Home News Local News Covid delays opening of local dental clinic for low-income seniors

Dentist technician in coverall drilling woman tooth — Dental clinic during pandemic: Adobe Stock

Covid delays opening of local dental clinic for low-income seniors

November 19, 2020

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By: Michele Poirier

The pandemic has delayed the opening of a local dental clinic geared to low-income seniors until the fall of 2021.

The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) clinic is located at The Link in Sutton and will provide free routine dental services for low-income seniors.

OSDCP is available to all seniors who meet the eligibility criteria for the provincially funded program, said Rina Lamba, Acting Director of the Child and Family Health Division for York Region Public Health, in an email.

The program covers Ontario residents aged 65 years or older with an annual net income of $19,300 or less for a single senior, or a combined income of $32,300 or less for a couple, and who have no other form of dental benefits.

The coverage includes check-ups, repairing broken teeth and cavities, x-rays, oral surgery, anesthesia, treating infection and pain, treating gum conditions and diseases, and partial coverage for dentures.

While Covid has put a hold on the program, as the OSDCP clinics are not operating in the region, York is triaging seniors and referring them to other provincial clinics providing emergency care during the pandemic.

“If a Seniors Dental Care Program client from York Region requires emergency dental care, they can call the Senior Dental Care line, and they may be referred to another Public Health Unit which is currently providing emergency dental services,” Ms. Lamba said.

Although the Sutton OSDCP clinic will not open until 2021, seniors can still enrol in the program.

For more information or to apply, you can visit ontario.ca/seniorsdental or call York Region Public Health’s Seniors Dental Care line at 1-877-464-9675 ext.75809 or 905-895-4293 for deaf and hard of hearing seniors.