Alberta Dental Fee Guide
The Alberta Dental Fee Guide, also called the ADA Fee Guide, is a yearly list of suggested prices for common dental treatments in Alberta. Image Dental Care follows the 2026 guide for our patients across Red Deer. With more than 30 years in this community, we believe pricing should be clear, fair, and easy to match against your insurance.
What is the Alberta Dental Fee Guide?
The Alberta Dental Fee Guide is a set of suggested fees for dental services in Alberta. It is published each year by the Alberta Dental Association, which we are a proud member of. It lists a recommended price for many everyday procedures, from exams and cleanings to fillings, crowns, and implants.
The point of the guide is transparency. When a clinic follows it, patients, dentists, and insurance companies all work from the same numbers. That means fewer surprises when your bill and your insurance statement arrive.
Is "ADA Fee Guide" the same thing?
Yes. In Alberta, "ADA" stands for the Alberta Dental Association, not the American Dental Association. So when people search for the "ADA Fee Guide" in Alberta, they mean the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. Both names point to the same document. You may also see the older name ADA&C (Alberta Dental Association and College).
Is the fee guide mandatory?
No. The guide is a suggested, voluntary reference, not a fixed price list. Dentists are not required by law to follow it. Image Dental Care chooses to follow the guide because honest, predictable pricing is part of how we care for our patients.
Example fees from the guide
These are illustrative figures from the public 2026 abbreviated guide to give you a rough idea. Your actual cost depends on the exact procedure and your own needs, and we confirm every fee with you before treatment begins.
|
Treatment |
Est. Guide fee |
|
Recall (checkup) exam |
around $80 |
|
Scaling (cleaning) |
around $87 per unit |
|
Cast or porcelain crown |
around $1,070 (plus lab fees) |
|
Root canal |
around $1,000 to $1,400, depending on the tooth |
Two important notes. First, the CDCP pays based on its own fee guide, which can be lower than a provincial fee guide, so there may be a small extra cost even when the plan covers “100%.” Second, some treatments need preauthorization (approval before the work is done). Our front desk will always review your coverage with you first so there are no surprises.
How the fee guide helps with insurance
Most dental insurance plans in Alberta base their coverage on the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. When your clinic follows the same guide your insurer uses, your claims are easier to read and your share is easier to predict. Image Dental Care works with most insurance companies, files your claims for you, and gives you an estimate before treatment.
What about the Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?
Image Dental Care is a participating CDCP provider. The CDCP uses its own set fees, which can differ from the Alberta guide, and some services need pre-approval. If you are covered under the CDCP, we will direct-bill your benefits and clearly explain any amount that is not covered before we start. Remember to reapply for the CDCP each year before June 1 to keep your eligibility.
Why choose Image Dental Care in Red Deer?
- We follow the 2026 Alberta Dental Fee Guide for clear, honest pricing.
- We work with most insurance plans and file claims for you, plus we are a CDCP office.
- We give you an estimate before treatment, so there are no surprises.
- We are open seven days a week, with same-day and next-day emergency care.
- Five languages are spoken at our practice, and we welcome patients of every age.
Have a question about the cost of a specific treatment? Call us at (587) 853-0575 or book online, and we will give you a clear estimate based on the current fee guide.