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Dentistry

We provide consultations and comprehensive dental treatment for healthy young children and children/adolescents diagnosed with a medical comorbidity or behavioural complexity, as well as emergency dental care upon referral.
Our services

referral from a physician, a nurse practitioner or a dentist is needed to visit this clinic.

BC Children’s Dentistry follows the B.C. Suggested Fee Guide. If you do not have coverage we can find out how much the cost will be outside your dental plan.

BC Children’s Hospital is a leader in general and specialized pediatric services, and is the province’s foremost teaching and research facility for child health. Dental residents and fellows are routinely involved in the dental care of patients.

The dental clinic and our team of specialists offer comprehensive, preventative treatment, therapeutic oral health diagnosis and consultative expertise for infants, and medically compromised children and adolescents.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for treatment in the dental clinic and operating room are as follows:

  • Children under four years of age with severe dental decay
  • Children/adolescents under 17 years of age with a significantly compromising medical condition, such as: cancer, organ transplant, congenital heart disease, cleft lip/palate, craniofacial anomaly, severe bleeding disorder
  • Children/adolescents under 17 years of age medically diagnosed with a behaviour management issue, such as autism or severe developmental delay

Our team

Pediatric dentists

Dr. Jennifer Park, DMD, FRCD(C), MSc, BA, is a certified specialist in pediatric dentistry. She is committed to providing comprehensive dental care for infants, children, adolescents and those with special needs. She is passionate about preventing disease and restoring/maintaining great oral health.

Dr. Park received her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) in 2008 from the University of Saskatchewan, where she also obtained her Bachelor of Arts in psychology (2004). Dr. Park also completed a Pediatric General Practice Residency (GPR) at the IWK Health Centre and Dalhousie University in Halifax. She went on to practice as a general dentist for three years in Saskatoon, Vancouver and the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. Her passion to use her skills to serve the underprivileged led her on medical/dental mission trips to Haiti and Nicaragua.

Over the years, Dr. Park was particularly drawn to pediatrics which led her to pursue specialty training in pediatric dentistry at the University of British Columbia where she also obtained a master's in craniofacial science. Dr. Park is extensively trained in providing comprehensive dental care for healthy, medically compromised and special needs children using a wide variety of modalities including behaviour management and oral sedation. She is particularly interested and experienced in dental trauma care.

Dr. Park is a pediatric dentistry fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, a member of the Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, British Columbia Society of Pediatric Dentistry and the British Columbia Dental Association. Dr. Park is committed to teaching and training future dentists and specialists and is a clinical assistant professor at the University of British Columbia and the chief of dentistry at the BC Children’s Hospital.

Phone: 604-875-2114 (Department of Dentistry)
Dr. Amy Bellamy obtained her Bachelor of Science in food, nutrition and health, and subsequently completed her Doctorate of Dental Medicine at the University of British Columbia. Following graduation, Dr. Bellamy pursued specialty training in pediatric dentistry at the Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. 
 
Outside of the office, Dr. Bellamy enjoys traveling, running and spending time with her husband, family and friends. Dr. Bellamy is a B.C. native who grew up on Vancouver Island. She is excited to serve our community in the Lower Mainland.

Dr. Kunal Chander was born and raised in India and moved to Vancouver in 1999. He completed his undergraduate biochemistry degree at Simon Fraser University. During this time, he volunteered at several hospitals and also worked in research laboratories. Through his hospital volunteer work experience, he realized that he wanted to help people in need. His own visits to the dentist sparked his interest in dentistry. He went to the University of Western Ontario to pursue dentistry and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2011.

Dr. Serena Kassam is a pediatric dentist at BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, where she is an associate clinical professor. She also maintains a faculty appointment with NYU College of Dentistry.
 
