What if you are thousands of miles away from your home to start your studies at one of the universities in Canada? Everything is new and exciting around you. After a while, the most common question comes to your mind, shared by plenty of international students: toothache. Suddenly, you start worrying about your health insurance in your home country. Will it cover dentists in a place like this? Are you alone in such uncertainty, so far from home? This blog is supposed to

Does International Student Insurance Cover Dental?

By Pushpinder Puri, March 20, 2024, 12 Minutes

Does International Student Insurance Cover Dental

What if you are thousands of miles away from your home to start your studies at one of the universities in Canada? Everything is new and exciting around you. After a while, the most common question comes to your mind, shared by plenty of international students: toothache. Suddenly, you start worrying about your health insurance in your home country. Will it cover dentists in a place like this? Are you alone in such uncertainty, so far from home? This blog is supposed to enlighten you on the details of dental coverage under International Student Insurance Plans in Canada. We will be sharing real stories here, exploring the depth of insurance policies, and guiding you on how to make decisions regarding the best International Student Health Insurance according to your needs. Stay with us as we talk about this subject that so many usually neglect but yet is the lifeline of every international student.

The Basics of International Student Insurance Plans

The Basics of International Student Insurance Plans

Before we set our eyes on dental coverage, let’s first set the stage and learn what International Student Insurance Plans usually contain. These plans protect students from unforeseen medical expenses while studying abroad. Medical plans ensure that all the costs, whether routine doctor visits or emergency medical procedures, remain out of pocket for students, enabling them to focus on their studies without worry.

Real Story: When the Unexpected Happens

So, meet Alex. He’s one of the students here from Brazil. He twisted his ankle while playing soccer. Looking at those expensive bills, Alex was worried but felt lucky that he had International Student Insurance, which covered not just the emergency room he went to but also the treatments required because of it. This story highlights the fundamental value of having a comprehensive health International Student Insurance plan while studying abroad.

Find Out: How to choose an International Insurance Policy?

Find Out: Everything about International Student Insurance

Find Out: What Canadian students need to know about International healthcare?

Why Dental Coverage is Essential in Health Insurance

So, that leads to the question: Does International Student Insurance cover dental care? Well, it is not a straightforward answer, considering dental coverage is so diverse in the different plans.

Understanding the Fine Print

Most of the insurance international students get are limited to dental care coverage, basically focusing on emergency dental procedures but overlooking routine checkups and orthodontics, among others. This is one reason why going through the fine details of your policy is a must.

Real Story: A Painful Lesson Learned

Sophia is an Indian international student. She knew that her insurance covered everything related to dental care, but she was utterly disbelieving when she found out that she had paid out of her own pocket for the costly root canal treatment. Sophia’s story is a stark reminder of the importance of thoroughly understanding your insurance coverage.

Choosing the best International Student Health Insurance for Dental Care

How to choose the best International Student Health Insurance for Dental Care

With the above in mind, how, then, do you choose the best International Student Health Insurance that has dental coverage? Consider these tips:

Find and compare: Don’t let the first plan that pops up be your go-to. Compare different plans to see which offers comprehensive dental coverage.

Understand Your Need: Understand the nature of your dental health and possible requirements. If a member’s dental health is already problematic, find a plan with broader coverage.

Ask: Feel free to seek advice from fellow international students or student services from your university.

Real Story: Making an Intelligent Choice

Ming, who is an international student from China, spent days researching many health coverage insurance plans in Canada. Having encountered so many dental problems, Ming finally landed a plan that would give him peace of mind for the rest of his life.

Exploring Dental Insurance Claims as an International Student

Understanding how to make a claim for a dental service is as important as the coverage itself. We will break this process down into easy steps while ensuring you are ready to pay that visit to the dentist.

Real Story: Understanding the Claims Process

Lena from Germany had a claim to file after a dental procedure with an emergency dentist. At first, she was really confused, but with the help of her insurance provider, she provided all the needed documents and then received her money back. No problems have appeared. Proactively demonstrating how claims are managed is key.

Get The Best Insurance Quote From Canadian L.I.C

Call 1 844-542-4678 to speak to our advisors.

Final Words: Your Smile Is Worth Protecting

Dental is a common feature in all the International Student Insurance Plans offered in Canada. Policies could be different, but knowledge of the same and making an informed choice as per your own requirement would no doubt save you from unnecessary expenses and hassles. Don’t let dental problems spoil your exciting journey as an international student. Instead, let your insurance plan help in a way so that both your health and smile remain perfect.

Now that you know, go ahead and move. Review your current plan or look into new plans. Ensure your dental health is cared for for those important things: to make the most out of your Canadian study-abroad experience.

Take Action Today

Why does a sudden dental emergency have to make you realize all the things that your insurance does not cover? Instead, act now and review your policy or find the ideal international student health insurance plan that suits you best so that your future self—and your smile—thank you.

Get in touch with insurance experts today for the best guidance and support 

Find Out: What kind of medical insurance do international students get?

Get The Best Insurance Quote From Canadian L.I.C

Call 1 844-542-4678 to speak to our advisors.

FAQs on Dental Coverage for International Students

Not all plans cover dental care, as there is one huge difference between different International Student Insurance Plans. Some provide limited coverage for a dental emergency operation, but they will not cover a visit to the orthodontics or regular examination.

