NIHB dental care in Toronto
Bring your NIHB client information and details of any other dental coverage. We will check what applies before your treatment begins.
- Help understanding your NIHB dental coverage.
- Same day emergency appointments when available
- Steps from Pape Station
- New patients and families welcome
Book an Appointment
NIHB dental care close to home in Toronto's east end
The Non Insured Health Benefits program helps eligible First Nations and Inuit clients get medically necessary dental care that is not covered by a private, provincial or territorial plan. It covers exams, cleanings, fillings, root canals, extractions, dentures and more, with coverage decided individually based on clinical need and program limits.
Our clinic is at 745 Danforth Avenue near Pape Station, and we see patients from across East York, Greektown, Woodbine, Greenwood and Blake-Jones. If you are unsure what your benefits cover, bring your information to your first visit and we will go through it with you.
Who may be eligible
- Anyone registered under the Indian Act
- Recognized Inuit beneficiaries
- Children under two whose parent qualifies
- Residents of Canada who meet the program requirements
Eligibility does not depend on your income, and there is no application process. If you meet the criteria, you can use your benefits with a licensed dental provider.
What NIHB dental coverage usually includes
Coverage depends on your individual eligibility and how recently you had similar treatment. This is the general picture.
Often available without prior approval
- Dental exams and emergency exams
- Eligible X rays
- Cleanings, scaling and polishing
- Fluoride treatment
- Fillings
- Standard root canal treatment
- Most simple and surgical extractions
- Temporary treatment for pain or trauma
Usually needs approval first
- Crowns
- First partial dentures and some replacements
- Root canal retreatment
- Major oral surgery
- Additional gum treatment
- Sedation or general anesthetic
- Orthodontic treatment for severe cases
- Sleep apnea appliances, by exception
Not covered by NIHB
- Dental implants and implant work
- Fixed bridges
- Veneers
- Teeth whitening
- Cosmetic only treatment
- Night guards for grinding
- Sports mouth guards
- Devices for snoring alone
Frequency limits apply to most services, which means there are set intervals between treatments of the same kind. We check your available coverage before treatment starts so there are no surprises.
We do offer implants, bridges, veneers, whitening and mouth guards at the clinic. These are private services and are not covered by NIHB.
NIHB dental services at our Danforth clinic
Here is what we treat, with a note on each where approval is usually needed first.
Exams, X rays and cleanings
Comprehensive and recall exams, emergency exams, diagnostic X rays, dental cleaning, scaling, polishing and fluoride treatment.
Fillings and restorative care
Composite and amalgam fillings, treatment of decay and damaged teeth, and temporary relief for pain or trauma. Dental crowns may be covered once approved.
Root canal treatment
Standard root canal treatment for eligible teeth, pulp treatment and management of infection. Retreatment of a previously treated tooth usually needs approval first.
Extractions and oral surgery
Simple and surgical tooth extraction, impacted teeth and treatment of dental infection or trauma. More complex oral surgery may need approval.
Dentures
Complete and partial dentures, repairs, relines, rebases and adjustments. First dentures and some replacements need approval before they are made.
Emergency care
Severe toothache, swelling, infection, broken teeth, lost fillings and dental trauma. We keep time for emergency dental care and offer same day appointments when available.
- Monday: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Tuesday: 12–8 p.m.
- Wednesday: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Thursday: 12–8 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Sunday: Closed
Book an Appointment
How we check your coverage and get treatment approved
Some treatments need to be reviewed by NIHB before they begin. This is called predetermination, and it means everyone knows what is covered before any work starts.
Step 1. Bring your information
Your Status card or registration number, your NIHB client identification number, Inuit N number if that applies, photo identification, and details of any other dental insurance you have.
Step 2. Have your examination
We examine your teeth and gums, take any X rays needed, and put together a treatment plan. NIHB accepts X rays taken within the past twelve months.
Step 3. We check what is covered
We look at your available benefits, your frequency limits, any other coverage you hold, and whether anything in your plan needs approval first.
Step 4. Treatment goes ahead
Once coverage is confirmed we book your treatment.
Can NIHB cover a sleep apnea oral appliance?
Oral appliances are not a standard NIHB dental benefit, but the program may consider one as an exception for eligible adults with mild or moderate sleep apnea. The main conditions are that you are 18 or over, that NIHB records show you qualified for and tried CPAP for at least three months without being able to stick with it, that you have a prescription from a physician or nurse practitioner less than twelve months old, and that the request is approved before the appliance is made.
NIHB may consider a medically required appliance for eligible sleep apnea cases. It does not cover a device prescribed only to reduce snoring.
A sleep apnea appliance is not the same as a night guard for grinding or a sports guard, and those are not covered. You can read more about our custom oral appliance for snoring and sleep apnea, or call us and we will talk through whether an exception request makes sense for you.
Using NIHB alongside private insurance or CDCP
If you have more than one plan, the order the claims go in matters.
- If you have private or workplace insurance, that plan is billed first and issues a statement of benefits.
- NIHB then considers what remains on eligible services.
- If you have both NIHB and the Canadian Dental Care Plan, the claim goes to NIHB first.
Why patients choose Danforth Dental Centre
We have looked after families in this part of Toronto for over 35 years.
Over 35 years on Danforth, with Dr. Michael Strugurescu and Dr. Sasan Shahrbandi
Care for adults, children and whole families
Same day emergency appointments when available
Saturday appointments
English, Farsi, Greek and Romanian spoken
A short walk from Pape Station with street parking nearby
New patients welcome
Common questions about NIHB dental coverage
Does Danforth Dental Centre accept NIHB?
We welcome First Nations and Inuit patients and will help you understand what your NIHB benefits cover before any treatment begins. Call us and we will go through your situation with you.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Your Status card or registration information, your NIHB client identification number, your Inuit N number if that applies, photo identification, details of any private insurance, a list of any medications you take, and any approval letters you already have.
Does NIHB cover root canals, crowns or dentures?
Standard root canal treatment is often covered without prior approval. Crowns and most dentures can be covered when the clinical criteria are met, but they usually need approval first. Frequency limits and previous treatment both affect the decision.
Does NIHB cover implants, bridges or whitening?
No. Implants, implant supported restorations, fixed bridges, veneers, whitening and treatment done purely for appearance are all excluded. Removable dentures are the covered alternative for replacing missing teeth, and we can talk you through that option.
Does NIHB cover braces or Invisalign?
Only in limited cases. Orthodontic coverage applies to severe problems that affect how the mouth functions, and it always needs approval first. Routine straightening, mild crowding and cosmetic Invisalign treatment are not covered.
Does NIHB cover wisdom tooth removal?
Simple and surgical extractions are usually eligible, including many impacted teeth. More complex surgical cases can need approval first. We assess this at your examination and tell you before anything is booked.
Does NIHB cover a device for snoring?
No. NIHB specifically excludes appliances requested to treat snoring alone. An appliance may be considered by exception for diagnosed mild or moderate sleep apnea when the CPAP, prescription and approval conditions are met. If you snore heavily and have not been assessed, speak to your doctor first.
Can I use NIHB with private insurance or CDCP?
Yes. Private or workplace insurance is billed first, then NIHB considers what remains. If you have both NIHB and CDCP, the claim goes to NIHB first. Bring details of every plan and we will sort out the order.