting period does not apply to children under 18.

Other program

The Canadian Dental Care Plan may cover part of the costs; the RAMQ does not manage that program.

Steps

1. Check that your child is under 10 and registered for health insurance. A child born in Québec is registered automatically if the parents are eligible at the time of birth. For a child arriving from elsewhere, there is a registration process (see the RAMQ page on registration).
2. Choose a dentist who participates in the public plan: the RAMQ covers certain services provided by dentists and denturologists who participate in it.
3. Present your child's valid health insurance card at every visit. The RAMQ states that this is what allows you to receive covered care free of charge.
4. The services covered for children under 10 in a dental clinic or in a hospital setting include: local or general anesthesia, prefabricated metal crowns, the annual exam and the emergency exam, tooth and root extractions, frenectomy, grey amalgam fillings (premolars and molars), white esthetic-material fillings in some cases, x-rays and endodontic treatments.
5. For root canal treatments, the page specifies that root canal treatment and apexification are covered for permanent teeth, and that pulpotomy and pulpectomy are covered for primary (baby) teeth.
6. Ask the dentist in advance whether the planned care is covered. The RAMQ states that some services must be paid for regardless of age, such as pit and fissure sealants, orthodontics, whitening and dental implants.
7. If you paid for covered care because you could not present the card, but the card was valid, you can ask the RAMQ for a reimbursement.

General information drawn from official sources. It does not replace legal, medical or financial advice. For your situation, contact the organization concerned or a professional.