Emergency dental procedures are usually required in the case of unexpected dental injuries or severe pain. Some of the complications or injuries that may require immediate dental care include dental trauma from an accident or an acute infection.

Please feel free to refer to your insurance within the mentioned detailed policy documentation to define whether some particular type of dental procedure is covered or not. If the information has stayed unclear or specific questions emerge, you can always call the insurance number.

Knowing the fine print lets you know exactly what your insurance really does cover and what it doesn’t. This way, you can avoid surprise costs that were not part of the deal and get yourself ready for any health situation.

Yes, some of the plans do provide for dental coverage issues, including prevention and orthodontics treatment. But again, the premium one has to pay for such a plan could also be on the higher side. However, make sure that you shop around and compare to get the best for you.

If you need a procedure that’s not covered, you will likely have to pay out-of-pocket. However, it’s interesting to note that some dental clinics allow you to shop around for reasonable prices, while others offer payment plans for interested parties and even student discounts.

The charges for dental insurance premiums vary according to the level of coverage. Some offer comprehensive dental coverage and, therefore, may be a little costly compared to the ones that offer limited or, at times, no dental coverage. When searching for insurance, consider both the cost and the extent of coverage to find a balance that works for you.

Developing good oral hygiene and taking a lot of preventive care can save you from needing expensive dental treatments. Some dental schools also offer services at reduced rates, either done by professionals for reduced pay or by international students under professional supervision.

Most institutions have resources and advice for international students. Some even include a description of health insurance coverage. The best place to start is by speaking to a student advisor at the institution’s International Office. However, other sources of helpful information are the online forums, communities, and other groups of international students in Canada that offer recommendations based on experience.

Your health and well-being should be given priority in the event of an emergency. Thus, you will need to seek immediate care. In those cases where your health coverage does not cater to such a procedure, it is only you who incur the cost all by yourself. You should then be able to proceed with discussing the possibility of getting financial assistance or the availability of dental payment plans in their clinic.

This is where one needs to pay attention to details of the health care coverage like the treatment the dental insurance covers, the type that includes normal checkups for emergencies or orthodontic care; also, look for any limitations, exclusions, deductibles, and a maximum amount that can be covered.

You may get separate dental insurance or dental coverage that pays specifically for anything not paid for in your primary health insurance policy. It’s a practical compromise to ensure that you get treated for everything that you would need to get treated for.

Some other insurance or health care coverage may cover all treatments associated with the pre-existing condition. You will definitely look at the terms for pre-existing conditions. Another pre-existing dental condition may vary from one insurance company to another; some may not provide all such treatments linked to the dental problem, or they could do so after the elapse of some waiting period.

Generally, the procedure of claiming is as simple as just completing a claims form with your insurance company, attaching the receipt for dental treatments, and any other documentation. This process typically involves precise steps and documentation; hence, be sure to refer to your policy or contact your insurance provider.

However, in most cases, even when the clinic is not directly billing your insurance company, you’ll be required to make some kind of up-front payment. You would then seek reimbursement from your insurance provider by submitting a claim.

Repayment time, of course, varies depending on the insurer and the extent to which your claim was filled out, but that normally is a couple of weeks up to a few months. Always check with your insurer for exact details.

It depends on your insurance: some do allow any licensed dentist, while others may require visiting only those who are within their network for coverage. Always check with your company or insurance provider.

Health insurance plans for international students usually do not include any cosmetic work on teeth, such as bleaching or veneers. Most of the plans are written such that they, in most cases, pay only if the treatment is medically necessary.

First, look over the reason for denial as stated by your insurance company. In the event that you are denied the claim wrongly, you can file an appeal by supplying extra documents or clarification, which the insurance provider needs.

You might want to ask your fellow international students or your university health services for recommendations. You can find a list of dental care providers in your area through the help of online directories and search engines. Moreover, some insurance plans may even have a list of contracted or networked providers.

Sources and Further Reading

To provide further reading and sources we would recommend exploring a variety of resources that offer detailed information about international student insurance plans, dental coverage specifics, how to choose the best plan, and understanding insurance policies. Below are types of sources and specific topics they might cover to enrich your blog:

Government and Educational Institution Resources

Insurance Company Websites:

Healthcare Guides and Articles:

Forums and Student Communities:

Financial and Student Support Services:

Dental Care Providers in Canada:

Legal and Regulatory Resources:

Key Takeaways

Your Feedback Is Very Important To Us






















    The above information is only meant to be informative. It comes from Canadian LIC’s own opinions, which can change at any time. This material is not meant to be financial or legal advice, and it should not be interpreted as such. If someone decides to act on the information on this page, Canadian LIC is not responsible for what happens. Every attempt is made to provide accurate and up-to-date information on Canadian LIC. Some of the terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, termination, and other parts of the policies mentioned above may not be included, which may be important to the policy choice. For full details, please refer to the actual policy documents. If there is any disagreement, the language in the actual policy documents will be used. All rights reserved.

    Please let us know if there is anything that should be updated, removed, or corrected from this article. Send an email to Contact@canadianlic.com or Info@canadianlic.com

    The Basics of International Student Insurance Plans