Teeth Cleaning Cost in Canada (2026)
Dental cleaning in Canada is priced per scaling unit (15-minute blocks). In 2026 a unit costs $54 CAD in PEI to $87 in Alberta (from our dataset). A typical 3-unit appointment runs $162–$262 CAD. The CDCP covers up to 4 units per 12 months for adults — no pre-authorization needed within the cap. Alberta is the most expensive province; PEI and Nova Scotia are the least expensive.
Estimate your CDCP out-of-pocket cost
Scaling and cleaning are among the most straightforward CDCP claims: covered up to 4 units per 12 months for adults aged 17 and up, with no pre-authorization within the frequency limit. Select your province and income tier to estimate your cost.
Teeth Cleaning CDCP Out-of-Pocket Calculator
Province × income tier — scaling cost 2026 in CAD
paymentsCDCP Coverage & Out-of-Pocket Estimate
* Estimates based on 2025–2026 provincial suggested-fee guides (CAD). Actual costs vary by province and provider; figures flagged as estimates are modelled.
The CDCP reimburses on its own established fee grid, which is often below the provincial suggested-fee guide. Even at the under-$70,000 tier (100% coverage) you may owe a balance if your dentist bills above the CDCP rate.
Teeth Cleaning Cost by Province (Canada 2026)
The chart below shows the scaling fee per unit from 2026 provincial suggested-fee guides. Manitoba, Quebec and Saskatchewan figures are modelled estimates (members-only guides); all others are from the published guide.
Scaling (per unit, 15-minute increments). Source: Real Dental Costs analysis of 2025–2026 provincial suggested-fee guides. Manitoba, Quebec and Saskatchewan marked as estimates.
| Province | Scaling per unit (CAD) | Official? |
|---|---|---|
| Prince Edward Island | $54 | Yes (DAPEI 2025) |
| Nova Scotia | $56 | Yes (NSDA 2026) |
| Manitoba | $50–$70 | Estimate |
| Saskatchewan | $50–$58 | Estimate |
| British Columbia | $58.80–$60.72 | Yes (BCDA 2026) |
| Quebec | $55–$65 | Estimate (ACDQ 2025) |
| Ontario | $65–$70 | Yes (ODA 2026) |
| New Brunswick | $72.10–$74.05 | Estimate (NBDS 2026) |
| Newfoundland | $76.96 | Yes (NLDHA 2026) |
| Alberta | $87.25 | Yes (Alberta DA 2026) |
How many units does a typical cleaning take?
| Buildup level | Units | Approx. time | Approx. total cost (national) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild (light tartar) | 1–2 | 15–30 min | $65–$130 |
| Moderate | 3–4 | 45–60 min | $195–$260 |
| Heavy / first visit in years | 5–6 | 75–90 min | $325–$390 |
| Deep cleaning (SRP, per arch) | 4–8 | Multiple appts | $260–$520+ |
What does a teeth cleaning include?
A standard professional cleaning at a Canadian dental office typically includes:
- Scaling — removal of plaque (soft deposit) and calculus/tartar (hardened deposit) from all tooth surfaces using hand instruments or an ultrasonic scaler. This is the unit-billed component.
- Polishing — smoothing enamel surfaces with a prophy paste to reduce future plaque adhesion. Usually bundled into the cleaning appointment; not always billed separately.
- Fluoride treatment — optional topical fluoride to strengthen enamel; often included in routine recall appointments, especially for children.
The recall exam (checking for cavities, gum health, oral cancer screening) is a separate charge — typically $41–$139 CAD — and is also CDCP-covered, 1 per 12 months.
CDCP coverage for cleaning: the frequency rule in detail
The CDCP combines scaling and root planing into a single annual unit cap:
- Age 17 and up: 4 units per 12-month period (scaling + root planing combined)
- Ages 13–16: covered with different frequency rules
- Age 12 and under: separate pediatric schedule
If you need more than 4 units in a 12-month period — for example, a deep cleaning requiring 8 units — your dentist must obtain pre-authorization before performing the extra units. Without pre-authorization, the additional units will not be reimbursed.
Polishing is covered separately under the CDCP preventive section without the unit cap.
Regular cleaning vs deep cleaning (scaling and root planing)
A regular cleaning (prophylaxis) targets plaque and tartar above and at the gumline. It is primarily preventive and is covered within the standard unit cap.
A deep cleaning — clinically known as scaling and root planing (SRP) — is a treatment for gum disease (periodontitis). It cleans below the gumline, into the periodontal pockets that form when gums pull away from inflamed teeth. SRP is:
- Performed under local anaesthetic
- Typically completed in 2–4 quadrant appointments
- Charged at the same per-unit rate as regular scaling but requires more units (commonly 4–8 units total)
- Covered by CDCP within the combined unit cap; extra units need pre-authorization
For a detailed cost breakdown of deep cleaning separately, see our Deep Cleaning & Scaling Root Planing Cost guide.
Open dataset
Scaling fees on this page come from our publicly licensed dataset:
Manitoba, Quebec and Saskatchewan scaling figures are estimates; all others are from the published provincial guide.
Related pages
- Deep Cleaning & Scaling Root Planing Cost — SRP units, cost breakdown, and gum disease treatment costs
- CDCP Coverage Guide — full coverage matrix, income tiers, pre-authorization rules
- Dental Checkup & Exam Cost — recall exam fees by province
- Gum Disease Treatment Cost — periodontitis treatment options and costs
- Dental Costs in Canada — all procedures, recall exam to implants
Frequently asked questions
How much does a teeth cleaning cost in Canada?
Does the CDCP cover teeth cleanings?
What is the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning?
How often is a teeth cleaning covered by CDCP?
What is a scaling unit?
Independent dental pricing research — figures verified against provincial suggested-fee guides (ODA, ACDQ, BCDA, etc.) and the CDCP coverage rules published on canada.ca. Pricing/market research, not medical or dental advice.
This page provides pricing and market research information, NOT medical or dental advice. Real Dental Costs is an independent data publisher and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or Sun Life Financial. Manitoba, Quebec and Saskatchewan scaling figures are modelled estimates from neighbouring-province guides and are flagged as such in our dataset.