Dr. Kassam completed her BA and DMD at Tufts University and a pediatric dental residency through Lutheran Medical Center at St. Joseph's Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. She completed a research fellowship at New York University Langone Medical Center, Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery in Craniofacial Pediatric Dentistry and Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM). She has worked as clinical attending with St. Joseph’s Hospital (through Lutheran Medical Center), clinical assistant professor at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and in private practice. She has served as the team pediatric dentist with the Rhode Island and the Tufts cleft and craniofacial teams and established NAM clinics at both sites.


After receiving his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of British Columbia, Dr. Fran Rhee went on to complete his general practice residency at Montefiore Medical Centre in New York and specialized pediatric dentistry residency at the University of Minnesota.

He has a special interest in supporting anxious patients and using minimally invasive dentistry techniques. Oftentimes, the source of fear in children is deemed insignificant and consequently overlooked; Dr. Fran takes great joy in finding that source of fear and anxiety and working with it. His belief is that creating positive dental experiences for children helps to create good dental habits for life.


 
Dr. Joy Richman began her training first as a dentist and then as a specialist in pediatric dentistry. She started a project during her specialty training on tooth development and it paved the way for her current research interest in craniofacial development.

Dr. Richman’s research is focused on:

  • The molecular and environmental factors that can cause facial deformities such as cleft lip with or without cleft palate.
  • The molecular basis for specifying jaw identity.
  • The control of tooth replacement in polyphyodont animals.  
More recently, Dr. Richman has been fortunate to work on reptiles including snakes, lizards and turtles. This new line of research, especially the work on tooth replacement, directly feeds into her clinical training in pediatric dentistry. The reptile work is providing a much broader evolutionary perspective on the origins of the face and teeth. 

The Richman lab is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and National Sciences and Engineering Council. Dr. Richman welcomes applications from potential PhD students and postdoctoral fellows with a background in developmental biology, genetics, biochemistry or cell biology.
Dr. Randa Soussou is a certified specialist in pediatric dentistry, committed to providing specialized comprehensive preventive and restorative oral health care for healthy, medically compromised and special needs children and adolescents using a variety of modalities, including behaviour management and oral sedation.

Dr. Soussou obtained her bachelor degree in dental surgery (BDS) in 2001 from the Jordan University of Science and Technology. She received her American Dental Board accreditation in 2004. After graduation, she worked with children for eleven years in a dental centre in Amman, Jordan.
 
Dr. Soussou moved with her family to Vancouver in 2012. She further pursued her interest in pediatric dentistry by being a resident at BC Children’s Hospital. She obtained her Master of Science and Diploma of Pediatric Dentistry degrees at the University of British Columbia. The scope of her research was focused on advocating the importance of oral health care to children’s caregivers. She believes that building positive attitudes and habits about dental health starting from childhood will lead to better oral health, overall health, and in turn, confident smiles.

Dr. Soussou is also a fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, British Columbia Society of Pediatric Dentistry, and the British Columbia Dental Association.

Dr. Soussou is committed to teaching and training future dentists, she teaches pediatric dental residents at BC Children’s Hospitals. She is a clinical associate professor at UBC Faculty of Dentistry and attending staff at BC Children’s Hospital.

In her spare time, you can find Dr. Soussou at the swimming pool, either swimming or cheering her two daughters who are competitive swimmers. You can also find her hiking the local trails with her husband and two girls. She also enjoys baking, traveling and exploring new countries, cultures and food!
Having spent most of her childhood in the greater Vancouver area, beautiful British Columbia has always had a special place in Dr. Suh’s heart. Eventually, Dr. Suh and her family moved to the Maritimes where she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax. 

The fond memories of her childhood in B.C. and her love for the outdoors brought her back to the west coast where she practiced on Vancouver Island for two years as a general dentist. Dr. Suh returned to Vancouver after completing the pediatric dentistry residency program at the University of Rochester – Eastman Institute of Oral Health.

Dr. Suh is very passionate about early prevention and is fully committed to providing the highest quality of dental care to children in a fun and enjoyable environment. Outside of dentistry, you’ll find her on the trails, camping, hiking, biking, and exploring the beautiful outdoors.
 

