Why Don't All Dentists Follow the Alberta Fee Guide?

Each Canadian province and territory has a dental association that is responsible for publishing an annual dental fee guide. This guide contains all available dental treatments and an associated fee that dentists can consider when setting the prices at their respective clinics. It is critical to note that the fees published are suggestions only and dentists are not required to follow them when deciding on their prices.

Here at My Family Dental, WE DO FOLLOW the 2022 Alberta Dental Fee Guide. We believe strongly in providing our patients with high quality dental care at an affordable price.

So, why don’t all dentists follow the suggested fee guide?

The actual prices a clinic sets can vary for many reasons, including:

  • the complexity of a treatment

  • the time it takes to perform a treatment

  • the cost of products and materials used in a treatment

  • the use of specialized equipment

  • sterilization and safety protocols

  • hiring trained and licensed staff

  • ongoing continuing education for the dental staff

Knowing that pricing can vary, one key cost saving strategy is to ask for a pricing breakdown from the dentist prior to receiving your treatment. This way you will have a better idea of what to expect and can shop around to other clinics if the pricing ends up being higher than you anticipated.

Quick Tip: Requesting a pre-determination (or to put it simply - a quote) is common practice for major dental work to be pre-approved by the insurer before treatment starts; however, it's ok to ask your dentist for an estimate before routine treatment too to avoid any financial surprises.

Just know that if you are a patient at My Family Dental, we do not charge above the 2022 Alberta Fee Guide pricing.If you have any questions about our dental fees or your dental insurance, our dental administration team will be happy to answer any questions you may have! Come and see us, new patients are welcome!

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