The Government of Yukon (YG) has committed to provide dental and other extended health benefits to uninsured Yukoners as per the 2021 Confidence and Supply Agreement (CASA) and the Putting People First report. The new dental program is a policy-based program for uninsured, low-income individuals. The public dental plan focuses on the relief of pain and infection, prevention of disease, and restoration of chewing and/or social function. YG will begin to close the gaps experienced by low-income Yukoners who do not have access to extended benefits by implementing these comprehensive extended health benefits. The new publicly funded dental program will use a payer-of-last resort model and be income-tested.

YG has chosen Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) as the vendor to help implement this new Dental Program. Pacific Blue Cross is BC’s only Health Benefits Society and British Columbia’s number one health benefits provider. Based in Burnaby, BC, and in partnership with CUPE 1816, the union representing roughly three-quarters of its 750-person local workforce, the not-for-profit organization provides health, dental, life, disability and travel coverage for 1 in 3 British Columbians through group benefits and individual plans. As part of its mission to improve health and wellbeing for British Columbians, Pacific Blue Cross proactively supports charitable organizations across the province working to improve health outcomes. Pacific Blue Cross now looks forward to working with Yukoners to improve health and wellbeing.