Dr. Shan Sun obtained her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) in 2011 from McGill University and completed a General Practice Residency (GPR) at the BC Children’s Hospital where she provided comprehensive dental care for medically compromised children and continues to teach part-time. Her passion for working with children led her to pursue specialty training in pediatric dentistry at the University of British Columbia where she also obtained a Master of Science in craniofacial sciences. She is a full-time principal dentist at Monarch Pediatric Dental Centre and is fluent in English, French and Mandarin Chinese.

Oral surgeons 

Dr. Raymon Grewal received his Bachelor of Science degree in anatomy and histology from McGill University. In 2001, he earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the Ivy League institution of Columbia University in New York City. He later went on to pursue an additional four years of training in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the Hospital of Saint Raphael/Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
 
After completing his residency in July of 2005, Dr. Grewal joined a well-respected oral and maxillofacial surgery group in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After practicing for four years in the United States, he made the decision to return to Vancouver, where he was born and raised. He is a board-certified specialist and serves as the division head of oral and maxillofacial surgery at BC Children’s Hospital and is an assistant clinical professor at the University of British Columbia dental school.
 
Dr. Grewal practices the full scope of office- and hospital-based oral and maxillofacial surgery with a special interest in dentoalveolar procedures, anesthesia, implants, bone grafting, oral pathology, maxillofacial reconstruction and trauma. He maintains full surgical privileges at both BC Children’s Hospital and Lion’s Gate Hospital.
 
Outside of clinical practice, Dr. Grewal is actively involved in supporting the profession and the public to which it serves. He volunteers on numerous committees and task forces, and has served as the president of the Dental Specialists Society of BC, the president of the BC Dental Association, and the president of the BC Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is currently the B.C. representative to the Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and also serves on the advisory council at Science World.
 
In 2018, Dr. Grewal was nominated by his colleagues to be inducted into three honorary dental societies: the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
Dr. Jason Choi is a certified specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery who provides the full scope of surgical treatment for the oral-facial complex. Dr. Choi completed his dental education at the University of Southern California (USC) in 2003. At USC, Dr. Choi participated in the oral and maxillofacial surgery selective program and received the American Association of Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons Award for outstanding achievement in oral maxillofacial surgery. 

After graduation, Dr. Choi completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery training at Montefiore Medical Center in New York in 2011. During his four years at Montefiore Medical Center, he gained experience in every facet of oral maxillofacial surgery ranging from dentoalveolar surgery, implants, bone grafting, pathology, infections, trauma, facial reconstruction and orthognathic jaw surgery.
 
Dr. Choi has had extensive training with multiple implant systems and peri-implant site development such as sinus lifts, guided bone regeneration, block grafts and soft tissue grafting. Dr. Choi sees patients out of both the Richmond and Burnaby offices as well as a general anesthetic facility in Vancouver. He is also a staff member at BC Children’s Hospital providing emergency and standard care. Dr. Choi is actively involved in education and is currently an assistant clinical professor at UBC contributing to the teaching curriculum for the undergraduate, graduate prosthodontic and graduate pediatric programs. He is also active in the community volunteering at the annual CCDSBC Health Fair and the annual Success Health Fair.
Dr. Graham Grabowski completed his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of British Columbia. He continued his training at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut where he completed his residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Following this, he completed the National Dental Specialty Examination of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and is recognized as a certified specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

In addition to his work at BC Children’s Hospital, Dr. Grabowski is an assistant clinical professor at UBC’s Faculty of Dentistry. He is involved in the undergraduate oral surgery program as well as the graduate pediatric dentistry and orthodontics programs.

Outside of work, Dr. Grabowski enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter and two dogs. He stays active skiing and biking, and when possible, travelling. To relax, he enjoys cooking and gardening. 
 
Dr. Grabowski enjoys working with patients and other care providers to ensure patients understand their treatment options and select treatments that achieve their objectives.


