Dental Health Services

Health PEI Dental Programs

The Government of PEI has consolidated all dental services that are not covered by the Health Act (Health Services Act R.S.P.E.I. 1988, Cap.H-2, Regulations – Schedules A & B) into the following four programs:   

1. Provincial Dental Program;
2. Cleft Palate Orthodontic Funding Program;
3. School Oral Health Preventative Program; and
4. Long-Term/Community Care Preventative Dental Program. 

1. Provincial Dental Care Program

The Health and Dental Services Cost Assistance Act R.S.P.E.I. 1988, Cap.H-1.21 established the Provincial Dental Care Program on January 1, 2021, as the payer-of-last-resort for Island families; including seniors’ families, who earn a low income. View the brochure [PDF | 338 KB]. Read the full release.

The Provincial Dental Care Program enables Islanders, including seniors, who earn a low income to receive subsidized basic dental treatment services. The level of subsidy provided by Health PEI depends on:

1. Net family income (Line 23600 on the Income Tax Return for the preceding tax year); and
2. Family size (number of people in the family – applicant, spouse, and dependents) as filed with Canada Revenue Agency.

Is my family eligible?

To be eligible to receive benefits from the Provincial Dental Care Program, you and dependant members of your family must:

• be residents of Prince Edward Island;
• have an active PEI Health Card;
• submit an application [PDF | 718 KB] to participate in the program;
• meet the income eligibility criteria, or be in receipt of financial assistance from the Department of Social Development and Housing.

How can I apply for my family?

You must complete, sign, and return the Provincial Dental Care Program Application Form [PDF | 718 KB]. Please note:  Health PEI can only process a completed form with an original signature in ink – copy/fax is not acceptable.

Request an application:

In-Person

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

Summerside
Public Health Clinic
205 Linden Avenue
Summerside, PE   C1N 2K4 (Get Directions)

By Phone  

Telephone:  1 (902) 368-5460    
Toll Free:     1 (866) 368-5460 

By Mail

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

Online 

Provincial Dental Care Program Application Form [PDF | 718 KB]

Is my family qualified?

The Provincial Dental Care Program subsidises the cost of dental treatment for Island families, including seniors’ families who meet the financial criteria. The level of coverage provided by the program is based on the family’s income and the number of persons in the family – applicant, spouse and dependents as filed with Canada Revenue Agency.

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

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

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  (Get Directions) 

Sherwood Business Centre
161 St. Peter’s Road  
Charlottetown, C1A 5P6  (Get Directions) 

Summerside        
Public Health Clinic
205 Linden Avenue  
Summerside, PE   C1N 2K4  (Get Directions)

OR

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

What services are covered?

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

2. Cleft Palate Orthodontic Funding Program

50% funding:  Annual family income is greater than the amount in Column B for the corresponding family size. 

75% funding:  Annual family income falls between the amounts in Column A and Column B for the corresponding family size. 

To find out more, call (902) 368-4917. You can download, complete and submit an Application for Orthodontic Treatment Funding for Cleft Palate [PDF | 107 KB]:

Mail    

Cleft Palate Orthodontic Funding Program
152 St. Peter’s Road
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8

Fax

(902) 368-4922

Email    

dentalfax@gov.pe.ca

3. School Oral Health Preventative Program

Dental Health provides preventative services to children, from birth until they are 17 years of age. Children can receive preventative services in schools across the province and in dental health clinics in Charlottetown, Summerside, and the Tignish Health Centre. To inquire when the services will be provided in the school that your child attends, please call 1 (902) 368-5460 or toll free at 1-866-368-5460. 

Dental public health teams provide the following preventative services free to children:

• Dental hygienists carries out an annual oral health risk assessment to determine if a child is likely to develop or has established signs of oral disease so they can be referred to a dentist.
  Please note:  The annual risk assessment is not a substitute for a child’s annual dental checkup.
• Oral health instructions.
• Topical fluoride application to prevent tooth decay,
• Placement of dental sealants on teeth to prevent tooth decay from beginning on the chewing surface of newly erupting adult teeth where necessary,
• Cleaning and/or polishing of teeth.   

4. Long-Term/Community Care Preventative Dental Care Program

Dentists will screen residents of long-term care facilities and where available, provide limited dental care for the relief of pain and infection. Residents who require more extensive treatment will be referred to a private dentist. Dental hygienists will provide preventative treatment such as cleaning and topical fluoride to prevent root caries.