Eastside Dental Clinic

Dental Clinic

Accessible Dental Care for Our Community

For more than 15 years, the Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society (VAHS) Eastside Dental Clinic has provided accessible, affordable, and compassionate dental care to individuals and families throughout the Lower Mainland.

As a not-for-profit dental clinic, we are committed to reducing barriers to oral healthcare, particularly for individuals with limited dental coverage or financial resources.

Our dedicated team of dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative staff works together to provide preventative, restorative, emergency, and specialized dental services in a welcoming and respectful environment.

We believe everyone deserves access to quality dental care and strive to support the oral health and well-being of the communities we serve.

Clinic Location & Operating Hours

VAHS Eastside Dental Clinic
455 East Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC

Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Weekends & Statutory Holidays: Closed

Appointments are required. Walk-ins are not accepted.

Please contact our office to schedule an appointment. Patient intake is subject to availability and may be temporarily paused once the clinic reaches its maximum capacity.

Our Dental Services

Eastside Dental Clinic offers a comprehensive range of dental services to support preventative care, oral health maintenance, and restorative treatment.

Examinations & Preventative Care

New patient dental examinations
Emergency examinations for existing patients only
Oral cancer screenings
Dental X-rays, including panoramic imaging
Dental CT scans
Dental cleanings and oral hygiene education
Dental sealants
Prescriptions, when clinically appropriate

Individuals who are not currently registered as patients must complete a new patient examination before receiving treatment.

Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry

White (composite) dental fillings
Teeth whitening
Inlays and onlays
Dental crowns and bridges
Veneers
Simple and complex root canal treatments
Simple and surgical tooth extractions

Additional Dental Services

Custom nightguards and sports guards
Clear aligner orthodontic treatment (SureSmile)
Nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas)
Oral sedation, including prescribed medications
IV sedation for select cases, subject to clinical assessment

Advanced SOLEA Laser Dentistry

Eastside Dental Clinic is proud to be the first not-for-profit dental clinic in British Columbia to offer SOLEA laser dentistry.

SOLEA is an advanced dental laser technology that allows certain procedures to be performed with greater comfort and precision, often reducing the need for needles, anesthesia, and traditional dental instruments.

Depending on the procedure and individual patient's needs, SOLEA laser dentistry may be used for:

Needle-free dental fillings
Crown lengthening
Gum and tissue recontouring
Hard and soft tissue procedures

Our dental team will assess whether laser treatment is appropriate for each patient.

Services Not Currently Offered

Please be advised that our clinic does not provide:

Metal (amalgam) fillings
Full sedation or general anesthesia
Traditional orthodontic braces
Major periodontal (gum) surgeries
Full or partial dentures

Complex Dental Treatments

Some dental procedures require additional clinical assessment and consideration before treatment can be scheduled.

Complex extractions, multiple or complicated root canals, retreatments, and chronic infections involving the roots of teeth are assessed individually.

Treatment recommendations are based on clinical needs, available resources, and clinic capacity.

Patient Eligibility & Intake

Everyone is welcome at Eastside Dental Clinic.

We provide dental services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients, including British Columbia residents, individuals from other provinces, international students, and visitors.

Our goal is to make dental care accessible to as many individuals as possible, particularly those who may experience financial or other barriers to treatment.

Required Identification & Coverage Information

Patients must provide their care card and applicable dental coverage information when booking or attending an appointment.

Please have the following available:

BC Services Card or applicable provincial health card
Status number, if applicable
Dental insurance documents or coverage information
Government dental benefit documentation, if applicable
Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) information, if applicable
Healthy Kids Program information, if applicable

Patients without dental coverage may be eligible for services under our clinic's internal fee guide, which offers reduced rates compared to standard private dental fees.

Patient Care & Clinic Capacity

All patients are assessed according to their dental needs, available appointments, clinic resources, and budget limitations.

The clinic may prioritize treatments based on clinical urgency and available capacity. We are committed to providing fair and equitable access to services without preferential treatment.

