ACDQ's Abbreviated Fee Guide
ACDQ Fee Guide
Every year, the Association des chirurgiens dentistes du Québec (ACDQ) publishes the Fee Guide and Description of Dental Treatment Services. It is a highly technical, professional reference document, with over 220 pages and almost 800 dental procedure codes. This guide is intended for dentists and their team members who have the expertise to interpret and apply it appropriately to each clinical situation.
While this guide serves as a reference, it is important to note that each dentist remains entirely free to determine his or her own fees, in complete autonomy.
An abbreviated public version of the fee guide
To promote a better understanding of oral health care and its pricing, the ACDQ is making an abbreviated version of its fee guide available to the public. This version features the most commonly performed procedures, along with reference prices, in a simplified, accessible format.
To view or download the Abbreviated Fee Guide, click here.
Did you know?
Dentists are called upon to make over 200 different oral diagnoses. A treatment may require several distinct professional acts, each corresponding to a specific code, which explains why billing can vary from one situation to another.
For example, for an exam and a cleaning for an adult, at least three codes will apply, namely: 01200 (exam), 11300 (polishing), and 4341X (scaling, depending on the number of units).
If you would like to better understand the costs associated with a treatment or if you have any questions regarding dental fees, your dentist remains the best person to explain the recommended care, the possible options, and the associated costs.
To find out more about the fee guide and get answers to frequently asked questions, please read below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is the ACDQ releasing part of its fee guide?
The ACDQ aims to provide the public with reliable, official, and accessible information to promote greater transparency and understanding of oral health care and related costs. The aim of this approach is to better contextualize fees, prevent the circulation of incomplete or inaccurate information, and support an informed dialogue between patients and their dentist.
What does the abbreviated version of the fee guide contain?
The abbreviated version includes the most commonly performed oral health procedures, accompanied by reference prices. It is presented in a simplified format to facilitate general understanding, without the complex technical elements reserved for professionals.
Why doesn’t my dentist charge the fees suggested in the ACDQ’s guide?
The fees shown in the guide are for information purposes only. Each dentist is entirely free to set his or her own fees, based on the clinical situation, the care required, and his or her professional reality. The fee guide presents reference fees, but each dentist is entirely free to set his or her own fees.
How are fees determined for the guide?
The fees in the guide are based on an independent analysis of the changing costs of running a dental clinic, including salaries, rent, supplies, equipment, and other expenses required to operate a dental clinic in Quebec. The analysis also considers official data from the Institut de la statistique du Québec, notably CPI-Quebec.
Today, on average, around 75% of a clinic’s revenue is used to cover operating costs. In other words, three out of every four dollars are used to cover the expenses of keeping the clinic open.
How does my dentist determine the fees for my dental treatment?
Dentists first assess their patients’ oral health and determine the care they need. They then set their fees according to the recommended treatments, their complexity, and the time required. ACDQ member dentists can consult the Fee Guide and Description of Dental Treatment Services as a reference.
To illustrate the fact that fees may vary from one patient to another for the same treatment, particularly depending on the complexity of the case and the patient’s oral health condition, we present below a comparative example of three cases requiring a dental extraction.
| Patient | Patient A | Patient B | Patient C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required treatment | A patient must have an upper right molar extracted | ||
| Patient’s general health status | Good general health | Patient is taking anticoagulants | Good general health |
| Specific treatment considerations | Treatment without any particular considerations |
|
Complex treatment requiring a surgical approach (flap) and sectioning of the tooth |
| Required codes and suggested fees | 71101 – Removal of erupted teeth, without complication – $176 |
|
72100 – Surgical removals of erupted tooth using flap approach and/or odontectomy or ostectomy – $315 |
| Suggested total | $176 | $220 | $315 |
Are the fees shown in the abbreviated guide the same as those in other provinces?
Fees vary from province to province. Provincial and territorial associations set fees based on the economic reality of each province. For example, for the same procedure, the fee charged in Quebec could be higher in one province and lower in another. The cost of living and regulatory requirements imposed on clinics, which can vary from province to province, can also have a direct impact on operating costs and, consequently, on fees.
Why isn’t the full version of the fee guide published online?
The Fee Guide and Description of Dental Treatment Services is a highly technical document of over 220 pages, comprising almost 800 interrelated codes. It is a working tool designed for dentists and their staff, who have the expertise to correctly interpret the nuances of each clinical situation. It would be counterproductive to make all these procedures and their fees available to the public, whereas the abbreviated guide for the public is easy to consult, and includes the most frequently used treatments. By being more succinct, it better accomplishes its mission of providing clear information.
A legal deposit of the complete version of the fee guide has been made at the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec in Montreal and at the National Library of Canada in Ottawa, where it may be consulted.
Who should I talk to if I have questions about the fees I have been charged?
If you wish to understand the fees associated with a treatment, or if you have any questions, your dentist is the best person to clearly explain the recommended care and the associated costs.
Why is there a difference between the dentist’s fees and the amounts reimbursed by my insurance plan?
The care covered by your insurance plan, and the amounts eligible for reimbursement, are determined by your insurer, according to the terms of the contract binding it to your employer, hence the risk of disparity. To find out more about your plan’s coverage and terms, please contact your insurer or employer.
Does a dentist charge more for a patient with private insurance than for one without?
No. All dentists in Quebec have the obligation to charge the same fees for the same care, regardless of who the patient is. An exception applies for public dental plans.
A dentist’s fees are based on the clinical procedures required and professional judgment, not on the patient’s insurance coverage. Whether a patient is insured or not has no impact on the rates applicable for the same treatment. Insurance plans determine their own reimbursement terms (ceilings, exclusions, deductibles, etc.), but these parameters do not influence the fees charged by the dentist.
Will the Abbreviated Fee Guide be updated annually?
Yes, the abbreviated version of the guide will be updated annually, as will all the fees in the guide.
If you have any questions about the amounts charged or the treatments offered, the best thing to do is to discuss them directly with your dentist.