Dr. Ben Kang attended high school in the Lower Mainland and finished his undergraduate studies at University of British Columbia (UBC). He then finished his doctorate degree in dental medicine at UBC among the top of his class. For the next two years, he practiced general dentistry in the Vancouver area and was heavily involved in dental implant treatment planning and restorations.
 
Dr. Kang then went on to complete his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program at Lincoln Medical Center affiliated with Weil Medical College of Cornell University in New York City. Given his well-rounded surgical techniques and knowledge, he was invited to assume an attending physician position at the same hospital where he dedicated his time to training residents. He was also appointed to a faculty position at Weil Cornell Medical College as an instructor in clinical surgery. 
 
Dr. Kang is a board-certified specialist in both Canada and the United States. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.

With his previous general dentistry background, Dr. Kang embraces the importance of collaborations with referring colleagues in all phases of patient care. To enhance the experience of patients, Dr. Kang is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Orthodontists

Dr. Travis Gibson, DMD, MSc, Dipl(Ortho), is one of our team's Certified Specialists in Orthodontics. He was born and raised in North Vancouver, and attended the University of British Columbia for his Bachelor of Science (BSc), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Diploma in Orthodontics, and Master of Science (MSc) degrees. 

 
After completing his orthodontic speciality education, Dr. Gibson completed a Fellowship in Craniofacial and Special Care Orthodontics at New York University where he gained extensive experience in the orthodontic management of cleft lip and palate and other congenital facial differences. 

Dr. Gibson believes in the importance of an honest and open partnership between patient, family and doctor. He works hard to ensure each person understands their unique treatment needs and options so that they can make an informed decision on what is best for them.

In addition to being a member of the BC Children’s Hospital cleft and craniofacial team, Dr. Gibson maintains a private practice in Maple Ridge which focuses on comprehensive dental care for children and teens, offering both orthodontic and pediatric dental services. Dr. Gibson is also involved in academic research with both New York University and BC Children’s Hospital, and has published studies in the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, and Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is a contributing author and editor of the textbook Cleft and Craniofacial Orthodontics.
 
In his free time, Dr. Gibson likes to spend time with his wife and their identical twin boys. They enjoy outdoor activities such as biking and camping, and playing board games.

Dr. Paul Helpard is originally from Welland, Ontario. He attended the University of Western Ontario where he received a Bachelor of Science degree. He then completed dental school at McGill University where he was a gold medal recipient. Following university, Dr. Helpard spent three years with the Canadian military before pursuing orthodontic specialty training at the University of Iowa.


Dr. Helpard is actively involved with the Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Team of B.C. He works at BC Children's Hospital providing consultation services and interdisciplinary treatment planning with numerous medical specialists. 

Dr. Helpard is a member of the Canadian and American Associations of Orthodontics, the British Columbia Society of Orthodontists as well as the Canadian and British Columbia Dental Associations. He is a fellow and examiner of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and he has completed the multistage examination process to become a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.

Outside of the office, Dr. Helpard likes to spend time with his wife, Christine, and their three beautiful children, Benjamin, Amelia and Sammy. He enjoys participating in many community and athletic activities.

Dr. Angie Loo, DMD, MSc, FRCDC, graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of British Columbia in 1985, after which she completed her general practice residency at the Hospital for Sick Children, Hugh MacMillan and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospitals in Toronto, Ontario. 

 

Dr. Loo graduated with a combined certification in the specialty of orthodontics and Master of Science in Craniofacial Biology from the University of Manitoba in 1989. Following graduation, Dr. Loo returned home to establish her private practice in Vancouver and subsequently received her orthodontic fellowship in the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. 

 

Dr. Loo is an active orthodontist staff member on the BC Children's Hospital Cleft and Craniofacial Team, an Associate Clinical Professor at the UBC Faculty of Dentistry, and the course coordinator for the UBC graduate orthodontic program in cleft and craniofacial care. She lectures internationally on facial clefting and feels privileged to participate in surgical cleft missions overseas. 

