MSP only covers dental and oral surgery when it’s medically necessary and done in hospital. For example, you’ll be covered if you need dental or oral surgery due to facial trauma or a serious infection. You’ll need a referral from a doctor or dentist.
Who is eligible for MSP dental coverage?
For other services outside hospital dental surgery, you may or may not receive MSP covered dental services depending on your situation.
For example, if you receive income or disability assistance, you may also be able to have basic costs covered.
For example, you may be eligible for supplementary dental care if you receive or qualify for these kinds of income assistance:
- General and health supplements
- Disability assistance
- Assistance for persons with persistent multiple barriers to employment
How much dental care does MSP cover?
For those on assistance who qualify, MSP also covers $1,000 every other year beginning in Jan 1 of odd-numbered years. This coverage extends to both the person and their spouse. Their children under 19 receive $2,000 over the same period. Another $1,000 is available every year for children needing dental treatment in a hospital under a general anesthetic. The dental services MSP covers for these BC residents may include:
- Basic dental services, such as having teeth fixed or pulled
- Preventative services such as exams, cleanings and fluoride treatments
- Partial or full dentures, or work to adjust or replace them
- Crowns and bridges
What other options are available for dental services MSP doesn’t cover?
If you are not someone who is eligible because they receive assistance, you will need to find another way to pay for most dental services. Here are some of those services:
Federal government dental support
For these services MSP does not cover, the federal government may be able to reimburse you for some or all your costs. In spring of 2025, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) opened to Canadians of all ages.
To be covered, you must meet certain criteria, including having a combined household income of less than $90,000 and filing your income taxes.
CDCP covers the services just listed and more. It may or may not cover the full cost of the service. It depends on your income and the amount the service costs versus how much CDCP covers. Those with family net incomes of $70,000 to $89,000 may have a co-payment, meaning they have to pay a percentage of the costs CDCP covers.
Make sure you check on whether your dentist participates in the plan.
Other coverage options
Students enrolled in college and university are automatically signed up for limited benefits including dental. There is also a program that provides discounts which lead to greater savings for these students.
Lower-cost dental treatment is also available from clinics that participate. You can also check with dental schools and community health clinics to see if they offer dental care. You may be able to access care on a sliding scale according to your income.
Check your coverage
Make sure you know the full amount you are covered for before arranging for dental care. If your claim is denied, follow up with your dental care provider or MSP. It may be that you aren’t eligible or that the provider has billed the service incorrectly. If you want help navigating dental benefits, contact:
Can private health insurance help cover dental care that MSP doesn’t cover?
Yes. Private health insurance can help cover the out-of-pocket cost of dental care your government plan doesn’t cover.
For example, our Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance offers several levels of coverage for dental care.
Our popular Select plus plan covers 80% of the cost of routine services up to a maximum of $750 per calendar year.
If you have workplace benefits, you may also have some coverage for dental.