VAHS maintains a zero-tolerance policy for threatening, abusive, discriminatory, or inappropriate behaviour toward staff, volunteers, and other patients.

The clinic reserves the right to decline or discontinue non-emergency services when necessary, in accordance with applicable professional and regulatory obligations.

Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

Eastside Dental Clinic accepts patients covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).

The CDCP is a federal program designed to help eligible Canadian residents access dental care.

Patients are responsible for:

Confirming their eligibility and enrolling in the program
Providing their CDCP coverage information
Understanding their coverage percentage and eligible services
Paying any applicable costs not covered by the program

Please be aware that not all dental treatments are fully covered, and additional patient charges may apply.

For more information about eligibility, coverage, and applications, visit:

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html

Booking an Appointment

All new patients must complete an initial dental examination before receiving treatment.

New patient examination fees may be up to $215 CAD, including applicable examinations, X-rays, and panoramic imaging.

Following the examination, our dental team will discuss recommended treatments and provide an estimate of any additional costs.

Please note that treatment estimates cannot be provided over the phone or by email without an appropriate clinical assessment.

How to Book

To request an appointment, please contact our dental office by phone or email and provide:

Full legal name
Care card number
Status number, if applicable
Dental insurance or coverage information
Contact phone number
Email address
Preferred method of communication

Appointment availability is subject to clinic capacity.

Appointment Confirmation

Our clinic uses an automated appointment confirmation system.

All patients are required to confirm their appointments at least 48 hours before their scheduled appointment time.

Appointments may be confirmed by phone, email, or text message.

Appointments that are not confirmed within the required timeframe may be cancelled and offered to another patient.

Appointment Cancellations & No-Shows

We understand that unexpected circumstances can arise. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please notify our office as early as possible.

A minimum of 48 business hours' notice is required for all appointment cancellations or rescheduling requests.

Business hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding weekends and statutory holidays.

Late Cancellation & No-Show Fees

Late cancellations and missed appointments are subject to an administrative fee of $60 CAD per hour of booked appointment time.

For example:

1-hour appointment: $60
2-hour appointment: $120
3-hour appointment: $180

The applicable fee may be charged at the time of cancellation or applied to the patient's next appointment.

Repeated Missed Appointments

Patients who miss two consecutive appointments without providing the required notice may have their future booking privileges reviewed.

Depending on the circumstances, the clinic may discontinue non-emergency services or remove the patient from its waiting list.

Any formal patient dismissal will be communicated in writing by mail or email and handled in accordance with applicable professional and regulatory guidelines.

Fees & Payment Information

As a not-for-profit dental clinic, Eastside Dental Clinic is committed to keeping dental care as affordable and accessible as possible.

Our internal fee guide provides reduced rates for eligible patients. However, patients remain responsible for any applicable fees or treatment costs not covered by their dental benefits or government programs.

Accepted Payment Methods

Debit and Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express
Cash
Cheque: Payable to Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society, with "Dental Clinic Payment" in the memo
Online Payments: Include "Dental Clinic Payment" in the payment description and retain the payment confirmation as proof of payment

A $0.25 CAD processing fee applies to each point-of-sale machine transaction.

Treatment Deposits

Certain dental treatments may require a 50% deposit before an appointment can be confirmed.

Patients will be advised of any deposit requirements in advance.

Patients with Government Dental Coverage

Patients receiving dental benefits through government-funded programs must provide valid identification and coverage information before treatment.

Our clinic bills applicable government programs for eligible services provided.

Patients are responsible for understanding their coverage and paying any portion of treatment costs not covered by their benefit program, including services provided under special financial arrangements.

All treatments remain subject to clinical assessment, available funding, and clinic capacity.

For questions regarding treatment costs, insurance coverage, or payment arrangements, please contact our front desk.

Support Our Work

As a not-for-profit dental clinic, our work is made possible through the dedication of our team and the generosity of our donors, partners, and community supporters.

Your contributions help us continue providing essential oral healthcare to individuals and families who may otherwise face barriers to accessing dental treatment.

Thank you for supporting accessible dental care and healthier communities.