Alberta funds dental coverage for more people than most residents realize. Children in lower-income families, adults on a tight budget, seniors, and people receiving AISH or Income Support all have access to a government dental program. The programs have different names, different cards, and different rules, which is why patients often are not sure what they have. This guide sorts them out and explains how we use them at Forest Heights Dental in SE Calgary.
Quick Answer
The Government of Alberta pays for dental care through five main programs: the Alberta Child Health Benefit, the Alberta Adult Health Benefit, AISH health benefits, Income Support health benefits, and Dental Assistance for Seniors. Since June 3, 2024, all of them are delivered by Alberta Blue Cross, which replaced the Alberta Dental Service Corporation (ADSC) as administrator. Forest Heights Dental accepts every one of these programs and bills Alberta Blue Cross directly, so you show your card and we handle the rest.
Key Takeaways
- If your card or paperwork says ADSC, your coverage still exists. It is now administered by Alberta Blue Cross.
- Most Alberta programs cover exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions and dentures within program limits.
- Eligibility for the child and adult benefits is based on your household income as assessed by the Canada Revenue Agency, so filing taxes every year keeps your coverage active.
- Seniors who qualify receive up to $5,000 in dental coverage every five years.
- Alberta programs can be combined with the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan.
A Note on ADSC and Alberta Blue Cross
For many years, the Alberta Dental Service Corporation processed claims for the province’s dental programs, and many patients still refer to their coverage as “ADSC”. On June 3, 2024, the Government of Alberta moved administration of these programs to Alberta Blue Cross. Nothing changed about who is covered. What changed is where the clinic sends the claim and what the card looks like. If you have an older card, bring it in; we can confirm your current coverage with Alberta Blue Cross.
Alberta Child Health Benefit
This program provides dental care, eyeglasses, prescription drugs and other health benefits for children under 18 in lower-income families, including families that are working. Coverage includes check-ups, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride, fillings and extractions, within the program’s schedule of services. Eligibility is based on your family’s income from the previous tax year, as assessed by the Canada Revenue Agency. The current benefit year runs from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026, based on 2024 income. Families apply through Alberta Supports, and once approved, coverage renews each year as long as the income test is met.
Alberta Adult Health Benefit
The Alberta Adult Health Benefit covers adults in lower-income households, including people who are working, people who have left Income Support because their earnings increased, and pregnant women who meet the income test. Dental coverage includes preventive care such as exams, x-rays and cleanings, as well as basic services such as fillings, extractions and dentures. Each September the province checks your household income with the Canada Revenue Agency and, if you still qualify, renews your coverage automatically for another year.
AISH Health Benefits
People receiving Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped receive a health benefits card that covers dental care for themselves, and in many cases for a spouse or partner and dependent children. Coverage includes preventive and basic services, with some additional services available under the AISH dental schedule. Show your health benefits card at every visit. If you also qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, the two can be used together, which can reduce or remove out-of-pocket costs for services that one program covers only in part.
Income Support Health Benefits
Albertans receiving Income Support, sometimes called Alberta Works, receive dental coverage through the same health benefits card system. Adults are covered for standard preventive and basic dental care, and dependent children receive their own coverage. When you leave Income Support for work, you may continue to receive health benefits for a period of time through the Alberta Adult Health Benefit, so keep your card and ask us to check it.
Dental Assistance for Seniors
Albertans aged 65 and over with income below the program thresholds receive up to $5,000 of dental coverage every five years for services that maintain a reasonable level of dental health, including exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns and dentures. To be enrolled, a senior first applies to the Seniors Financial Assistance programs, which also determine eligibility for the Alberta Seniors Benefit. For the 2026 to 2027 benefit year, which runs from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, eligibility is based on 2025 income. Unused amounts do not carry over into the next five-year period, so it is worth planning treatment rather than leaving coverage on the table.
How the Alberta Programs Work With the CDCP
The federal Canadian Dental Care Plan is designed to work alongside provincial programs, not replace them. If you are enrolled in an Alberta program and also meet the CDCP rules, which include an adjusted family net income under $90,000 and no access to private dental insurance, you can hold both. In practice, one program is billed first and the other may cover part of what remains. Our front desk sorts out the order of billing so you do not have to. Read our CDCP application guide if you have not applied yet.
What We Do for You at Forest Heights Dental
- We confirm your coverage before treatment. Bring your Alberta Blue Cross or health benefits card. We check what your program covers and whether any service needs pre-approval.
- We explain any costs in plain language. Program schedules have limits, for example on how often a cleaning is covered. If a service falls outside your program, we tell you before it is done and quote it from the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
- We help with the paperwork. If you need to apply, renew, or request a pre-approval, our team completes the clinic’s portion and shows you what to submit.
- We bill Alberta Blue Cross directly. You do not pay up front and wait for a refund.
- We offer the same care to everyone. Patients on government programs receive the same appointment times, the same dentists and the same standard of treatment as any other patient.
Book a Visit
If you have an Alberta program card and have not used it in a while, or you are not sure what it covers, book a visit. We are at 4721D 17th Avenue SE in Forest Lawn, open six days a week with evening appointments on Monday and Wednesday, and our team speaks English, French, Arabic, Punjabi, Urdu, Swahili, Amharic and Tigrinya. Call 403-272-6706 or request an appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions
My card says ADSC. Is it still valid?
If your program coverage is still active, yes. Alberta Blue Cross now administers these programs. Bring the card and we will confirm your coverage with them.
Do I have to pay anything with an Alberta program?
Covered services within the program’s schedule are billed to the program at the program’s rates. You would only pay for services that are not covered or that exceed program limits, and we tell you about those in advance.
How often can I get a cleaning?
It depends on the program’s schedule. Many programs cover a cleaning once every six or twelve months. We check your specific program before booking.
Can my children be covered if I am on the Alberta Adult Health Benefit?
Children of Alberta Adult Health Benefit and Income Support clients receive their own dental coverage. Ask us to verify it.
Can I apply for the CDCP if I already have an Alberta program?
Yes, if you meet the CDCP income and insurance rules. The programs can be used together.
