If you have been told you should have a bone density scan, or you are simply concerned about osteoporosis, you no longer have to wait for a hospital appointment or a physician referral. Advanced Bone Health Services runs bone density clinics in Toronto using Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry, known as REMS. The scan uses ultrasound rather than X-ray, so there is no ionising radiation involved at any point.
Where the Toronto clinic is held
Our Toronto scanning clinic is hosted at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 6 Sakura Way, Unit 245, Toronto, Ontario. Parking is available on site and the venue is fully accessible.
Advanced Bone Health Services operates as a mobile clinic on a rotating national schedule rather than a permanent walk in facility. Toronto dates are released in advance and appointments are limited, so we recommend booking as soon as a date is announced. Your confirmation email includes the exact suite number, entrance and parking instructions.
Check the next available Toronto clinic date and book your appointment
What the scan involves
A REMS bone density scan is straightforward and takes very little time.
- The scan takes 20 to 30 minutes in total
- You remain fully clothed throughout
- Nothing is injected and no contrast agent is used
- An ultrasound probe is passed over the lumbar spine and hip
- There is no radiation exposure and no confined space
- Your report is emailed to you the same day
The report gives you a T score, which is the standard measure used to identify normal bone density, osteopenia and osteoporosis. It also includes a Fragility Score, which reflects the internal structure and quality of the bone rather than the quantity alone. You can share the full report with your family physician, rheumatologist or endocrinologist.
How REMS compares with a conventional DEXA scan
Most Canadians searching for a DEXA scan in Toronto are looking for a bone density test rather than that specific machine. Both approaches measure bone mineral density, but they do so differently.
| Feature | REMS ultrasound scan | Conventional DEXA scan |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Ultrasound, radiofrequency signal analysis | Dual energy X-ray |
| Radiation exposure | None | Low dose ionising radiation |
| Referral required | Not in most cases | Usually required |
| Typical wait | Book directly for an available clinic date | Varies by hospital and region |
| Results | Same day, emailed to you | Sent to the referring physician |
| Output | T score and Fragility Score | T score |
| Repeat scanning | Suitable for frequent monitoring | Repeat interval limited by radiation dose |
DEXA remains the long established reference standard for diagnosing osteoporosis, and we encourage every patient to discuss their results with their own physician. REMS is intended as an accessible, radiation free way to understand your bone health, particularly for people who want to monitor changes regularly or who would prefer to avoid repeated X-ray exposure.
Who should consider a bone density scan
Bone loss develops without symptoms, and in many cases a fracture is the first sign that anything is wrong. A scan is worth considering if you fall into any of the following groups.
- Women who are postmenopausal or approaching menopause
- Adults aged 50 and over
- Anyone who has broken a bone from a minor fall
- People with a family history of osteoporosis or hip fracture
- Long term users of corticosteroid medication
- People with rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease, thyroid or kidney conditions
- Adults with low body weight, or a history of smoking or high alcohol intake
- Anyone already diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis who wants to track changes over time
What you receive
- A same day report delivered by email
- Your T score for the lumbar spine and hip
- Your Fragility Score
- A clear explanation of what your results indicate
- A document formatted so you can share it directly with your healthcare provider
What a private bone density scan costs in Toronto
A single REMS scan at our Toronto clinic is $175. If two scans are booked together, for example one for yourself and one for a partner or a parent, each scan is $150.
That covers the appointment itself, the scan of your hip and lumbar spine, your fragility score, and the written report, which is emailed to you the same day. Current offers are listed on our promotions page.
What Ontario covers, and what it does not
A publicly funded bone density test in Ontario costs you nothing, and for many people that is the right route. The question is whether you qualify, and when your next one is due.
OHIP does not set an age limit on bone density testing. It works on assessed risk instead:
- Patients assessed as high risk for osteoporosis and fracture are insured for an annual test.
- Patients assessed as low risk are insured for a baseline test, a second test 36 months later, and then one every 60 months after that.
