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Home Programs & Services Health The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP)

The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP)

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

If your questions are not answered below and/or you need assistance, please call 226-807-0750 or email osdcp@langs.org

Please note that this email address is for general inquiries only. 

Who is eligible?

Seniors may be eligible if they:

  • Are 65 or older
  • Are a resident of Ontario
  • Are a single senior with annual net income of $22,200 or less, or senior couples (one or both people aged 65 or older), with a combined annual net income of $37,100 or less; and
  • Have no access to any other form of dental benefits including private insurance or through government programs such as Ontario Disability Support Program (OSDCP), Ontario Works (OW), or the Non-Insured Health Benefits (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) 
  • Anesthesia  
  • 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 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.

Langs Community Health Centre: 519-653-1470 ext. 350

What happens if a senior is approved?

Once their application has been approved, a welcome package and dental card will be mailed to the applicant. to receive OSDCP services, the eligible senior must call Central Intake for more information or to be added to the waitlist. The dental card must be present at the time of the appointment.

Please have your ACCERTA # ready when you call.

Call 226-807-0750 or email osdcp@langs.org

Please note that this email address is for general inquiries only. 

Do not submit any personal information electronically.

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

If a senior or his/her spouse, if applicable, does not have a SIN and/or have not filed 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 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 seniors’ 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

How are applications renewed?

The OSDCP benefit year runs from August 1 to July 31st.

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 (and will receive a new dental card), or about how to re-apply to the program, if required.

Where do I go for more information?

For more information about the OSDCP visit www.ontario.ca/seniorsdental