 

Dr. Loo's passion for treating children with cleft and craniofacial differences inspired her to form the Spring for Kids Foundation in 2009, where she currently serves as the foundation's president. Dr. Loo's commitment to the treatment and education of children with cleft and craniofacial differences was recognized with a 2011 certificate of merit from the British Columbia Dental Association, and the American Association of Orthodontists Humanitarian Award in 2022.

 

When not in private practice, Angie enjoys her favourite hobbies including soapstone carving and nature photography,  and venturing the great outdoors sea kayaking with her family.  


Phone: 604-261-8890 

Email:  DrLoo@bracedinbc.com

Website:  bracedinbc.com       

 
I have the best job in the world. I truly love getting up in the morning to come to work!

I am thrilled when I see the improvements we are able to make to someone’s appearance and function, and the enormous effect that can have on the person’s self-esteem and confidence. 

Orthodontics requires science, medicine and art, along with the ability to connect with each patient and understand what will serve them best. It is essential to develop a treatment approach that not only delivers the radiant smile, but also provides stable function so the person is able to enjoy a lifetime of oral health.

I feel very privileged to have the confidence of parents who bring their children to me and equally appreciate the trust of my adult patients. Creating something so personal that will affect the individual’s health and emotional well-being for years to come is a great responsibility.

After 35 years of practice, I take that responsibility as seriously as I did the day I saw my first patient.

Dr. Dorothy Sonya, DMD, MSc., Dip. Ortho. RCDC, Dip. ABO, CDSBC, has more than 35 years of experience in dental medicine, orthodontics and radiology.

 

Prior to specializing in orthodontics, Dr. Sonya was a general dentist. This experience enabled her to gain essential insight into the long-term oral health needs of the community, and that insight continues to inform her orthodontic treatment planning. She crafts each patient's treatment approach to address their aesthetic goals as well as lasting function and stability.

 

Dr. Sonya holds a Doctorate of Dental Medicine, a Master of Science and a diploma in orthodontics from the University of Manitoba, as well as a Master of Science in dental and maxillofacial radiology from King's College, London, England, and a certificate of clinical proficiency in radiology from the University of Washington in Seattle.

 

When she's not seeing patients, Dr. Sonya enjoys time with her family, friends and many community activities. 


Phone: 604-535-3028

Email: info@whiterockortho.com

Website: whiterockortho.com

Top 

Endodontist

Dr. Ahmed Hieawy is a certified specialist in endodontics with over 25 years of experience in this field. 

As part of his Canadian board certification, he completed a masters in craniofacial sciences and a diploma in endodontics at UBC Dentistry. He is currently a clinical associate professor serving as the director of undergraduate endodontics program as well as a faculty in the graduate endodontic program at UBC dentistry/Department of Oral, Medical and Biological Sciences. He is an active member of the American Association of Endodontics (AAE), the Canadian Academy of Endodontists (CAE), the British Columbia Society of Endodontists (BCSE), the Royal College of Dentists of Canada (RCDC) and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS).

Dr. Hieawy has a special interest in tissue repair and regeneration in management of dentoalveolar trauma with passion to help the medically compromised patients. He serves as a staff endodontist at the Vancouver General Hospital and BC Children’s Hospital. 

Dr. Hieawy’s vision is to provide a high quality endodontic treatment that best addresses his patients’ needs, while continuing to work on his research and teaching at the university. His commitments and dedication to this profession propels his thinking forward to envision how we can always provide a state of the art health service and keeping up with the fast pace of the developing dental care.

As a Madridista, Dr. Hieawy will always find the time to watch all Real Madrid matches.
Your visit

First visit

  • Please arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment.
  • Your appointment will be approximately 1.5 hours.
  • You will see a variety of health care professionals.

Dental insurance

It is important to understand that the dental clinic does not know the details of your dental plan coverage; this information is protected by the Personal Information Protection Act. However, the dental clinic can work with you to determine what services may be covered. A dental plan can help you cover some of the costs of child's dental care. However, it is important to understand that your dental plan may not cover all of the treatment needs.

