Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program

The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program is experiencing a high demand for services. There is currently a long waitlist for eligible seniors to access dental care. Eligible seniors and/or caregivers can call 226-807-0750 to be placed on the waitlist for routine dental care.

The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP), a new publicly-funded dental care program for seniors, is now being offered in Waterloo Region.

Who is eligible? 

Seniors may be eligible if they:

  • Are 65 years or older
  • Are a resident of Ontario
  • Have an annual net income of $25,000 or less for a single person, or a combined annual net income of $41,500 or less for a couple
  • Have no access to any other form of dental benefits including private insurance or through government programs such as Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works (OW), or the Non-Insured Health Benefit (NIHB)
What services are covered? 
  • Check-ups including scaling, fluoride and polishing
  • Repairing broken teeth and cavities
  • X-rays
  • Removing teeth or abnormal tissue (oral surgery)
  • Anaesthesia
  • Treating infection and pain (endodontic services)
  • Treating gum conditions and diseases (periodontal services)
  • Dental prosthetics (prosthodontic services) including dentures, will be partially covered
How can a senior get help if they do not meet the OSDCP eligibility criteria?

Public Health continues to advocate for equitable access to oral health care for all. If a senior does not meet the OSDCP eligibility criteria they may be able to access discretionary benefits and can call 519-883-2100 (select option 3) for more information. A senior may also call dental offices in their area to see if they offer payment plans or reduced fees for those without insurance. If a senior is in pain, they should go to their family physician, walk-in clinic or nearest emergency room.

How does a senior apply? What if a senior needs help with the application?

Seniors can apply to the OSDCP online or through mail:

Online:

  1. Visit www.ontario.ca/seniorsdental
  2. Complete the online application form
  3. Print and sign the consent form
  4. Mail the signed consent form within 30 days to:

Ministry of Health
Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program
Station P. P.O. Box 159
Toronto, ON M5S 2S7

Mail:

  1. Get an application form. Visit www.ontario.ca/seniorsdental to download the form and print it. Or, pick up an application form at the nearest Community Health Centre or Public Health Dental Clinic listed below
  2. Complete and sign the application
  3. Mail the application to:

Ministry of Health
Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program
Station P. P.O. Box 159
Toronto, ON M5S 2S7

Applications will be assessed by the OSDCP Program Administrator (Accerta).

Seniors may call the OSDCP’s bilingual (English/French) contact centre if they need help completing the application.

Call: 416-916-0204

Toll-Free: 1-833-207-4435

TTY: 1-800-855-0511

Seniors may also get assistance completing the application form by making an appointment at their nearest Community Health Centre or Public Health Dental Clinic listed below. Seniors will need to bring:

  • A piece of ID
  • Their Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Temporary Taxation number
  • If senior has a spouse (married or common-law), their spouse must also include their information on the form, including SIN or Temporary Taxation number, and provide their signature for consent, regardless of their age
Place/Address Phone Number for Application Support
Langs Community Health Centre

1145 Concession Rd, Cambridge, ON N3H 4L5

519-653-1470, press 7

Community Healthcaring Kitchener-Waterloo
44 Francis St S., Kitchener, ON N2G 2A2

519-653-1470, press 3

Woolwich Community Health Centre

10 Parkside Dr, St. Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0

519-664-3794 ext. 223
Region of Waterloo Public Health – Waterloo Clinic

99 Regina St S., Waterloo, ON N2J 4V3

519-575-4400 ext. 5010

What if a senior does not have a SIN and/or did not file taxes in the recent years?

If a senior or his/her spouse does not have a SIN and/or did not file their tax return(s), they will need a Guarantor to confirm they meet the eligibility requirements of the OSDCP. The Guarantor Form (5126-20E) is available at www.ontario.ca/seniorsdental. This form must be printed, filled out and mailed to the OSDCP, or a hard copy form may be picked up at the nearest Community Health Centre or Public Health Dental Clinic listed above.

A Guarantor must be a person that:

  • Is a Canadian Citizen and 18 years of age or older
  • Can confirm the identity of the applicant and if applicable, their spouse/common law partner and the identity, age and Ontario residency of the client(s)
  • Is a member of a regulated profession (e.g. dentist, teacher, nurse, doctor, lawyer) or other specified profession (e.g. mayor, professor). Please visit www.ontario.ca/seniorsdental for a list of acceptable guarantors

Completed Guarantor Forms can be mailed to:

Ministry of Health
Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program
Station P. P.O. Box 159
Toronto, ON M5S 2S7

What if an applicant's spouse is eligible and wishes to apply for the OSDCP?
Seniors need to apply for the program on an individual basis. If they have a spouse (married or common law partner) who would also like to apply for the OSDCP, they must complete their own application form.
How will a senior's financial eligibility be determined?
Eligibility for the OSDCP will be based on a senior’s net income (line 236 from your income tax form). Net income measures the sum of all income potentially subject to tax, including but not limited to employment income, investment income, pension income (including CPP), and government social support payments (e.g. OAS, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Social Assistance) less non-discretionary expenses associated with earning income (e.g. union dues, professional fees) and pension contributions (e.g. RRSP contributions or contributions to a Registered Pension Plan).
How long will the enrollment process take?

The OSDCP Program Administrator (Accerta) is responsible for reviewing applications and determining eligibility. Questions regarding application turnaround time should be directed to the OSDCP’s bilingual (English/French) contact centre.

Call: 416-916-0204

Toll-Free: 1-833-207-4435

TTY: 1-800-855-0511

Who does a senior contact to book an appointment once they've been approved?

Once the application has been approved, a welcome package and dental card will be mailed to the applicant.

To receive OSDCP services at one of the community health centres, the eligible senior must call the Region’s central intake phone number 226-807-0750. General inquires may be sent to osdcp@langs.org

The dental card must be presented at the time of appointment. 

How are applications renewed?

The OSDCP benefit year runs from August 1 to July 31. OSDCP clients must reapply if they:

  • Applied through the guarantor process, or
  • Did not file taxes for the most recent tax year that eligibility is being determined

Before the end of each benefit year, all other clients will be automatically re-assessed for eligibility by the OSDCP Program Administrator.

Clients will be notified by mail:

  • If they are eligible to keep participating in the program; they will receive a new dental card
  • If they need to re-apply and how to re-apply to the program, if required
Where to get more information?

For more information about the OSDCP visit ontario.ca/SeniorsDental or call the OSDCP's contact centre.

Call: 416-916-0204

Toll Free: 1-833-207-4435

TTY: 1-800-855-0511

 

 

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