Moving to a new country means learning new systems all at once: banking, schools, transit, health care. Dental care is often the one that gets pushed aside, because it is not part of the provincial health plan and the rules are not obvious. This guide explains how dental coverage works for newcomers in Alberta, which programs may pay for your care, and what to bring to your first visit with us at Forest Heights Dental in SE Calgary.
Quick Answer
Dental care in Alberta is not covered by your provincial health card. You pay for it through private insurance from an employer, a government program, or directly. Newcomers without private insurance often qualify for one of three programs: the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) for refugees and refugee claimants, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for residents with a family income under $90,000, or an Alberta government dental program for families and adults with lower incomes, seniors, and people receiving AISH or Income Support. Forest Heights Dental accepts all of these and helps you with the paperwork.
Key Takeaways
- Your Alberta Health Care card does not cover dental treatment for adults or children, apart from certain hospital procedures.
- Refugees, refugee claimants and protected persons are usually covered for urgent dental care under the IFHP.
- Permanent residents and other residents who file Canadian taxes and have no dental insurance may qualify for the CDCP.
- Alberta runs its own dental programs for children and adults in lower-income households, for seniors, and for people on AISH or Income Support.
- You can hold more than one type of coverage. We check what applies to you before treatment starts.
Why Dental Care Works Differently in Canada
Many patients arrive expecting dental care to work the way a hospital does: show your health card and the visit is paid for. In Alberta, that is only true for a small number of procedures done in hospital. Everyday dental care, including exams, cleanings, fillings and extractions, is paid for by the patient, by an insurance plan, or by a government program designed for people who meet its rules.
This is not a reason to wait. Dental problems get more expensive the longer they are left. A small filling today is far cheaper than a root canal or extraction next year. The programs below exist so that cost is not the reason someone stays in pain.
Program 1: The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)
The IFHP is a federal program that provides temporary health coverage to resettled refugees, refugee claimants, protected persons, and certain other groups while they are not yet eligible for provincial coverage or private insurance. Medavie Blue Cross administers the program on behalf of the Government of Canada.
For dental care, the IFHP focuses on urgent needs: relieving pain, treating infection, and dealing with problems that cannot wait. Routine cleanings, root canals and orthodontics are not included. As of May 1, 2026, IFHP members pay 30 percent of the cost of eligible dental services directly to the clinic, and the program covers the remaining 70 percent. Basic medical care under the IFHP remains fully covered.
What to bring: your IFHP eligibility document with your client ID number, plus photo identification. We confirm your coverage with Medavie Blue Cross before treatment and bill them directly for the covered portion, so you only pay your share. If a service needs approval first, we submit that request for you.
Read more in our guide to IFHP dental coverage in Calgary.
Program 2: The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
The CDCP is a federal plan for residents who do not have access to dental insurance. To qualify, your adjusted family net income must be under $90,000, you must have filed your Canadian tax return for the previous year, and you must not have access to dental insurance through work, a pension, or a private plan. Applications go through Service Canada.
How much the plan pays depends on your income. Families with an adjusted net income under $70,000 have no co-payment. Between $70,000 and $79,999 the co-payment is 40 percent, and between $80,000 and $89,999 it is 60 percent. You may also pay a difference if a service costs more than the CDCP fee for it, or if a service is not covered. We go through this with you before any work begins.
The CDCP can be used together with Alberta’s own programs, so being enrolled in one does not stop you from applying for the other. Our team explains how the two fit together in our step-by-step CDCP application guide, and our CDCP page lists the services we provide under the plan.
Program 3: Alberta Government Dental Programs
The Government of Alberta funds dental coverage for several groups. These programs are delivered by Alberta Blue Cross, which took over their administration from the Alberta Dental Service Corporation (ADSC) in June 2024. If you have an older card that mentions ADSC, the coverage still exists; it is simply billed to Alberta Blue Cross now.
- Alberta Child Health Benefit: dental care, eyeglasses and prescription coverage for children in lower-income families. Eligibility is based on your family’s income as assessed by the Canada Revenue Agency, so filing your taxes matters even in your first year.
- Alberta Adult Health Benefit: basic and preventive dental care for adults in lower-income households, including exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions and dentures.
- AISH and Income Support: people receiving Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped or Income Support receive a health benefits card that includes dental coverage.
- Dental Assistance for Seniors: Albertans aged 65 and over who qualify through the Seniors Financial Assistance programs receive up to $5,000 of dental coverage every five years.
Bring your Alberta Blue Cross or health benefits card to your appointment. We bill the program directly for covered services and tell you in advance if anything falls outside it.
What If You Do Not Qualify for Any Program?
Some newcomers, for example people on work or study permits with higher incomes, will not fit any of the programs above. You still have options. We follow the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, so our prices are transparent and in line with the provincial standard. We direct bill most private insurance plans if your employer provides one. For larger treatments, we offer financing through PayBright so the cost can be spread over monthly payments. And every new patient can start with a free new patient exam, which lets us assess your needs before you spend anything.
Your First Visit With Us
Here is what to expect when you come to our clinic on 17th Avenue SE in Forest Lawn:
- Tell us about your coverage when you book. Mention IFHP, CDCP, an Alberta program, or a private plan, and bring the card or letter that goes with it.
- We verify your coverage before you sit in the chair. Our front desk contacts the program or insurer, confirms what is covered, and explains any portion you would pay.
- We help with the forms. If an application or pre-approval is needed, our team completes the clinic’s portion and walks you through yours.
- We speak your language. Our team speaks English, French, Arabic, Punjabi, Urdu, Swahili, Amharic and Tigrinya, and we take the time to make sure treatment options are understood.
- We bill the program directly. You pay only your share, if there is one, and we handle the claim.
Everyone Is Welcome Here
Forest Lawn is one of the most diverse neighbourhoods in Calgary, and our patients reflect that. Your immigration status, income, or the language you speak at home does not change the quality of care you receive at Forest Heights Dental. If you are in pain, unsure what you are covered for, or simply have not seen a dentist since arriving in Canada, call us at 403-272-6706 or request an appointment online. We will figure out the coverage together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Alberta Health Care card cover the dentist?
No. Provincial health coverage does not include routine dental care for adults or children. Dental care is paid through insurance, a government dental program, or directly by the patient.
Can I use the CDCP if I am a permanent resident?
Yes, if you are a resident of Canada for tax purposes, filed your tax return for the previous year, have no access to dental insurance, and have an adjusted family net income under $90,000.
I am a refugee claimant. Do I have to pay for emergency dental care?
Under the IFHP you pay 30 percent of the cost of eligible dental services and the program pays the rest. We confirm your coverage and tell you the exact amount before treatment.
Can I have both an Alberta program and the CDCP?
Yes. The CDCP is designed to work alongside provincial and territorial programs. We help you understand which one applies to each service.
What if I do not have any documents yet?
Come in anyway, especially if you are in pain. We will assess the problem, explain the cost using the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, and help you identify which program to apply for.
