British Columbia · Health
Dental Supplements (Income & Disability Assistance)
Basic dental care — check-ups, fillings, extractions, dentures — for people on disability assistance, paid by the ministry directly to the dentist; emergency treatment to relieve pain is covered for everyone on assistance.
What it is
Coverage includes restorations, extractions, preventative care, partial and replacement dentures, and crowns or bridges in certain cases, billed under ministry fee schedules. Adults with eligibility get up to $1,000 over each two-calendar-year period; children get up to $2,000 plus an extra $1,000 per year for hospital dental treatment under general anesthesia. Emergency dental to relieve pain is available to everyone on assistance regardless of the limit.
Who it is for
The adult limit resets on January 1 of every odd-numbered year — the current $1,000 window runs January 2025 through December 2026, so unused room disappears in January 2027. Amounts and covered services are set out in BC's health supplements rate table — confirm current limits there.
Amount or value
Up to $1,000 per 2 calendar years for adults (current period Jan 2025–Dec 2026); up to $2,000 per 2 years for children under 19, plus $1,000/year for hospital dental under general anesthesia
At a glance
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Application
- Provider confirms ministry coverage
- Decision timing
- Coverage checked by the provider
How to apply
- Confirm you receive disability assistance or otherwise qualify for general health supplements
- Book any dentist, denturist or dental hygienist and show your BC Services Card
- The office confirms your coverage with the ministry's insurer (Pacific Blue Cross) before treatment
- The ministry pays the provider directly — ask in advance about any costs above the fee schedule
What you may need
- BC Services Card or Personal Health Number
Practical tips
- Ministry fee-schedule rates are below many dentists' usual fees — ask the office to bill within the schedule or tell you the difference before work starts
- Plan larger treatment around the 2-year cycle so a January reset gives you a fresh $1,000
- Dentures have their own rules and limits — ask the ministry before ordering
Timing
No application — coverage is active while you are on assistance; the provider verifies it at booking
Phone
1-866-866-0800