Dental Health

When you have problems with your mouth or teeth, they can affect how you look, talk, and eat. And they can get worse over time.

What you eat and drink, how well you clean your teeth, and the other habits you have, affect the heath of your mouth.

If you can’t afford to pay for dental care and don’t have dental coverage, we have programs to help you:

• Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO)
• Children in Need of Treatment (CINOT) program
• Preventive Dental Clinic
• Oral Health Screenings

To find out if you’re eligible for any of these services, call the Dental Line at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 2661. We’ll help you through the application forms.

Healthy Smiles Ontario

Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) is a free program covering routine dental care for youth who don’t have access to any form of dental coverage. If eligible, you’ll get regular dental services at no cost at the dentist/dental provider of your choice.

You can use HSO if:

• You’re 17 or under
• You live in Ontario
• Your family’s Adjusted Family Net Income (after tax and deductions) for a year is $20,000 or less
• You do not have any form of dental coverage (including Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support, or non-insured health benefits)

You’ll get:

• Visits to the dentist
• Cleanings
• Fillings
• X-rays
• Scaling
• Other treatments

Orthodontics (e.g., braces) and cosmetic dentistry (e.g., teeth whitening) are not covered by HSO. Read more about the HSO program or call our Dental Line at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 2661.

Children in Need of Treatment (CINOT)

CINOT provides urgent dental care for:

• Tooth or mouth pain
• Infection
• Large cavities
• Painful, bleeding gums
• Mouth injuries involving teeth

You can use the CINOT program if:

• You’re 17 or under and have an urgent dental need
• You don’t have dental coverage and can’t afford dental care

You can get:

• Fillings
• X-rays
• Teeth removal
• Some root canal treatments

Braces and regular check-ups are not covered. Find out more about the CINOT program or call our Dental Line at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 2661. 

Preventive Dental Clinic

Preventive Dental Clinics help you prevent cavities and keep teeth and gums healthy.

We can:

• Clean teeth
• Apply fluoride
• Coat teeth with sealants
• Show you how to brush
• Tell you about foods that are healthy for teeth
• Check to see if you’re eligible for the CINOT or HSO programs

You can use the Preventive Dental Clinic if:

• You’re 17 or under
• You don’t have dental coverage and can’t afford dental care

To learn more about Preventive Dental Clinic, call our Dental Line at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 2661. 

Oral health screenings

We provide free oral health screenings (check-ups) for youth 17 and under who meet these criteria:

• Parents/guardians don’t have dental insurance
• Parents/guardians don’t receive Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support, or non-insured health benefits
• Can’t afford to pay for dental treatment

Make an appointment for a screening by calling 1-800-265-7293 ext. 2661.

At your appointment, the dental hygienist will check if you’re eligible for any of our dental programs. You’ll also get information about keeping your mouth and teeth healthy, brushing and flossing, and eating for good oral health.