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What is the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program?
The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) offers routine dental services for eligible seniors aged 65 and over.
You may qualify for the OSDCP if you are a single senior earning less than $22,200 per year or a couple earning a combined income of $37,100 or less without other dental benefits.
If you are getting Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), you will have dental coverage. If you have the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), you can receive emergency dental care.
How do I apply?
You can apply to the program online or by mail.
If you are applying for yourself or on behalf of someone else, you will need the following information:
- Applicant’s date of birth
- A valid Ontario address
- Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Temporary Taxation Number (TTN) of the applicant
You will need to have filed your taxes last year in order to meet the eligibility requirements of the OSDCP. If you do not have a SIN or did not file taxes in the previous year, you must complete the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program application through the guarantor form.
If your application is approved, you will receive a welcome package and dental card in the mail that will expire on July 31st every year, no matter when you enroll. Every year, you will be automatically verified and enrolled for the next benefit period.
You will be notified by mail if you are eligible to keep participating in the program with a new card, or about how to re-apply to the program if you were found not eligible.
Can I go to my own dentist?
Currently, this service is only offered through community health centres, public health units and Aboriginal Health Access Centres across Ontario. You can contact your local Public Health Unit or your municipality to find out where the closest location is and to set up an appointment. Some regions have long waitlists so it’s important to book your appointments regularly.
You may still need to visit your own dentist for more specific services that are not covered by the OSDCP. Certain procedures have limits based on clinical criteria. You can find more information by talking directly with your OSDCP dental provider.
Prosthodontic services, including dentures and implants, will be partially covered at some larger locations. Please speak to your local Public Health Unit for more information.
What other dental options do I have?
Some community dental programs have dental services that are free or less expensive than regular dentists.
- Community Health Organizations
- Colleges and Universities
- Public Health Programs
Check with local post-secondary institutions or your municipality for dental clinic programs.
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Last updated:
February 24, 2023
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