IFHP Dentist in Scarborough — Refugee Dental Coverage

The IFHP is a federal program that provides temporary health coverage, including a limited range of dental care, for refugees, refugee claimants, and other protected persons who are not yet covered by a provincial or territorial health plan. It is administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and dental claims are processed through Medavie Blue Cross. It is meant to bridge the gap until a person qualifies for provincial coverage.

Eligibility is set by the federal government and generally includes protected persons, resettled refugees, refugee claimants awaiting a decision, and certain other designated groups, along with newcomers not yet covered by OHIP or another provincial plan. Because eligibility is determined federally rather than by our office, the most reliable way to confirm your status is through your IFHP certificate and the official program.

IFHP dental coverage focuses on urgent and essential care rather than cosmetic treatment. In general terms it can include examinations, X-rays, fillings, extractions, and care to relieve pain and infection, within the program's limits and any preauthorization it requires. The exact details depend on your certificate, so we confirm what applies to your situation before any treatment begins.

Yes, we welcome new patients with IFHP coverage. Cedarbrae Dental Center is on Lawrence Avenue East in Scarborough, open seven days a week including Sundays, which can make it easier to arrange care while settling into a new city. Let our front desk know you have IFHP coverage when you book, and bring your document so we can look into the details ahead of your visit.

Where applicable, our office bills the Interim Federal Health Program directly through Medavie Blue Cross, so you are not paying the full amount up front and waiting on a reimbursement. Some services may require preauthorization from the program first. We always confirm what we know about your coverage and explain what to expect before treatment begins.

Bring your IFHP certificate or document along with any recent correspondence about your coverage. Letting our front desk know ahead of your visit gives us time to look into what is available before you arrive, so the appointment runs smoothly. If you have seen another dentist recently, mention it so we can request records if that would help your care.

Yes. Our team offers care in nine languages, including Urdu, Hindi, Arabic, Gujarati, Spanish, Pashto, Tagalog, and Dari. Clear communication matters most when we are explaining treatment and coverage, so if you are more comfortable in one of these languages, let us know when you book and we will make sure someone who speaks it is part of your visit.

They are separate federal programs. The IFHP provides temporary coverage for refugees and protected persons who are not yet on a provincial plan, administered through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) helps eligible residents without private dental insurance, based on family income. You would generally use one or the other, and our front desk can help you understand which applies to your situation.

IFHP dental coverage is centred on urgent and essential care, so emergencies involving pain, infection, or a broken tooth are often within its scope, subject to the program's limits. We are open seven days a week for same-day urgent concerns, and we confirm what your coverage includes before treatment. If you are in severe pain, call our office as early in the day as you can.