The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) is a temporary Canadian health coverage program that provides urgent dental care for eligible newcomers who are not yet covered by provincial or territorial health insurance.
At Rosedale Dental Care, we accept IFHP and are committed to helping eligible patients access the urgent dental services they need with minimal stress.
IFHP offers limited, temporary dental coverage for specific immigration and refugee groups. Under this program, dental benefits are intended to address urgent or essential dental issues — especially pain, infection, or trauma — not routine cosmetic or preventive care.
This coverage is administered by Medavie Blue Cross on behalf of the Government of Canada, and claims are submitted directly by participating dental providers.
IFHP dental coverage is available to individuals in Canada with certain immigration statuses, such as:
Coverage is automatic once official IFHP eligibility documents are issued and lasts until provincial/territorial health coverage begins or eligibility ends.
IFHP focuses on emergency and essential dental care — designed to:
✔ Relieve dental pain
✔ Manage infection or trauma
✔ Stabilize dental conditions until longer-term care is available
Examples of covered services may include:
Coverage is not intended for routine care like cleanings, cosmetic procedures, or orthodontics.
Present your IFHP eligibility documents at your appointment.
Our team confirms your eligibility with Medavie Blue Cross.
IFHP-covered treatments are billed directly — you typically won’t pay at the time of service for emergency care.
Some procedures may need prior approval before treatment.
IFHP does not cover:
❌ Routine dental exams and cleanings
❌ Cosmetic dentistry (e.g., whitening, veneers)
❌ Most elective restorative work
❌ Orthodontic treatments
❌ Services normally covered under provincial insurance once that coverage begins
If you need care outside of the IFHP scope, our team will explain your options clearly before treatment.
For newcomers in Canada awaiting provincial health coverage, IFHP plays a vital role in ensuring access to urgent dental care when it matters most. At Rosedale Dental Care, we support eligible IFHP patients through every step — from verifying eligibility to providing compassionate, high-quality emergency dental services.
A: IFHP provides emergency and essential dental services like urgent exams, diagnostic X-rays, pain or infection management, extractions, and limited denture repairs or relines.
A: Certain refugee claimants, resettled refugees, protected persons, and select other groups based on immigration status. Coverage is automatic upon issuance of IFHP documentation.
A: No. Routine cleanings, cosmetic procedures, and elective treatments are not covered under IFHP.
A: For IFHP-covered emergency care, Rosedale Dental Care bills Medavie Blue Cross directly. If a service is not covered, we’ll notify you before treatment.
A: Yes — denture repairs and relines are covered within IFHP limits, but full dentures or extensive prosthetics may have restrictions and require pre-authorization.
If you’re covered by IFHP and need urgent dental care, contact Rosedale Dental Care — we’re here to help you smile with confidence.