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Healthy Smiles Ontario

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I find out if I am eligible?
• How many of my children are eligible?
• Does this program cover infants?
• Where will my child receive dental services?
• What if my family already has a dentist?
• What if my dentist isn't participating in the program?
• Are braces or whitening covered?
• Do I have to pay a portion of the costs?
• I'm on Ontario Works. Am I eligible?
• What documentation do I have to bring to my Public Health Unit to demonstrate that my child meets the eligibility criteria for the program?
• How will I prove that my child has been accepted into the program?
• How many visits is my child entitled to in a year and for how long?
• Are pediatric dentists available?
• My husband has tooth pain and we don't have insurance, is he eligible?
• What is a public health unit?

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How do I find out if I am eligible?

Kids 17 and under may be eligible if:

• They are residents of Ontario;
• They are members of a household with an Adjusted Family Net Income of $20,000 per year or below; and,
• They do not have access to any form of dental coverage (including other government-funded programs, like Ontario Works).

You will need to show specific documents during the enrollment process.

To find out more about the eligibility requirements for Healthy Smiles Ontario and what documentation you will need to show, call the ServiceOntario INFOline:

Toll-free:	1-866-532-3161
TTY toll-free:	1-800-387-5559 416-327-4282 (Toronto only)
Core hours:	8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or call your local public health unit.

How many of my children are eligible?

As long as each child meets the eligibility requirements for the program, there is no limit to the number of children per family that can participate in the program.

Does this program cover infants?

Yes. This program covers children from birth until their 18th birthday.

Where will my child receive dental services?

Once your childs eligibility has been confirmed, your local public health unit will outline the range of dental service options available in your community. They will provide you with a client card that you may take to a private dentist or dental hygienist in your area who is participating in the program. Your child may also be able to receive services through a local public health unit or community dental clinic. Of the options available in your community, the choice of dental provider will be yours to make.

What if my family already has a dentist?

After your local public health unit has confirmed your childs eligibility for the program and if your dentist has chosen to participate in the program, then your child can continue to receive care from her/him.

What if my dentist isn't participating in the program?

If your dentist is not participating in the program then you have the option of finding a participating dentist in your community or of attending a public health unit or community dental clinic, if there is one available in your area. Your local public health unit can provide some guidance on the range of services available in your area.

Are braces or whitening covered?

Orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry, including braces and teeth whitening, are not covered under the Healthy Smiles Ontario program.

Do I have to pay a portion of the costs?

Once eligibility is confirmed for the program, all of the costs associated with your childs basic oral health care needs will be covered by the program. There will be no cost to you.

I'm on Ontario Works. Am I eligible?

No. This program is only available to kids 17 and under who do not have access to any form of dental coverage, including that from government-funded programs, like Ontario Works.

What documentation do I have to bring to my Public Health Unit to demonstrate that my child meets the eligibility criteria for the program?

To qualify, you will need to show the following documents*:
Applicant’s:

• Annual Goods and Services Tax Credit Entitlement Notice OR Annual Canada child Tax Benefit and Ontario Child Benefit Notice (most recent tax year)

AND

• Government-issued identification (valid Ontario Health Card, Passport, Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, Permanent Resident Card, Canadian Immigration Identification Card, OR valid Ontario Driver’s License)

AND

Child’s:

• Valid Ontario Health Card

*Note: if this documentation is not available, please contact your local public health unit.

How will I prove that my child has been accepted into the program?

Once your child qualifies for the Healthy Smiles Ontario program, your public health unit will issue a Healthy Smiles Ontario client card.

The client card is valid for up to one year, or up to the child’s 18th birthday, whichever is earlier.

The client card must be presented to all dental providers at every appointment. Dental providers will not provide services unless a valid client card is presented.

How many visits is my child entitled to in a year and for how long?

On average, your child will be eligible for visits twice a year as part of basic dental care. Additional visits may be required for other purposes, depending on your child’s oral health status.

In terms of program duration, if all of the necessary documentation is provided to confirm eligibility, then children are eligible for three years, or up to the child’s 18th birthday, whichever is earlier. This means you will not be required to re-enroll for the program during this period of time. Your public health unit will inform you of your child’s term of eligibility when you enroll.

Each year, you will receive a form in the mail to confirm that you are still eligible for the program. Upon signing and returning the form, the public health unit will renew your child’s annual client card for the next year.

Are pediatric dentists available?

The availability of pediatric dentists will vary by region.

My husband has tooth pain and we don’t have insurance, is he eligible?

No. Healthy Smiles Ontario is a program for kids 17 and under. To find our more about other dental services that may be available to your family please see:

Ontario Works (OW)
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

What is a public health unit?

\A public health unit is a team of health professionals providing health promotion and disease prevention programs, often in partnership with other agencies. Programs include important topics such as healthy life-styles, communicable disease control including education in STDs/AIDS, immunization, food premises inspection, healthy growth and development including parenting education, health education for all age groups and selected screening services.

There are 36 public health units in Ontario.

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