You may be wondering: "Can I claim dental expenses on my taxes in Canada?"
Especially if you’ve recently had dental work, such as a root canal or wisdom teeth removal.
The short answer is yes, you can.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) allows you to deduct eligible dental expenses using the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC).
This means that treatments from licensed dental professionals can lower your taxable income, especially if you had several procedures in a year.
If you live in Ontario and wonder, "Can I claim dental expenses on my taxes Ontario?", the same rules apply.
However, let's explore the subject further below.
Under the CRA, you can claim most dental procedures if they are necessary.
These treatments include:
For example, if you had a root canal in Canada, you can claim those costs if your insurance didn’t reimburse you.
Still, you cannot claim cosmetic procedures like professional teeth whitening in Ontario because they are for aesthetic purposes, not medical needs.
To claim your dental expenses, follow these steps:
1. Always collect invoices that include your dentist’s name, address, and registration number.
2. Total your expenses by adding up all eligible dental expenses paid over the last 12 months ending in the current tax year.
3. Report your expenses on Line 33099 for yourself or your spouse, and Line 33199 for dependents.
4. Subtract insurance payments and only claim the amount you paid out of pocket.
For example, if your wisdom teeth removal in Ontario costs $1,500 and your insurance reimburses $900, you can claim $600.
However, keep in mind that:
Patients often ask: "Can I claim dental expenses on my taxes in Ontario?"
Well, yes. You don’t need a separate form for your claims.
The CRA manages both federal and provincial claims.
At Junction Family Dental Care, many of our patients file expenses for treatments like:
The same CRA medical credit applies whether you are filing in Toronto, Mississauga, or anywhere else in Ontario.
You can claim dental expenses that you or your spouse paid for, including costs for:
For example, if your child had braces or your parent needed a dental implant, you can include those expenses on your tax return.
You can claim any amount for eligible expenses, but first your medical and dental costs must be more than the lower of 3% of your income or about $2,834 (this is the threshold for 2025).
For example, if you earn $70,000, 3% is $2,100.
You can claim any medical and dental expenses that go over this amount.
Some costs you might overlook but can claim include:
For example, if you had your wisdom teeth removed and got stitches, both the surgery and the prescribed medication are eligible costs.
Yes.
You can usually claim most necessary dental treatments under the CRA’s Medical Expense Tax Credit.
However, be careful about the treatments you cannot claim.
Ontario follows the same federal guidelines, so you don’t need any extra provincial forms.
Yes, orthodontic treatments are deductible.
You can still claim eligible out-of-pocket expenses even if you don’t have insurance.
The CRA clearly states what you cannot claim on your taxes.
If a dental procedure is performed solely for aesthetic purposes, such as teeth whitening, cosmetic veneers, or elective smile makeovers, it does not qualify for the Medical Expense Tax Credit.
This also includes over-the-counter products like whitening strips, mouthwash, or toothpaste.
If you’ve been asking yourself: "Can I claim dental expenses on my taxes in Canada or Ontario?, the answer is yes.
Keep your smile healthy with help from Junction Family Dental Care. With the right care and documentation, you can save money on your next tax return.
Schedule an appointment with us.
