Access to Dental Health Services

Every year, dental hygienists from Ottawa Public Health offer free dental screenings in schools. This program identifies children with urgent dental needs and works with families to help them see a dentist. To find out more about dental screening in schools, please watch our video:

• All ages welcome
• Dental health information
• Fluoride varnish applications
• Healthy Smiles Ontario enrolment
• Denture cleaning offered at some locations

Please refer to the monthly calendar for the closest location.

Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO)

Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) is a free dental program that covers regular and emergency dental care for children 17 and under.

Who is Eligible?

Children and youth 17 and under may be eligible if:

• They are residents of Ontario; and
• They are members of a household that meets the income eligibility requirements.

Note: If your family is covered by Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program, your children 17 and under are automatically enrolled in the Healthy Smiles Ontario program. You will receive a Healthy Smiles Ontario dental card in the mail. The dental card must be presented to your dental provider at each dental visit.

What Services are Covered?

• Regular visits to a licensed dental provider, such as a dentist or dental hygienist
• Dental services including check-ups, tooth cleaning, fillings and extractions

How do I Enroll?

• Go to ontario.ca/healthysmiles
• Call ServiceOntario INFOline toll-free at 1-844-296-6306 (TTY toll-free at 1-800-387-5559)

Once enrollment has been confirmed you will receive a Healthy Smiles Ontario dental card. The dental card must be presented to your dental provider at each visit to receive dental care under the program.

How do I Access Urgent or Emergency Dental Care?

• If your child is already enrolled in the HSO program, contact your dentist.
• If your child is not already enrolled in the HSO program, call your dentist to find out if they participate in Healthy Smiles Ontario and book an emergency dental appointment.
• If you don't have a dentist or your dentist does not participate in the HSO program, you can:
  • visit the Ottawa Dental Society webpage or call 613-523-3876 to find a list of dentists who participate in the HSO program.
  • call the Ottawa Public Health Dental Information Line at 613 -580-2424, ext. 23510

Ontario Work (OW):

Urgent dental care is provided for Ontario Works recipients. Call the Ottawa Public Health Dental information line at 613-580-2424 ext. 23510 for more information.

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP): 

The Ontario Disability Support Program covers the cost of dental health services. Visit the Ottawa Dental Society webpage or call 613-523-3876 to find a list of dentists who participate in this program.

Essential Health and Social Supports (EHSS): 

Limited emergency dental care may be available for low-income adults and older adults who qualify for the Essential Health and Social Supports (EHSS) Program. For more information and how to apply, Call the Community and Social Services Department at 3-1-1 or 613-580-2400.

*These programs cover denture benefits for adults and older adults under certain conditions.