Question Period Note: The Non-Insured Health Benefits Program – Dental Care

Our government, through the Non-Insured Health Benefits
(NIHB) Program, provides eligible clients - registered First
Nations and recognized Inuit - with coverage for a range of
health benefits, including dental care.
• The Governments of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories are
funded by contribution agreements to deliver dental benefits to
eligible residents, as part of their integrated territorial health
system.
• In Yukon, Indigenous Services Canada directly coordinates and
processes requests for dental care coverage under the Non-
Insured Health Benefits Program.
• Indigenous Services Canada also operates a dental clinic in
Whitehorse that provides dental services to eligible Non-Insured
Health Benefit clients.

The NIHB Program covers eligible First Nations and Inuit clients unless otherwise covered
under another plan or program or through a separate agreement (such as a self-government
agreement).
Medical transportation benefits are delivered through Indigenous Services Canada regional
offices, or by First Nations or Inuit organizations/communities. In Nunavut and Northwest
Territories, longstanding funding agreements have been in place with the territorial governments
to fund the delivery of some NIHB benefits (including dental and transportation) in a manner that
is integrated with the Territorial health system.
In addition to client travel, medical transportation expenditures also include costs associated
with transporting health care professionals to under-serviced and/or remote and isolated
communities to facilitate access to medically necessary services.
The Northern Region was impacted by provincial/territorial quarantine and social distancing
requirements for clients travelling out of community during the COVID-19 pandemic, which
resulted in an increase to the number of trips needed to facilitate necessary travel.

If pressed on Dental Benefit under the Non-Insured Health
Benefits Program
• The NIHB Program covers eligible First Nations and Inuit clients
unless otherwise covered under another plan or program or
under a separate agreement (such as a self-government
agreement).
• The NIHB dental benefit covers a broad range of both preventive
and restorative dental services.
• The NIHB Program also provides coverage for medical
transportation benefits, to assist eligible clients to access
health services, including dental services, that are not available
locally.