Career guide · Benefits and well-being
Free or discounted dental care for clinic staff
It is the most natural benefit of a dental clinic, and one of the most valuable for a family. Here is how it works and what it is really worth.
Do dental clinic employees get free care?
Very often, yes, at least for preventive care (exams, cleanings, X-rays) and at a reduced price for other treatments. It is not a legal obligation, but a widespread practice and a real benefit: an annual exam and cleaning is worth several hundred dollars per person.
Is the family covered?
Frequently, the spouse and children get free preventive care or a substantial discount. For a family of four, that is worth more than $1,000 a year in basic care. Ask precisely who is eligible and which care is included.
Are lab fees included?
Rarely: for a crown, a denture or aligners, the employee generally pays the lab cost, and the clinic waives or reduces its fees. That is normal, since the lab is an external supplier.
Is this benefit taxable?
Under tax rules, a benefit granted to an employee may be a taxable benefit; in practice, preventive care offered to all staff is often treated as an unquantified benefit, but major treatments may be taxable. Consult an accountant if the clinic issues a slip about it.
Are children under 10 covered by RAMQ anyway?
Yes, partly: RAMQ covers for children under 10 the annual exam, emergency exams, extractions, fillings and root canals, but not cleanings or fluoride. The clinic’s benefit therefore completes public coverage. See RAMQ care for children.
How does booking work for an employee?
Generally outside working hours or in quiet slots, with the same dentists and hygienists. In a clinic open 7 days it is easy to organize. Some clinics also allow care during the shift if the agenda permits.
Can I be treated by my hygienist colleague?
Yes, it is common and even appreciated. What matters is respecting the same record-keeping and consent standards as for any patient. If you prefer discretion, ask to be followed by another team or at the banner’s other clinic.
Do percentage dentists and their families benefit?
It depends on the agreement between dentists: often, dentists treat each other for free and the clinic offers hygiene care to their family. It is a question to raise when negotiating the associate contract.
How much is this benefit worth in a year?
For a single person: about $300 to $500 (exam, cleaning, X-rays). For a family of four: $1,000 to $2,000. Add the discount on a major treatment (crown, whitening, aligners) and the benefit can exceed several thousand dollars in some years.
How do you ask about this benefit at the interview?
Simply: « What dental care is offered to staff and their families, and under what conditions? » A clinic proud of its care answers gladly. At Go Dentiste, the team practises in new, fully equipped clinics; staff terms are specified at the interview.
Go further
- RAMQ-covered dental care for children
- Our dental services
- Dental career guide: the 1,000 questions
- All positions at Go Dentiste
Sources and references
Content prepared by the Go Dentiste team (Dr Dominic Morel-Maynard, general dentist and owner). Last updated: September 25, 2026. General information for guidance only: only an in-clinic exam can establish a diagnosis and a treatment plan suited to your situation.