Confirm plan coverage: Before you visit the dental clinic always ensure you share any relevant information with the dental clinic, such as changes to your plan, any recent claims and/or past treatment that may affect your coverage.


Ask for a pre-determination: Once you review, discuss and agree on a treatment plan with the dentist, the dental clinic can submit a pre-determination to your plan provider. A pre-determination provides you with an estimate of what costs your dental plan will cover and what you will be responsible for. Please be aware this is not a guarantee of coverage.


Important Note: A pre-determination is usually valid for a fixed period of time (i.e. six months to a year) however, it is based on available coverage at the time the predetermination is submitted and approved. Therefore, it is important to be aware that if, between the time a predetermination is obtained and the time you receive treatment there are any changes and/or any limits reached on your plan, the final amount of the treatment your plan covers may change. If you have any doubts, reconfirm coverage with your plan provider before your treatment takes place.


Discuss payment options: Speak to the dental clinic before treatment begins so you understand what costs you will be responsible for at the time of care.


Deposits: The dental clinic may incur various expenses in preparation for your child's treatment. In such cases, the dental clinic will require a deposit to cover some of these initial costs.


Your plan's coverage: It's important to understand what your dental plan covers and what costs you will be responsible for. Ensure you have this information available and confirm any changes before you visit the dentist. Ask your employer for a plan booklet; in particular, be aware of: 

Plan limits: Does your plan have a yearly maximum based on a fixed dollar limit (i.e. $700 total coverage) or the frequency of services provided (i.e. units of scaling, or recall exams). 

Percentage of coverage: What percentage of each treatment is covered? For instance, many standard dental plans will cover 80 percent for preventive dental services (exam, X-rays, cleanings, fillings) and 50 percent for other procedures (crowns, bridges, veneers and dentures). It is rare for a plan to cover 100 percent of services. 

Fees covered for each procedure: Dental plans reimburse based on the plans fee schedule; this may differ from the fee your dentist charges. For instance, if your plan's schedule is $100 for a particular procedure (pays 80 percent of this fee) but your dentist charges $120 for the same procedure your dental plan will still only cover 80 percent of $100, or $80. You will need to pay any remaining costs, in this case $40.


The co-payment: This is the portion of the plan that you are responsible for paying. For instance, if your plan covers 80 percent of a procedure, you are responsible for the remaining 20 percent. You are responsible for any costs not covered by your plan. 

Specialist fees: While some plans may reimburse specialist fees, it is rare. Your plan will only pay for the portion of the cost based on the rate at which they reimburse; you are responsible for any variations. 

Lab fees: As part of your treatment your dentist may work with an outside lab. The lab sets its fees independently of the dental office; lab services may or may not be covered. 

Dual coverage: You may be eligible for additional coverage if you are also covered under a spouse/partner's dental plan. In this case your dental plan provides the primary coverage while your spouse or partner's plan may provide some additional support. However, this may not apply if the two plans are with the same company.

  • Dental plans are not customized to your child's individual dental health needs and may, or may not, cover all the treatment needs.
  • Know what your plan covers including services, percentage coverage and/or treatment limits. Ask your plan purchaser/plan provider for details.
  • You must pay the co-paymentthe portion not covered by the plan.
 

Your dentist's responsibility is to your child's health. He or she will:


  • Provide treatment recommendations based on your child's dental health care needs; this may, or may not, be covered by your plan.
  • Submit a pre-determination to your plan provider, if appropriate. This will provide an estimate of what your dental plan will cover prior to treatment.



