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Updated: January 23, 2008

Dental Program

• The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance dental program provides basic dental services to income assistance clients who are least likely to become financially independent – Persons With Disabilities (PWD) and Persons With Persistent Multiple Barriers (PPMB).
• Basic dental services are also provided to children covered by the BC Healthy Kids Program.

BASIC DENTAL COVERAGE FOR - PWD AND PPMB CLIENTS

• Basic dental plan coverage is provided over two calendar years for persons with disabilities and persons with persistent multiple barriers.
• Persons with disabilities and persons with persistent multiple barriers have a maximum coverage limit of $1000 over two calendar years. Persons with disabilities and their spouses, persons with persistent multiple barriers and their spouses, and seniors over 65 with enhanced medical coverage are eligible for this coverage.
• Dental services beyond annual limits will be covered when emergency services are needed to relieve pain.
• Persons with disabilities and persons with persistent multiple barriers who have a dental condition that cannot be corrected through basic dental services and have a medical condition that prevents the use of a removable denture are also eligible for funding for crown and bridgework.
• Persons with disabilities and persons with persistent multiple barriers are eligible for funding for partial dentures, replacement dentures, or reline/re-base of dentures, based on the ministry's fee schedule.
• Persons with disabilities keep their dental assistance for the entire family if they, or any family member, leave income assistance for employment, federal benefits (Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan), or because they turn 65.

BASIC DENTAL COVERAGE - CHILDREN

• Dependant children under 19, including those receiving Child in the Home of a Relative assistance and children eligible for dental services under the BC Healthy Kids Program have a $700 annual limit maximum.

ADDITIONAL DENTAL COVERAGE

• Children and persons with disabilities who require dental treatment in hospital, or in private facilities, under general anaesthetic are eligible for an additional $500 to cover the cost of treatment.
• All clients who have had their complete upper and/or lower arch of teeth extracted in the previous six months for the relief of pain, on recommendation of a dentist, are eligible for funding for complete dentures (single or full), according to the ministry’s fee schedule.
• All other income assistance clients and individuals receiving hardship assistance are eligible for emergency dental services to relieve pain.

MINISTRY'S FEE SCHEDULE

• The ministry's fee schedule for dental services for eligible people on income and disability assistance and children served through the BC Healthy Kids Program is 72 per cent of the BC Dental Association's 2007 fee guide.
• Rates paid to dentists only apply to services for eligible clients under the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance dental program.
• Rates are paid directly to dentists by the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance to provide better access to dental services. This is not a reimbursement program requiring clients to pay up front and submit a claim.

To find out if you are eligible to access this program contact your local practitioner.

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