Everything You Should Know About Medical Services Plan (MSP) Dental Coverage

Dental care can be expensive, but provincial public health plans, like British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan (MSP), can help make costs less overwhelming. But each province’s public health plan is different — is what the MSP covers enough?

Here’s a breakdown of how MSP dental coverage works for adults and children, who qualifies for additional support, and what your options are for getting help with routine dental care.

MSP Dental Coverage for Adults

In BC, MSP will usually only cover emergency dental services that are performed in a hospital for medical reasons. An example of this would be oral or dental hospital surgery and other complex cases that require general anesthesia or specialized surgical care.

This means that MSP does not cover routine or restorative dental work such as:

• Fillings, crowns, or caps

• Root canals

• Regular cleanings or check-ups

Wisdom tooth removal is a common question. The extraction of healthy or non-problematic wisdom teeth (even if impacted) isn’t covered either. However, if a wisdom tooth is severely impacted and the procedure must be performed in a hospital due to medical complications, MSP may help cover the surgical costs.

Extra Coverage for Low-Income Households

If you’re receiving income or disability assistance in B.C., you may qualify for additional dental coverage through MSP.

• Adults who qualify can receive up to $1,000 in dental benefits every two years, starting January 1 of every odd-numbered year.

• The same benefit applies to their spouse.

• Children under 19 are eligible for $2,000 in dental benefits for that same two-year period.

• There’s also an additional $1,000 each year for children who need dental surgery in a hospital under general anesthesia.

For those on assistance, less severe dental services can be eligible for MSP coverage, such as:

• Basic treatments: fillings, tooth extractions, repairs.etc

• Preventive services: cleanings, fluoride treatments, dental exams.etc

• Dentures or repairs to existing dentures

• Crowns and bridges, when medically required

MSP Dental Coverage for Children

Children in low-income families may also qualify for dental coverage through the Healthy Kids Program. This program helps cover the cost of essential dental treatment for kids under 19 whose families meet the income criteria.

Coverage includes basic dental care such as check-ups, cleanings, fillings, and extractions. The dental services are billed according to the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction’s established fee schedule.

Since January 1, 2020, eligibility for the Healthy Kids Program is determined by whether the family qualifies for MSP Supplementary Benefits. This means that if you already receive assistance with your MSP premiums, you may also be eligible for dental support under Healthy Kids.

Who Qualifies for MSP Dental Coverage

If you’re not receiving income or disability assistance, MSP generally won’t cover routine dental work. However, some people qualify for supplementary dental care depending on their situation.

You might be eligible if you receive one of the following forms of support:

• General or health supplements under provincial assistance programs

• Disability assistance

• Assistance for persons with persistent multiple barriers to employment

If you’re unsure whether you qualify, you check your status through your local Service BC office.

How to Get Coverage for Routine Dental Care as an Adult

Because MSP coverage is so limited for most adults, you’ll likely need to look into private dental insurance or federal support programs to manage your routine dental costs.

Private Dental Insurance

Private health insurance plans can fill in the gaps MSP doesn’t cover. Many insurers in Canada (Manulife, Sun Life, GMS, and Blue Cross) offer individual or family plans that include extensive dental care. These plans typically help with the cost of:

• Regular check-ups and cleanings

• Fillings, crowns, and bridges

• Orthodontics (braces and aligners)

• Major restorative work

Premiums vary based on your age, coverage level, and province, but you can compare plans easily online to find one that fits your needs and budget.

Federal Support: The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

The federal government has introduced the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) to help make dental care more affordable for uninsured Canadians with lower or moderate incomes. The CDCP is being rolled out gradually and will cover a wide range of dental services. You can learn more about how it works here.

If you don’t have private dental coverage and your household income falls within the eligible range, this new program can be a great way to access affordable care without relying solely on MSP.