BC Employment and Assistance Program's Dental Program

Description:

Provides basic dental services to income assistance clients who are least likely to become financially independent – Persons with Disabilities and Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers.

Region of Administration:

Provincial

Government / Department:

Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation

Eligibility:

Persons with Disabilities and Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers (PWD And PPMB Clients).

Coverage:

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 (including spouses) have a maximum coverage limit of $1000 over two calendar years, beginning on January 1st of every odd numbered year.

Dental services beyond biennial 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.

Through Medical Services Only coverage, certain categories of former recipients of income or disability assistance may retain eligibility for dental coverage when they leave assistance.

Persons with Disabilities who require dental treatment in a hospital or private facility under a general anaesthetic are eligible for an additional $1000 per year, 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.

Providers:

Dentists, Denturists, Dental hygienists

Therapeutic Responsibility:

Dentists, Denturists, Dental hygienists

Compensation:

Fee-for-service

How it Works:

Rates are paid directly to dentists, denturists and dental hygienists by the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation to provide better access to dental services. This is not a reimbursement program requiring clients to pay up front and submit a claim.

The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation dental fee schedules can be found on the ministry’s website at: www.sdsi.gov.bc.ca/publicat/feeSchedules.htm