What this program is
The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) is a government-funded dental care program administered by the Ontario Ministry of Health. It provides free routine dental services for low-income seniors aged 65 and over.
What is covered
According to the official page, coverage includes:
- check-ups, including scaling, fluoride and polishing
- repairing broken teeth and cavities
- x-rays
- removing teeth or abnormal tissue (oral surgery)
- anesthesia
- treating infection and pain (endodontic services)
- treating gum conditions and diseases (periodontal services)
Certain dental procedures have limits based on scientific and clinical criteria. Your OSDCP dental provider can provide more information based on your situation.
Dental prosthetics (prosthodontic services), including dentures, are partially covered. The official page states that you should speak to your local public health unit for more information.
Coverage period
Once enrolled, coverage is for up to one year. Coverage ends on July 31 every year, no matter when you enroll. The official page has a separate section on renewing your yearly coverage.
Eligibility
According to the official page, you can apply if you:
- are 65 years of age or older
- are a resident of Ontario
- meet the income requirements:
- an annual net income of $25,480 or less for a single senior
- a combined annual net income of $42,290 or less for a couple
- have no other form of dental benefits, apart from the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), including private insurance or dental coverage under another government program such as:
- Ontario Works
- Ontario Disability Support Program
- Non-Insured Health Benefits
The official page states that you may qualify for the CDCP and may still be eligible for the OSDCP provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
Income is verified using your Social Insurance Number (SIN), which you provide when you apply. The SIN is used to verify your annual net income from your tax return. The official page has a separate section on how to apply if you don't have a SIN.
How to apply
The official page offers online and mail application. If you and your spouse or common-law partner are applying, you must submit two separate applications.
Before starting the online application, you need:
- your date of birth
- a valid Ontario address
- your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Temporary Taxation Number (TTN)
- to have filed your taxes last year
If you do not have a SIN or did not file taxes in the previous year, you must complete the application through the guarantor form.
Apply online has two ways:
- Complete the online application and provide the applicable eSignature(s).
- Complete the online application and print, fill out and mail in the consent form. The completed consent form should be mailed within 30 days to: Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program, Station P, P.O. Box 159, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2S7
Apply by mail:
- Download and print the application form, or get one in person from your local public health unit.
- Fill out and complete the application form.
- Mail it to: Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program, Station P, P.O. Box 159, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2S7
If you don't have a SIN or did not file taxes
If you don't have a SIN or didn't file your taxes last year, a guarantor must help you apply by mail. A guarantor confirms the identity, age and residency of the individual or couple applying. The guarantor must be a Canadian citizen at least 18 years of age. If more than one person in your household is applying, you only need one guarantor per household.
The official list of eligible guarantors includes: chiropractor, midwife, nurse, optometrist, pharmacist, doctor (physician or surgeon), psychologist, veterinarian, lawyer, professional accountant, professional engineer, social worker or social service worker, teacher or vice-principal/principal in a primary or secondary school, dietitian, dentist or dental hygienist, judge or Justice of the Peace, municipal/provincial/First Nations police officer or constable, RCMP officer or constable, mayor, member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, minister of religion authorized under provincial law to perform marriages, municipal clerk or treasurer, notary public, professor in a university or senior administrator in a community college, signing officer of a bank, Chief (or culturally relevant leadership equivalent) of a First Nation community, and Executive Director (or leadership equivalent) of an Indigenous organization.
After you apply
After you submit your application, you will be contacted by phone and/or mail if there are any issues or if your application is incomplete.
If approved, you will receive a welcome package and dental card in the mail. The card expires on July 31. The welcome package tells you how to access services, where to book an appointment, how to book an appointment, and what you need to bring to each appointment.
You must present your card to your dental provider at each visit to receive services under the program.
Where to get dental services
The official page states that for information about where to access services and what services are available near you, contact your local public health unit. If accepted into the program, you can access dental services through:
- Public Health Units
- partner Community Health Centres
- partner Aboriginal Health Access Centres
The official page states that access to the full range of dental services will vary across the province.
Renew your yearly coverage
Every year, eligibility is automatically verified for most clients to confirm enrolment for the next benefit period. You will be notified by mail if you are eligible to keep participating, or about how to re-apply if required.
You must reapply if:
- you applied using a guarantor
- you do not file taxes for the most recent tax years that your eligibility is being determined
Change your account information
If you are enrolled and want to change your account information, complete and submit a change of information form and mail it to: Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program, Station P, P.O. Box 159, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2S7
Contact
For questions or to replace your dental card, contact the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program:
- Tel: 416-916-0204
- Toll-free: 1-833-207-4435
- Toll-free TTY: 1-800-855-0511
Your local public health unit can also help you apply.
The official page states that the OSDCP contacts clients by phone or mail and does not send invoices. If you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from the OSDCP, do not open attachments or click on links, and contact the program using the above information to determine if the message is authentic.
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