Dental care for seniors without insurance is now available in Ontario through the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP). It offers free routine dental care for individuals 65 and over who meet income requirements.
Across the province, the program provides low-income seniors with various free dental services and other benefits in community health centres, public health units, and Aboriginal health access centres.
Learn about the essentials of the program, its coverage and cost, eligibility, how low-income seniors can apply for it, and other free dental services for seniors in Ontario.
Do Seniors Get Free Dental Care in Ontario?
Low-income seniors can receive free dental services in Ontario through the OSDCP. They must meet the eligibility and income requirements, submit their application form online or by mail, and wait to receive their welcome package and dental card.
The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program – An Overview
The free dental services for seniors in Ontario is a government-funded dental care program aimed at providing free, routine dental services for low-income seniors aged 65 or older in the province.
The program covers a range of dental services, from simple procedures, such as teeth cleaning, to treatment and surgery. It addresses the oral health needs of seniors in the province through accessible and affordable dental care.
Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program Coverage and Cost
The OSDCP coverage includes:
- Check-ups, examinations and assessments (including scaling, polishing and fluoride)
- Oral surgery services to treat abnormal tissue or remove teeth
- Repairing cavities and damaged teeth
- Anaesthesia
- Endodontic services (treatment of pain and infection)
- Periodontal services (treatment of gum diseases)
- Dental prosthetics (partial coverage only; there may be patient costs associated with denture treatment)
Seniors who are enrolled in the program have a coverage period of up to one year, which ends on July 31st of every year.
Most basic dental treatments that OSDCP offers are included in the coverage at no cost to eligible seniors. However, choosing services not covered under the program incurs costs that patients will be responsible for.
Health units may assist with some travel-related expenses and offer transportation for seniors to help them get to their appointments. Contact your local health for more information.
Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program Eligibility
Seniors aged 65 or over can apply for the program if they meet the following:
- A resident of Ontario
- Income requirements
- For a single senior, an annual net income of $22,200 or less
- For senior couples, a combined annual net income of $37,100 or less
- Have no dental benefits, such as private insurance or from government programs like Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), or the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
Seniors will have their eligibility automatically verified to confirm enrollment for the program for the next benefit year.
How to Apply for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program
Applying for the OSDCP requires you to provide or meet the following:
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Temporary Taxation Number (TTN)
- A valid Ontario address
- Your date of birth
- You must also have filed your taxes for the previous year
If you don’t have a valid SIN or haven’t filed your tax returns with the CRA for the most recent tax year, you must complete the OSDCP application through guarantor form.
A guarantor is an individual who can confirm the identity, age and residency of the person or couple applying for the OSDCP. The guarantor must be at least 18 years old and a Canadian citizen. A list of eligible guarantors is accessible here.
To apply for the OSDCP online:
- Fill out the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program application form. Complete all the required fields.
- Print out the completed application and consent form within 30 days to:
Ministry of Health, Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program, Station P, P.O. Box 159, Toronto, ON M5S 2S7.
To apply by mail:
- Download and print the application form or ask for a form at your local public health unit.
- Provide all the needed details and complete all the required fields.
- Mail the completed form to the Ministry of Health specified above.
If the OSDCP approves your application, you’ll receive a welcome package and a dental card, which will expire on July 31 of the current benefit year.
Other Free Dental Care for Seniors in Ontario
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is another program targeted at helping eligible Canadian residents access oral health care. To qualify for this program, applicants must meet the following:
- No access to dental insurance
- A Canadian resident for tax purposes
- Has an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000
- Have filed your tax return in the previous year
The program covers a range of oral services, including preventive, diagnostic, restorative, endodontic, prosthodontic, periodontal, and oral surgery services.
FAQs
What do you do if you can’t afford a dentist in Ontario?
Check if you’re eligible for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP). If you qualify, fill out the application form and send it to the office of the Ministry of Health in Toronto.
What is the income limit for the Canada dental benefit?
For the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), you must have an adjusted family net income lower than $90,000. For the ODSCP, it’s $22,200 or less for single seniors. Senior couples must have a combined annual net income of $37,100 or less.
When can seniors apply for the Canada dental benefit?
Seniors aged 65 to 69 can apply starting May 2024, while applications for seniors aged 70 and above are ongoing and have started in December 2023. To determine your application dates for the Canada dental benefit, answer the questions on the When you can apply page.