Separately, the national clinical guideline updated in 2023 is what most physicians follow when deciding whether to order the test at all. It recommends a baseline scan at 70 if you have no risk factors, at 65 if you have one risk factor, and between 50 and 64 only if you have had a previous fracture or have two or more clinical risk factors.
Together those two things leave several groups without a funded option:
- You are in your fifties or sixties, otherwise healthy, and want a baseline reading now rather than at 70
- You had a funded scan recently, something has changed since, and your next insured one is years away
- You have started treatment and want to know whether it is working. In Ontario the low risk interval after your second scan is five years
- You do not currently have a family doctor to order the test
Waiting times for the funded test vary by province and by region within the same province, and in some areas an appointment can take a long time to come through.
Bone density test in Toronto without a referral
If you are looking for a bone density test in Toronto without a referral, this is what we offer. A DEXA scan through the public system needs a requisition from a physician first. Our REMS scan does not. You book the appointment with us directly, as a private patient, and your report is emailed to you the same day.
The scanner we use
Our clinics use the EchoS system, which measures bone density with sound waves rather than X-rays. The device was cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration through its 510(k) route in 2018, and it is licensed by Health Canada as a Class II medical device under licence number 107617.
Your report sets out your bone density readings for the hip and lumbar spine along with a fragility score, in a form your physician can review. Treatment decisions stay with them.
Frequently asked questions about bone density scans in Toronto
Do I need a referral for a bone density scan in Toronto?
In most cases no referral is required. You can book a REMS scan directly with Advanced Bone Health Services. If you are unsure about your own circumstances, contact us before booking and we will confirm.
Is a REMS bone scan safe?
The scan uses ultrasound and involves no ionising radiation. Because there is no radiation dose to accumulate, it is suitable for repeat monitoring where your physician considers that appropriate.
How long does the appointment take?
Plan for 20 to 30 minutes. You stay fully clothed and there is no preparation required beforehand.
When will I get my results?
Your report is emailed to you the same day, so you leave the clinic knowing when to expect it rather than waiting for a letter.
Where exactly is the Toronto clinic located?
Scans are held at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 6 Sakura Way, Unit 245, Toronto. The exact suite, entrance and parking details are confirmed in your booking email.
How often does the Toronto clinic run?
Advanced Bone Health Services operates a rotating national schedule and returns to Toronto periodically. Dates are announced in advance and appointment slots are limited, so early booking is recommended.
Can I use the report with my own doctor?
Yes. The report is written so that it can be shared directly with your family physician or specialist and included in your medical records.
How much does a bone density scan cost in Toronto?
A single REMS scan at our Toronto clinic is $175, or $150 per scan when two are booked together. That includes the appointment, the scan, your fragility score and the written report the same day.
Does OHIP cover a bone density test?
Yes, for patients who qualify. OHIP does not apply an age limit. It insures an annual test for patients assessed as high risk, and for low risk patients a baseline test, a second test at 36 months, then one every 60 months after that.
How much does a DEXA scan cost in Ontario if I pay for it myself?
Prices vary between private providers. Our scan is $175 for a single appointment. REMS is a different method from DEXA, using sound waves rather than X-rays, and it does not need a requisition from a physician.
Can I get a bone density scan in Toronto without a referral?
Yes, with us. A publicly funded test needs a requisition from a physician before it can be booked. Our REMS scan is a private service, so you arrange the appointment yourself and no referral is needed.
I am under 65. Can I still have a bone density scan?
Yes. There is no age restriction on booking with us. The national guideline sets a baseline scan at 70 where there are no risk factors, and 65 where there is one, which is why people who want an earlier reading often book privately.
Is there a private bone density scan available in Toronto?
Yes. Our Toronto clinic is a private service, separate from the publicly funded route. That means no requisition, no waiting list, and your results the same day rather than sent back through a referring physician.
Book your Toronto bone density scan
Appointments for each Toronto clinic date are limited and typically fill quickly.
Book your bone density scan in Toronto
You may also want to read more about how REMS technology works, what osteoporosis is, or who needs a bone mineral density test. You can also view all our clinic locations across Canada.