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Dental Coverage for Seniors in Ontario

ontario seniors dental care program

*Please note that Seasons Retirement does not have any afflation with this program. Please call 416-916-0204 or visit the government of Ontario website for enquiries or more details.

Post-retirement represents a wonderful period for older adults, where they’re free to lead wholesome, fun-filled lives. They can decide to partake in various activities and pursuits that may have been left for later in life – travelling the world, joining a dance class, learning a new language, etc. But to do so comfortably, it’s important to prioritize their overall wellness and health support.

Older adults can pursue their passion without health problems when their body is in good condition. Specifically, proper oral hygiene is essential as it helps strengthen the immune system and keeps the body fit enough to control diseases and keep infections at bay.

Aware of the benefits of maintaining good oral health, the government of Ontario created the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program to provide free or subsidized dental care services to older persons in the province.

At Seasons Retirement, we encourage our residents to stay healthy by engaging in the best dental care practices. In this piece, we’ll be discussing the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program and the numerous dental services it covers.

As we advance, you will learn about the program’s eligibility requirements and how your older loved one can apply for it.

Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program

The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) is a new government-funded program that provides free, routine dental care services to older adults in the province. To qualify as an older adult under this program, an individual must be at least 65 years.

Furthermore, the OSDCP is specifically for older persons who meet its low-income requirements and do not already receive dental care benefits from a private insurance company or another government-funded program.

The dental coverage for seniors in Ontario applies to various dental services. Below are some of the dental procedures covered by the Ontario Senior Dental Care Program:

  • Routine check-ups – scaling, fluoride treatment, and polishing
  • Repairing broken teeth and cavities
  • X-ray scans and examinations
  • Oral surgery – removing dental abscess or abnormal tissue, and tooth extraction
  • Anesthesia
  • Endodontic procedures – infection and pain treatment
  • Periodontal procedures – caring for gum conditions and diseases
  • Denture – dental prosthetics and prosthodontics procedures are partly covered by the program.

After successfully applying for the OSDCP, your older relatives will have a maximum coverage period of one year. Regardless of when they enroll, their eligibility for the dental care program ends on the 31st of July every year.

Eligibility Criteria for Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program

Like other government-funded benefit programs, not every older adult in Ontario is eligible for the OSDCP. Patients must meet specific requirements for one to qualify to enjoy this benefit plan, and these criteria include:

  • The older adult must be at least 65 years old.
  • They must be a resident of Ontario.
  • They must have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
  • They must fulfill the income requirements:
    • A total yearly income of no more than $22,200 for singles.
    • A combined annual income of $37,100 or less for couples.
  • They must not be a recipient of another form of dental benefits, such as private insurance or dental coverage from other government-funded programs like Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, or Non-Insured Health Benefits.

The benefits administrator will confirm each candidate’s income through their Social Insurance Number. The SIN will be used to verify the annual income of the applicants via their tax returns.

How To Apply for Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program

Now, we will go over the process of applying for dental benefits for seniors in Ontario. Putting in an application for the OSDCP can be done on the internet or by mail.

Below are the steps on how to register for the program online:

  1. Go to the program’s website and complete the application form.
  2. Print the consent form and fill it with the relevant details.
  3. Mail the filled consent form to the address below within 30 days.

Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program,

Station P, P.O. BOX 159,

Toronto, Ontario.

M5S 2S7

However, before your older loved one begins their application online, ensure that they have:

  • Their correct date of birth
  • A correct Ontario address
  • Their Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Temporary Taxation Number (TTN)
  • Filed their taxes for the previous year

Here are the steps to apply for the OSCDP by mail:

  1. Download and print the application form online from the Central Forms Repository or pick it up in person at a local public health unit.
  2. Fill in the relevant information and complete the application form.
  3. Send the completed application form to the postal address mentioned earlier.

It is worth noting that if your loved one and their spouse or common-law partner register for the program, they will need to tender two separate applications.

Can Your Loved One Apply for Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program Without a SIN?

Remember, having a Social Insurance Number is a criterion for eligibility for the OSDCP. However, without a SIN or failure to file their tax return for the previous year, your older relative can still apply for this dental care program through a guarantor.

A guarantor is someone, who is a Canadian citizen and 18 years or older, that can confirm the identity, age, and residency of your parents and grandparents applying for the OSCDP.

Each household needs only one guarantor. So, if more than one older adult from the same home is registering without a SIN, they can use the same guarantor.

That being said, a guarantor must be a respectable community member with a good relationship with at least one regulatory body in the province. Below is a list of some credible guarantors:

  • Doctor
  • Nurse
  • Dentist
  • Professor
  • Optometrist
  • Pharmacist
  • Psychologist
  • Chiropractor
  • Engineer
  • Mayor
  • Judge
  • Lawyer

After your older loved one’s application has been approved, they will receive a dental card that must be presented to their dental service provider on each visit.

Takeaway

Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program is an excellent health benefit for older adults that can provide your parents and grandparents access to regular, cost-effective dental services in Ontario.

Remember that if your loved one is looking to move into a retirement home in Ontario, Seasons Retirement Communities offers comfortable homes in a serene environment to older adults, with staff and employees that can help them obtain more information on benefits available to them in their retirement.

Discover Life at Seasons. Book a Personal Visit Today.