Dental Programs

Dental Programs to help eligible people living in Nova Scotia access dental care include:

Children’s Oral Health Program

The Government of Nova Scotia offers the Children’s Oral Health Program. This program covers basic dental care for children age 14 and younger who have a valid MSI health card number.  

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program

This program provides coverage to eligible residents for medically necessary oral and maxillofacial surgical services required to be delivered in-hospital. The following services are covered under the program:

  • Dental surgery including immediate pre-operative care, the surgical operation, and post-operative care provided within the 30 days following surgery.

  • In-hospital consultations requested by a physician or dental/oral maxillofacial surgeon based on professional knowledge of the patient.

Individuals with Special Needs Oral Health Program

This program provides coverage for the basic dental needs of Nova Scotia residents who have been diagnosed to have an intellectual disability that makes it necessary for their dental care to take place in a hospital setting under a general anesthetic or acceptable alternative.

For services delivered in an office setting, residents must use their private insurance first before the program will provide coverage.  

Registration for this program is required, so please discuss this program with your physician and dentist.

Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Program

This program provides coverage for residents with craniofacial anomalies that directly influence the growth and development of the dentoalveolar and craniofacial structures.

To be eligible, residents must be registered into the Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Program by the Cleft Palate/ Craniofacial Team (CPT) at the IWK Health Centre.

  • From birth to age 15, these patients will be insured for basic dental services available through the Children’s Oral Health Program, as well as other services deemed necessary as a result of the anomaly.

  • From age 15 to the end of the month of their 23rd birthday, additional services are insured on a preauthorization basis depending on the treatment required.

Maxillofacial Prosthodontics Program

This program provides coverage for select residents to provide rehabilitation of head and neck deficits. Only services provided by designated providers with specialized qualifications are covered.  

Exceptional Circumstances

Dentists may apply for coverage on behalf of their patients for treatment services that are medically necessary and not covered under any other DHW Dental Program. Services must be pre-approved for coverage before proceeding. Residents must use their private insurance first before coverage under Exceptional Circumstances will be considered.

Out of province benefits

There is no coverage for the above programs if services are performed outside of Nova Scotia.

While most services are only covered if delivered in Nova Scotia, certain emergency dental services are covered in other Canadian provinces and territories if the emergency service is considered medically necessary and the service is provided by a licensed oral surgeon in a publicly funded hospital.

Contact

For more information about dental programs, talk to your dentist or dental hygienist.

If you have questions about your dental bill or claim, contact the program administrator, toll-free at 1-833-739-4035 (8:30 am to 4:30 pm).

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