We direct-bill your dental insurance
Where your plan allows assignment of benefits, Lambton Dental submits the claim to your insurance carrier electronically and collects only your portion at the visit — so you do not pay in full upfront and wait for a reimbursement cheque.
What direct billing means at Lambton Dental
Direct billing means Lambton Dental sends your dental claim straight to your insurance carrier, and the carrier pays us for the covered portion. You are only responsible for the difference — your co-payment, deductible or any amount above your plan limit — at the end of the visit.
The technical term for this is assignment of benefits. Most Canadian dental plans allow it, which is why the great majority of our patients never write a large cheque and then wait weeks for reimbursement. Where a specific plan does not permit assignment of benefits, we still submit the claim electronically for you so your reimbursement arrives quickly.
When direct billing is right for you
Direct billing works well for almost any patient with an active dental plan. It is especially helpful if you:
- Have a workplace or individual dental plan through a Canadian carrier and want to avoid paying in full upfront.
- Are covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) or the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).
- Have coverage under two plans — for example your own plan and a partner’s plan — and want us to coordinate the benefits so both plans contribute.
- Are booking for a family and would rather not track multiple reimbursements every visit.
If your plan does not permit direct billing we still submit the claim on your behalf, and we always let you know before treatment whether your plan works this way.
How direct billing works, step by step
You share your plan details when you book
Carrier, policy number, member ID and, for a family plan, the plan holder's date of birth.
We verify coverage before your visit
The front desk confirms your plan is active, whether it permits direct billing and what your plan covers today.
We estimate your portion in advance
For anything beyond a routine visit we walk you through a written estimate so you know what to expect at the desk.
Care happens
The dentist provides the care you have agreed to and the front desk prepares the claim.
We submit the claim electronically
Your carrier pays us directly for the covered portion, usually within a few business days.
You pay only your portion at the visit
Any difference — co-payment, deductible or amount above plan limits — is settled at the end of the appointment.
What direct billing does not change
Direct billing changes who receives the payment and when — not what your plan covers. Your annual maximum, frequency limits, waiting periods and covered service list all still apply exactly as your policy defines them. If a service is not covered by your plan, direct billing cannot make it covered.
For larger treatment we send a pre-determination to your carrier before we begin so you know exactly what is covered before you commit. If a claim is unexpectedly denied — for example because your plan renewed on a different date — we let you know right away and work with you on next steps rather than sending you a bill by surprise.
Estimates, pre-determinations, and payment options
For anything beyond a routine cleaning and exam, Lambton Dental provides a written estimate that shows the expected coverage from your plan and your share of the cost. For larger treatment we can send a pre-determination to your carrier so you have their answer in writing before the appointment.
Payment plans for larger treatment through a third-party financing partner are available on approved credit — see payment plans for details. If a claim is denied after the fact, we work with you and your carrier to resolve it and do not send you a surprise bill.
Why patients choose Lambton Dental for direct billing
- We submit claims electronically to all major Canadian dental insurance carriers.
- We direct-bill CDCP through Sun Life and IFHP through Medavie Blue Cross for eligible patients.
- Written estimates and pre-determinations for larger treatment mean no surprises at the desk.
- For coordination of benefits between two plans, we handle the second submission for you.
- Our team explains your coverage in the language you are most comfortable in — 13 languages in all.
More on insurance and payment
Frequently asked questions
Which insurance carriers do you direct-bill?
Lambton Dental accepts all major Canadian dental insurance carriers and submits claims electronically wherever your plan allows assignment of benefits. This includes workplace group plans, individual plans, CDCP through Sun Life and IFHP through Medavie Blue Cross. Bring your plan details and we will confirm your carrier at your visit.
What if my plan does not allow direct billing?
A small number of plans require you to pay in full and get reimbursed. In those cases we still prepare and submit the claim on your behalf so your reimbursement arrives as quickly as possible. We let you know before treatment whether your specific plan works this way, so nothing is a surprise at the desk.
Do I still have to pay anything at the visit?
You pay only the portion your plan does not cover — for example a co-payment, deductible or amount above your annual maximum. For a routine covered service that is fully paid by your plan, there may be nothing to pay at the visit at all.
Can you coordinate two dental plans for our family?
Yes. If you and a partner each have coverage, we submit to the primary plan first and then to the secondary plan for the remaining eligible amount. Bring both plan details when you book and let the front desk know who the plan holder is on each policy.
What happens if a claim is denied after the visit?
We tell you as soon as we know and work with you and your carrier to resolve it. Common reasons include a plan renewal that changed your coverage, an annual maximum that has already been used or a service that needed pre-authorization. We do not send you a surprise bill without a conversation first.
Do I have to see the same dentist every time to keep direct billing?
No. Direct billing follows your plan and your account with the practice, not a specific dentist. Any of our team members can see you, and your plan is billed the same way every visit as long as your coverage is current.
Book with direct-billed dental care
Share your plan details when you book and we verify coverage before your visit. You pay only your portion at the appointment — we take care of the paperwork.
Canadian Dental Care Plan
The federal plan for eligible Canadian residents. We direct-bill Sun Life for covered services.
Learn about CDCP →Interim Federal Health Program
Federal coverage for refugees and other eligible groups. We direct-bill Medavie Blue Cross.
Learn about IFHP →Direct billing
We submit claims electronically to major Canadian carriers so you pay only your portion.
How direct billing works →Payment plans
Monthly payment plans for larger treatment through a third-party financing partner, on approved credit.
See payment options →