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Basic provincial health insurance AHCIP covers only medically necessary dental procedures in hospitals (oral and maxillofacial surgery, treatment of injuries or tumors) and does not cover routine checkups, hygiene, fillings, prosthetics, or orthodontics.
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Targeted programs (Alberta Child Health Benefit, Alberta Adult Health Benefit, Seniors Program, Canadian Dental Care Plan) pay for some or all of basic dental care for certain groups.
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Other Calgary residents pay for dental services themselves or through private/employer plans.
1. What does AHCIP cover?
| Category | Covered? | Coverage details |
|---|---|---|
| Routine dentistry (exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, etc.) | No | Paid by the patient or private/employer plan |
| Inpatient oral and maxillofacial surgery | Yes | Treatment of injuries, tumors, congenital anomalies; billed according to the Schedule of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Benefits |
| Anesthesia, hospitalization, diagnostics | Yes | If the procedure is deemed “medically necessary” by a surgeon |
| Emergency dental care in a hospital | Partially | Hospital medical services (antibiotics, CT scans) are covered by AHCIP; dental services are not, except for surgical cases |
| Dental clinics at hospitals | No | Patient pays full cost, rates comparable to private clinics |
Example: The Dental Clinic at Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre charges full cost for treatment if it is not included in the AHCIP surgical list.
2. Targeted government programs for routine dentistry
| Program | Target group | What is covered | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Child Health Benefit (ACHB) | Children under 18 (under 20 if in school) with an income ≤ $24,397 | Exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, X-rays, urgent care | No copay |
| Alberta Adult Health Benefit (AAHB) | Adults on social assistance or with very low income | Basic dentistry (treatment of pain/infection) | Limited list of services and amounts |
| Seniors Dental Program | Residents ≥ 65 years old receiving GIS | 100% basic and 70% extended dental care | Up to $5,000 for 2 years |
| Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) | Canadians without private insurance, income < $90,000/year | Prevention, diagnosis, fillings, extractions, prosthetics (40–100%) | Depends on income, according to federal guidelines |
3. Private and employer plans
- Employer plans (Alberta Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife): – Reimburse ~80% of basic procedures and 50% of prosthetic work up to an annual maximum of $1,000–3,000.
- Individual policy plans:
– Range of $40–90/month depending on age and coverage.
- No insurance: – Patient pays according to the clinic's price list, based on the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
4. Alternative assistance for the uninsured
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Dental schools (SAIT Dental Assisting Clinic): – 50–60% discounts, longer visit times, students supervised by instructors.
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Financing/installment plans through iFinance, DentalCard, or the clinic's internal plans.
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Compare prices using the Alberta Dental Fee Guide before choosing a clinic.
5. What to do if you have a dental emergency
- Call Health Link 811 — a nurse will refer you to a clinic with a dentist on duty or to an AHS Intervention Clinic.
- For life-threatening swelling or infection, go to the emergency room: – AHCIP covers medical procedures at the hospital, but not dental services, except for surgical procedures.
6. Frequently asked questions
Does AHCIP cover wisdom tooth removal? Only if it is a complex oral surgery procedure performed in a hospital with medical indications.
Does the government reimburse children's orthodontics? No. Orthodontics is paid for privately. CDCP may provide limited coverage only under strict medical criteria.
Does AHCIP cover dental procedures under anesthesia for children with autism? Anesthesia and hospitalization may be covered, but the dental work itself is not included in the list of surgical coverage.
Conclusion
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AHCIP is not insurance for routine dentistry — only for “medically necessary” surgical procedures.
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Free or discounted dental services are available through targeted programs (ACHB, AAHB, Seniors, CDCP).
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For most residents, the best option is private or employer insurance + careful selection of a clinic according to the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
Follow these recommendations to understand what dental services are covered by the government and take advantage of the programs available in Calgary.