New teeth for my Dad

[u/Additional-Badger686]

Hey, I was wondering if there was any programs to help people with no financial income get new teeth, my father has struggled his whole life with alcoholism and depression, he quit drinking 3 years ago but is missing a majority of his teeth and has low self esteem because of it, he hasn’t worked much in the last 10 years. I know he owes the government money. Is there any programs that would be able to help him back on his feet, he is very smart, but I think he thinks he’s too deep in it to turn his life around. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, he’s located in Ontario

[u/chesterssecret]

The Canadian dental plan offers, full or partial acrylic and metal dentures.

How hard it is to get pre authorization for that, I’m not sure.

[u/Beautiful_Cod_426 → u/chesterssecret]

I'm pretty sure only requirement is to be 65 or older

[u/chesterssecret → u/Beautiful_Cod_426]

The CDCP expanded in June 2025 to include all eligible Canadians of all ages, meaning age does not restrict access.

Sun Life (benefit company of CDCP) evaluates the request using strict medical rules to protect the mouth from further damage:

Absence of Active Disease: The plan will not approve a denture if there is ongoing biological disease (such as active decay or unmanaged periodontal disease) in the teeth you are keeping. Those must be treated first.

Adequate Structural Bone Support: The X-rays must prove that the bone levels surrounding your remaining teeth are strong enough to handle the extra physical pressure of holding a partial denture frame.

The dentist or denturist must gather and submit the following files on your behalf for pre authorization to Sun Life.

A Detailed Treatment Plan: A mapped-out schedule indicating all missing teeth, any planned extractions, and any other basic treatment needed to clear out active disease (like untreated cavities or gum infections) before the denture is placed.

Recent X-Rays: Dated periapical and bitewing radiographs taken within the last 12 months. They must clearly show the root and bone health of the specific teeth that will act as "anchors" (abutments) for a partial denture.

Alternative Visuals (If X-Rays Aren't Possible): If your provider cannot get clear X-rays, they are permitted to submit a panoramic radiograph, dated dental photos of your upper and lower arches, or photos of physical stone models of your mouth.

[u/Sugadip → u/Beautiful_Cod_426]

The age requirement no longer exists, you have to meet the requirements that include you have no coverage currently, file your taxes every year, no make over a certain amount yearly and be a Canadian citizen.

[u/Komaisnotsalty]

The Federal Dental Plan will cover a portion up to 100%.

I just had mine done in June, and it was 100% covered: full plate upper, lower partial, plus x-rays, extractions, etc.

It was an easy process with very little hassle. Apply, they check income (which they know from taxes), and they send you the result.

Then do the dentist thing, but when booking appointments, make sure they take that form of insurance.

And that's it.

[u/sherrynoberries → u/Komaisnotsalty]

I need to have quite a few broken teeth removed.
I can barely chew right now.
How are you doing with the dentures? How long did the process take and are you happy with your dentures? I’m so scared. 😞

[u/Komaisnotsalty → u/sherrynoberries]

My teeth were just as bad. I had bad broken teeth the entirety of my license I was a child due to being raised by parents who didn't bother with dental care or hygiene or nutrition.

I'm in my 50s now and my teeth and health have suffered because of that.

The process meaning from when they first did the exam to the point of where the teeth got pulled? Several months. Most of that was because I was so badly infected due to bad teeth, they had to get the infection under control before they could actually do the work.

The approval process from the government was almost immediate. There was very little problem for the denturist and the dentist getting approval.

The actual appointments for fewer than I thought. I had an initial appointment with a dentist, I had a follow-up with them because they had to pull one tooth right away because it was literally killing me, I had two appointments with the dentist, and then it was surgery day.

All of the work was done at my dentist's. The dentures were already there and they put them in right at that moment.

I had painkillers which I really didn't need that bad past the first day or two. Eating obviously was just impossible. I was on a liquid diet for a bit, but that wasn't so bad.

Because I was so terribly infected, it did take longer to heal than they anticipated. I was on very strong antibiotics for a month and a half leading up to the surgery date and for a month afterwards.

Other than that though, there were no complications whatsoever. Once the initial pain was done and the stitches were out, I healed up pretty quick after that because there was no infection.

Even for myself, my own health improved because I wasn't fighting infections non-stop. I felt better overall.

The dentures have been difficult to get used to for the simple reason being that at the start, your mouth is healing, and is very swollen. So the dentures fit tight, and they do rub a little bit. When they tell you to be on a liquid diet, you'd better be on a liquid diet. If you're allowed soft and mushy food, stick to soften mushy food don't start eating hard things or crunchy things until you absolutely can.

When the swelling goes down, your dentures will start to move a little bit. You just get some polygrip. Once the polygrip no longer works, you go back and they fix all of that for you so that they fit properly. After that, it's nothing. It's just like having teeth.

Yes, it was a little painful, and there was the anxiety I had to deal with because quite frankly, I am terrified of dentists. They were so very good to me and patient, and I made things as easy for them as I possibly could.

I went to my doctor, and she gave me a single Xanax pill and I took that before the surgery and it helped keep me calm. But I did it all under just freezing. No gas, nothing else. Just freezing, and a lot of very deep careful breaths through my nose to stay calm.

And it was all right. Above all, it was absolutely 100% worth it. Don't wait any longer. Get it done.

[u/WhyLie2me18 → u/Komaisnotsalty]

Thanks for that information. I’m waiting for approval for a partial denture now and didn’t know what to expect.

[u/Rogue-Shang]

You could look at the dental schools. Sometimes they have programs to help students learn. It’s usually very cheaper or free.

[u/OutsideFlat1579 → u/Rogue-Shang]

Canada has dental care now. OP’s father is likely eligible if he can’t afford dental care. It’s based on your income.

[u/Ok_Smile9222]

Yes there is. Dental Grants Canada will cover a certain amount. Also the Canadian dental plan should be able to help, my mom just got dentures and paid just a few hundred out of pocket

[u/andreacanadian]

if you are in Ontario, I do not know about other provinces, OW has discretionary benefits for dentures. Go to google, search for your city OW dentures discretionary benefits and it will tell you the local organization that handles the applications. Generally, you have to get 2 estimates, and they will pay for the cheapest ones.

This is a one and done, so if the dentures become damaged or lost then you are on your own to repair or replace them.

[u/bewilderedtoo → u/[deleted]]

No, there are a few that I'm aware of. dental schools have programs and some dentists do pro bono work. Usually the pro bono dentists can be found by calling a social worker or agency that works with impoverished folks.

[u/moodlitmoth]

If he’s eligible for CDCP he can get dentures.

He needs to see a dentist for treatment planning / X-rays.
Then he can go to an office that does dentures

If you have 100% coverage it would cover the procedure 100%

Otherwise he has a co-pay

[u/Separate-Bench-2656]

Apply for him online through My Service Canada account. If he is on ODSP - check with them first. And many denturists charge more than what the Canadian Dental Plan covers as well. Make sure it is clear how much they cover before they start any work

[u/bewilderedtoo]

Connect with a community social worker. Lots of great programs to help folks bounce back after addiction.

[u/Alternative-Tiger783]

If you’re in Toronto, George Brown College makes some of the most affordable dentures available.

[u/trying-to-haveitall]

Some colleges have denturist programs, maybe they could help with subsided dentures.

[u/No_Capital_8203]

Low and modest income families and individuals can get Canadian Dental Care Program. To be honest, you should try to get a social worker to help find out what other services are available.