Cost is the most common reason people put off the dentist. It is also the question patients are most reluctant to ask about. At Forest Heights Dental we would rather talk about money openly before treatment than have it be a surprise afterward. This article explains every way our patients pay for care, what we do to make each one simple, and what to expect at the front desk.
Quick Answer
Forest Heights Dental accepts private dental insurance with direct billing, the Canadian Dental Care Plan, the Interim Federal Health Program for refugees and refugee claimants, and all Alberta government dental programs administered by Alberta Blue Cross. For patients paying themselves, we follow the Alberta Dental Fee Guide and offer monthly financing through PayBright. Our team verifies your coverage before treatment, completes the clinic’s portion of any forms, and bills your plan directly so you only pay your share.
Key Takeaways
- We check your coverage before you sit in the chair and explain costs before treatment begins.
- We bill insurers and programs directly. You do not pay in full and wait for reimbursement.
- We help you complete applications and pre-approval forms.
- Prices follow the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, and financing is available for larger treatment plans.
- Every patient receives the same care regardless of how it is paid for.
Private Dental Insurance and Direct Billing
If you have a dental plan through your employer, your spouse’s employer, a union or a private policy, bring your card or plan details to your first visit. We submit claims electronically to most insurance companies and receive payment from them directly. At the visit you pay only the portion your plan does not cover, if any. Before larger treatments such as crowns or dentures, we can send a pre-treatment estimate to your insurer so you know your exact cost before you decide.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
We are a participating provider for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. If you have been approved and have received your welcome package, bring your member card. We confirm your coverage level, which depends on your adjusted family net income, and explain any co-payment. Families with an income under $70,000 have no co-payment; those between $70,000 and $79,999 pay 40 percent; and those between $80,000 and $89,999 pay 60 percent. Some services need pre-approval from the plan, and we submit those requests for you. If you have not yet applied, our CDCP application guide walks through the steps, and our CDCP page lists the services we provide under the plan.
The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)
Refugees, refugee claimants and protected persons who hold IFHP coverage are welcome at our clinic. The program covers urgent dental care such as relief of pain, treatment of infection, and extractions. Since May 1, 2026, IFHP members pay 30 percent of the cost of eligible dental services and the program pays the remainder. We confirm your eligibility with Medavie Blue Cross, request pre-approval where needed, and bill the program directly. Read our full guide to IFHP dental coverage in Calgary.
Alberta Government Dental Programs
We accept every provincial dental program delivered by Alberta Blue Cross, including the Alberta Child Health Benefit, the Alberta Adult Health Benefit, AISH and Income Support health benefits, and Dental Assistance for Seniors. If your paperwork still mentions the Alberta Dental Service Corporation, that is the previous administrator; the coverage is unchanged. Bring your card and we bill Alberta Blue Cross directly. Our guide to Alberta government dental programs explains what each one covers.
Paying Directly: Fee Guide Pricing and Financing
Patients without coverage are quoted using the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, the provincial reference for dental fees. You receive a written treatment plan with the cost of each item before anything is done. For treatment plans that are larger than you want to pay at once, we offer financing through PayBright, which spreads the cost over monthly payments with a quick online application. We accept debit and major credit cards.
Two offers also help new patients get started. Every new patient can book a free new patient exam, and new families can book a $99 family exam bundle that covers basic exams for two adults and two children.
How We Help With the Paperwork
Government programs and insurance plans involve forms, and forms are where people get stuck. Our front desk team handles this every day. Here is what that looks like:
- Verification. We contact your insurer or program to confirm what is covered and what your share would be.
- Applications. If you are applying for the CDCP or an Alberta program, we tell you what documents you need and point you to the right application. We cannot apply on your behalf, but we can sit with you and go through the questions.
- Pre-approvals and estimates. We complete the clinic’s portion, attach the x-rays and notes the program needs, and submit it.
- Claims. After treatment we submit the claim. You receive a receipt showing what was billed and what you paid.
- Language support. Our team speaks English, French, Arabic, Punjabi, Urdu, Swahili, Amharic and Tigrinya. If a form is easier to work through in another language, ask.
Our Commitment
Forest Lawn is home to families from every part of the world, and so is our patient list. Whether your care is paid by an employer plan, a federal program, a provincial program, or out of your own pocket, you receive the same dentists, the same appointment options and the same standard of care. Nobody at Forest Heights Dental is treated differently because of how they pay, where they were born, or what language they speak. If you have been avoiding the dentist because you were not sure you could afford it, call 403-272-6706 or request an appointment online. We will start by working out your coverage together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay at the appointment?
You pay only your share of the cost at the appointment. Covered amounts are billed to your insurer or program directly.
What if my insurance does not cover the full cost?
We tell you the expected difference before treatment. For larger amounts, PayBright financing can spread the balance over monthly payments.
Can I use two types of coverage at once?
Often, yes. Many patients combine an Alberta program with the CDCP, or a private plan with a spouse’s plan. We coordinate the billing order for you.
Do you charge more than the Alberta Dental Fee Guide?
We use the Alberta Dental Fee Guide as our pricing reference. Some programs pay less than the fee guide amount for certain services, and if a difference applies to you we explain it before treatment.
Can you help me apply for the CDCP?
We can explain the requirements, tell you what to gather, and walk through the questions with you. The application itself must be submitted by you through Service Canada.