Special programs


Severe Oligodontia Funding Initiative (SOFI) Program

SOFI is a government funded grant program to fund coordinated care to people with genetic conditions that are associated with multiple congenitally missing permanent teeth and:

  • are ready for definitive prosthodontic care from a prosthodontist/oral surgeon registered with the CDSBC
  • require significant dental intervention as part of an overall treatment plan (oral surgery and prosthodontic services)
Please note: 

  • Any treatment that has already been started or completed prior to approval will not be considered for funding. 
  • On-going maintenance treatment does not qualify for funding.
  • If the patient has dental insurance, insurance will be the first payer, followed by SOFI funding.  
Who qualifies

  • Has a genetic condition resulting in more than 8 congenitally     missing or malformed teeth (not including third molar “wisdom teeth”)
  • Between the ages of 19 and 25 (except in extenuating circumstances) or confirmed documentation that physical maturity is reached
  • Completed all orthodontic treatment, with the exception of removable appliances or retainers
  • Completed all restorations and is under the regular care of a dentist
  • Must be a Canadian citizen, or a permanent landed immigrant and a resident of British Columbia
  • Has a valid BC Care Card
How to apply

Submit an application using the established SOFI fee guides:

Treatment plans will often involve both a surgical and prosthodontic component. Applications must include clinical photographs, study models, periodontal charting and x-rays with your submission (refer to checklist).  

NOTE: Treatment plans can only be submitted by certified specialists.

SOFI committee

The committee will review each case and determine who will receive treatment based on a set list of clinical criteria. The SOFI committee meets approximately every 3 months to review new applications. Final decision letters will be sent to providers/patient approximately 4-6 weeks following SOFI committee meeting. 

Upon completion of the approved treatment plan, the dental specialist(s) submit invoices for payment.  Approved treatment plans are capped at $25,000 lifetime.

Contact information

Severe Oligodontia Funding Initiative (SOFI)
Dental Department, BC Children’s Hospital
4480 Oak St., Vancouver BC V6H 3V4  
Phone: 604-875-2345
SOFI-A (adolescent) Program

SOFI is a government funded grant program to fund coordinated care to people with genetic conditions that are associated with multiple congenitally missing permanent teeth and:

  • are ready for transitional prosthodontic care from a prosthodontist registered with the CDSBC
  • require significant dental intervention as part of an overall treatment plan (may include future oral surgery and prosthodontic services)
Please note: 

  • Any treatment that has already been started or completed prior to approval will not be considered for funding. 
  • On-going maintenance treatment does not qualify for funding.
  • If the patient has dental insurance, insurance will be the first payer, followed by SOFI funding.  
Who qualifies

  • Has a genetic condition resulting in more than 8 congenitally   missing or malformed teeth (not including third molar “wisdom teeth”)
  • Between 10 and 18 years of age (except in extenuating circumstances)
  • Completed all fillings and is under the regular care of a dentist
  • Must be a Canadian citizen, or a permanent landed immigrant and a resident of British Columbia
  • Has a valid BC Care Card
How to apply

Submit an application using the established SOFI-A fee guide.  

Treatment plans will often involve: prosthodontic component for this phase of treatment. Applications must include clinical photographs, study models, periodontal charting and x-rays with your submission (refer to checklist).

NOTE: Treatment plans can only be submitted by certified specialists.

SOFI committee

The committee will review each case and determine who will receive treatment based on a set list of clinical criteria. The SOFI committee meets approximately every 3 months to review new applications. Final decision letters will be sent to providers/patient approximately 4-6 weeks following committee meeting.
 
Upon completion of the approved treatment plan, the dental specialist(s) submit invoices for payment.

Contact information

Severe Oligodontia Funding Initiative-Adolescent (SOFI-A)
Dental Department, BC Children’s Hospital
4480 Oak St., Vancouver BC V6H 3V4  
Phone: 604-875-2114

The Community Dental Partners Program provides funding to help pay the cost of facility anesthetic fees for children whose parents or guardians receive BC MSP premium assistance.


Since its inception in 2003, the program has provided anesthetic facility fee coverage for more than 11,426 patients province-wide, permitting timely and convenient access to restorative dentistry services under anesthesia. BC Children’s Hospital administers this program on behalf of PHSA, and continues to work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the BC Dental Association, Regional Dental Hygienists, and private anesthetic facility owners and operators.


If you have any questions about this initiative, please contact us at communitydentalprog@cw.bc.ca.


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