Provincial Dental Care Program

Notice:  As a result of the Canada Post strike, there will be a delay in receiving Provincial Dental Care Program (PDCP) eligibility cards and letters. Applicants and participating oral provider offices can call or email Dental Public Health to determine PDCP eligibility.

If you or your family earn a low income, you may be eligible to receive subsidized basic dental treatment services under the Provincial Dental Care Program.

To qualify, you and the dependent members of your family must:

  • be residents of Prince Edward Island;
  • have an active PEI Health Card;
  • meet the income eligibility criteria, or be in receipt of financial assistance from the Department of Social Development and Housing;
  • submit an application 
You must reapply for the Provincial Dental Care Program each year. Eligibility Cards expire annually on June 30. 

What are the eligibility criteria for Provincial Dental Care Program?

The level of coverage depends on your:
1.    Net family income (Line 23600 on your income tax return for the preceding tax year); and
2.    Family size (number of people in your family – applicant, spouse, and dependents) as filed with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Percent coverage* provided by the Provincial Dental Program
Family Size 100%

80%

60% 40% 20%
1 Person $22,014 $24,215 $26,417 $28,618 $30,820
2 Persons $31,132 $34,245 $37,358 $40,472 $43,585
3 Persons $38,129 $41,942 $45,755 $49,568 $53,381
4 Persons $44,027 $48,430 $52,832 $57,235 $61,638
5 Persons or more $49,224 $54,146 $59,069 $63,991 $68,914

 

* You may have to pay the laboratory fees for eligible appliances or dentures.

Families who have dental insurance must use their dental insurance coverage first. Health PEI is the payer-of-last resort.

You and other members of your family who qualify will each be issued a card by Health PEI, Dental Public Health Programs specifying the percentage of coverage you each qualify for. You are required to show this card at every dental appointment. 

How do I apply to the Provincial Dental Care Program? 

1. Complete the Provincial Dental Care Program Application Form

2. Print and sign it.  

Note:  Health PEI can only process a completed form with an original signature in ink – copy/fax is not acceptable.

3. Return the signed form to: 

Dental Health Services 
PO Box 2000
152 St. Peter’s Rd. 
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8

You can also request an application

In-person: 

Charlottetown                            
Four Neighborhood Centre                    
152 St. Peter’s Road, 2nd Floor                 
Charlottetown, PE C1A 5P8 

Summerside
Public Health Clinic
205 Linden Avenue
Summerside, PE   C1N 2K4 

By phone:

Telephone: 902-368-5460 or 1-866-368-5460 (toll-free)

What will my Provincial Dental Care Program card look like?

Cards will have your first and last name as they appear on your health card.

Provincial Dental Card Program Card Sample

When will I be eligible for dental services?

It may take three to four weeks for you to receive your eligibility card.  Dental appointments should only be scheduled after you have received your card and been notified of your eligibility and coverage details.  

Your card will be mailed to the address associated with your PEI Health Card. To avoid delays in receiving your card please ensure your address is updated with Medicare (PEI Health Card).  To update your mailing address with Medicare please call 1-800-321-5492.

Should you require dental services prior to receiving your card, notify your dental office that you have applied for the program and contact the Provincial Dental Care Program office to determine if your application has been processed.

The Provincial Dental Care Program will not reimburse you for services received before your eligibility has been determined.

If you have applied and are not eligible based on income thresholds you will be notified by mail.

I have received my Provincial Dental Care Program eligibility card, now what? 

Now that you have your card, you can call the dental office of your choosing, inquire if they are participating in the Provincial Dental Care Program and if so, make an appointment. 

All Provincial Dental Care Program eligible services have established fees, however, in some cases there will be laboratory fees associated with your treatment. Please discuss with your dentist at time of your appointment. Our offices are unable to give you this information as it would be specific to your treatment needs. 

Where can I and my family receive services?

Individuals who qualify for the Provincial Dental Care Program may receive covered dental benefits from either:

Health PEI Dental Public Health Clinics at:

Charlottetown    
Four Neighborhood Clinic
152 St Peter’s Road, 2nd Floor  
Charlottetown, C1A 5P8 

Sherwood Business Centre
161 St. Peter’s Road  
Charlottetown, C1A 5P6  

Summerside        
Public Health Clinic
205 Linden Avenue  
Summerside, PE   C1N 2K4 

OR

Private dental offices on Prince Edward Island. View the Dental Association of Prince Edward Island directory of PEI dentists.

What services are covered?

The Provincial Dental Care Program covers the following dental services for eligible persons.

Dental Benefits Frequency and/or Limitation
Examination and Diagnosis  
  • Dental examination
  • Once a year
  • Emergency dental examination and virtual care
  • As required
  • Radiographs
  • A maximum limitation applies
Preventative Services  
  • Polishing
  • One unit per year
  • Scaling
  • Three units per year
  • Pit and fissure sealant
  • Limited to children under the age of 18 years
  • Fluoride treatment
  • Age limitation applies, limited to once a year for participants under 18 or above 54 years of age
Appliances, mouth guard/TMJ  
  • Protective mouth guard
  • Once a year, you may have to pay the lab fees
  • TMJ appliance
  • Once every two years, you may have to pay the lab fees
  • Repair of appliance
  • As required
Restoration (Fillings)/Endodontics  
  • Fillings (dental restorations)
  • One restoration per tooth surface per year
  • Root canal treatment
  • Limits apply (permanent teeth numbered 3 to 3)
Oral Surgery  
  • Dental extraction
  • As required
  • Contouring of oral tissues (alveoloplasty) with or without dental extraction)
  • As required
Prosthetics  
  • New dentures
  • Once every 10 years, you may have to pay the lab fees, limits apply
  • Denture repairs
  • As required, you may have to pay the lab fees
Adjunctive Services  
  • Emergency treatment of dental pain, minor procedure
  • As required
  • Referral to hospital for dental care
  • A maximum limitation applies
  • Nitrous oxide sedation (in the dental office)
  • A maximum limitation applies
  • In-clinic laboratory procedures
  • As required, you may have to pay the lab fees

I am receiving financial assistance from the Department of Social Development and Housing which covered dental, do I need to apply to the Provincial Dental Care Program? 

Yes. The Provincial Dental Care Program replaced the dental benefits that were previously provided through Social Developmental and Housing in 2021. You must apply for the Provincial Dental Care Program separately. 

How can I contact the Provincial Dental Care Program?

You can reach Dental Health Services by: 

Telephone: 902-368-5460 or 1-866-368-5460 (toll-free)
Email: dentalfax@gov.pe.ca

Mail: 
PO Box 2000
152 St. Peter’s Rd. 
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
 

Published date: 
November 21, 2024
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General Inquiries

Health PEI
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE   C1A 7N8

Phone: 902-368-6130
Fax: 902-368-6136

healthpei@gov.pe.ca

Your Health Privacy

Media Inquiries
Phone: 902-368-6135

Health PEI Board of Directors

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department.

If you are unsure what to do about a health issue or if you need health information, call 8-1-1.

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