Surgical Masks in Quebec: Bulk Order Case Counts and Supplier Lead Times

A Quebec clinic ordering procedure masks by the case pays about $0.104 per mask for an ASTM Level 2 three-ply mask in a 500-mask case, against $0.16 per mask for a Level 3 mask in the same case size. The gap looks small per unit and it is not small per year: at 300 masks a week, the difference between the two levels is roughly $875 annually. The ASTM Level 2 three-ply procedure mask is listed at $5.99 for a 50-mask box and $51.99 for a 500-mask case.

What does an ASTM mask cost per mask in Quebec?

Per-mask cost is the only number that lets you compare a box price to a case price, and it is the number most quotes leave out. Current list pricing on our Canadian-stocked lines:

The case discount is 13% on the Level 2 line and 12.5% on the Level 3 line. Those are real but modest; the larger lever is matching the level to the task instead of stocking one level everywhere.

Which mask level does a Quebec clinic need for which task?

ASTM F2100 defines three levels of barrier performance for medical face masks, and the level is about fluid resistance and filtration under a defined test, not about comfort or price. Level 1 suits short, low-fluid tasks and general waiting-room use. Level 2 covers most examination and procedure work where splashes and sprays are possible. Level 3 is the heavier barrier, used where fluid volume or pressure is higher, such as procedures with irrigation or prolonged exposure. A clinic that stocks Level 3 at every station pays the Level 3 price for tasks that do not need it, which is where the annual gap comes from.

Two details matter more than most buyers expect. First, fit: a mask that gaps at the cheeks leaks regardless of its level, so buy the shape your staff will actually wear for a full shift. Second, ear-loop versus tie: tie-on masks hold tension longer in procedures, ear-loop masks are faster to don between patients. Neither changes the ASTM level.

How many masks does a clinic order per case, and what changes at case volume?

One case is 500 masks, or ten boxes of fifty, on both our Level 2 and Level 3 lines. A four-operatory dental clinic running 60 patient visits a day with one mask per visit uses about 300 masks a week, so a case is under two weeks of supply and a quarterly order is roughly six cases. Add one case as a buffer and order on a fixed cycle rather than on a run-out signal, because a run-out order is the one that pays expedited freight.

If you are ordering for several sites, the arithmetic changes: consolidated pallet quantities qualify for account pricing, and the receiving event is one instead of four. The B2B wholesale collection lists the lines stocked for institutional buyers, and wholesale and multi-site ordering explains account setup and case pricing. Reselling? become a distributor.

How do you check lead times before a Quebec order?

Ask for two dates in writing: the date the stock leaves the warehouse and the date it arrives at your dock. Suppliers quote the first and hope you assume the second. For a Quebec delivery address, confirm whether the shipment ships from Canadian stock or is an indent order, confirm the carrier and the delivery appointment requirement, and confirm what happens if the case arrives crushed — masks are a light, bulky product and carton damage is the most common receiving dispute on this line.

Record the lot number of each case on receipt. If a mask line is later subject to a supplier notice, the lot record is what tells you which cases to pull. Keep the printable receiving and sterilization log sheets with your infection-control binder, run the self-check on your PPE par levels before the next order, and if you are setting levels for a multi-site group, ask a compliance specialist to review the plan. Clinics that want to test a line before committing can request samples through the same account.

Related Reading

• Bulk Ordering Surgical Masks for Saskatchewan Clinics: Case Counts and Price Bands
• Which Isolation Gown Do Community Health Centres in Ontario Order?
• How Often Must US vs Canadian Clinics Run Sterilizer Testing?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Level 2 mask enough for a dental cleaning?

For routine examination and most cleaning appointments, an ASTM Level 2 mask is the usual choice in Canadian dental settings where splash and spray are expected. Higher-fluid procedures call for Level 3. Your own infection-control policy sets the final rule.

How many masks are in a case?

Five hundred masks, packed as ten boxes of fifty on our standard Level 2 and Level 3 lines.

Does buying by the case reduce the price per mask?

Yes, by about 12 to 13 percent against the box price on our current list. The exact saving depends on the line and the quantity you commit to.

What should I check when a mask delivery arrives?

Carton condition, the lot number on each box, the expiry date, and that the level printed on the box matches what you ordered. Record the lot number in your receiving log.

Last updated: October 2026. CliniEco Medical is a licensed medical device establishment (MDEL #35334).