Dental care in Canada is expensive, especially if you don’t have any insurance to cover some of the costs. Thankfully, the government of Ontario offers a dental program that can help cover the cost of dental care for your child.
If your family lives in Ontario and you have children who are 17 years old or younger, they may be able to qualify for the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program.
What Is Healthy Smiles Ontario?
Introduced in 2010, Healthy Smiles Ontario is a provincial support program designed for lower-income families. It allows children aged 17 and under to qualify for free routine, emergency or preventative dental care through participating oral health professionals, such as dentists or dental hygienists, if their household meets certain income standards.
Who Is Eligible For Healthy Smiles Ontario?
To qualify for the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program, a child or youth must be:
- An Ontario resident
- 17 years old or less
You must also meet the minimum household net income requirements to be eligible for the program. Here are the income thresholds based on the number of dependent children you have:
| Number Of Children You Have | Income Threshold |
| 1 | $26,551 or lower |
| 2 | $28,560 or lower |
| 3 | $30,568 or lower |
| 4 | $32,577 or lower |
| 5 | $34,586 or lower |
| 6 | $36,595 or lower |
| 7 | $38,603 or lower |
| 8 | $40,612 or lower |
| 9 | $42,621 or lower |
| 10 | $44,630 or lower (plus $2,009 per child after that point) |
How Long Will You Be Covered Under The Program?
Once enrolled in the program, eligible children and youth can get dental coverage for:
- 1 benefit year maximum (August 1st to July 31st of the next year), or
- Anytime before their 18th birthday (please note that if the child reaches 18 years old in the benefit year, they aren’t eligible anymore), or
- 12 months from their date of enrollment (for emergency/essential care patients)
How Can You Apply For Healthy Smiles?
Even if your child is eligible for the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program, it can take some time and paperwork before their coverage officially comes through. So, it’s important to submit your application as soon as possible if you think they might need dental care in the near future. There are two easy ways you can apply for Healthy Smiles:
Online
To apply online, visit the Healthy Smiles Ontario website and follow these steps:
- Enter your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Temporary Taxation Number (TTN) to prove your residency, as well as the age(s) of your child(ren).
- Be certain that you and your spouse or common-law partner (when applicable) have filed your income taxes for the latest taxation year.
- Enter you and your spouse’s or common-law partner’s email addresses (when applicable, both parties must be present during the process).
- Provide your electronic signature(s) and confirm the application.
By Mail
To apply for the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program by post, you simply need to:
- Find or download the Healthy Smiles Ontario – General Application at Ontario.ca, a local public health unit or a ServiceOntario location.
- Fill in the application and mail it to:
| Healthy Smiles Ontario 33 King Street West PO Box 645 Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8X1 |
If you are part of a First Nations Community and are currently receiving support from Ontario Works, you can also apply for the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program by:
- Downloading and printing the HSO Ontario Works First Nations Verifications Form through the Ontario.ca website.
- Completing the form and mailing it to:
| Healthy Smiles Ontario Station P, PO Box 2286 Toronto, Ontario M5S 3J8 |
Several days after your child’s enrollment in the program is approved, you should get a Healthy Smiles Ontario dental card in the mail. This card must be presented whenever you want your child to obtain any sort of free coverage at a participating dental provider.
Do you know if you qualify for the Ontario Child Benefit?
Do You Automatically Qualify For Healthy Smiles Ontario?
Before you attempt to enroll your child in Healthy Smiles Ontario, keep in mind that they will automatically qualify for the program if they are 17 or under and they or someone in their family already receive support from one of these government programs:
- Temporary Care Assistance – This assistance is reserved for adults who are fostering a child who isn’t their biological or adopted child. To qualify, applicants cannot receive support from another source, like the Children’s Aid Society. Only assets and income assigned to the child will be considered (not the applicant’s).
- Assistance For Children With Severe Disabilities – Parents or guardians of children with serious disabilities can receive between $25 and $500 a month to help with related care costs. Similar to Health Smiles Ontario, applicants for the ACSD program must be part of a low-to-moderate income household to qualify.
- Ontario Works – Adult residents who are struggling to cover the cost of food, housing or other necessary expenses (prescription medications, clothing, etc.) can apply for assistance through Ontario Works. Monthly coverage amounts depend on the applicant’s family size, lodging costs, and household income.
- Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) – Adults (who are 18 or older) can also apply for the ODSP, which offers financial support, healthcare benefits, and job assistance to people with low incomes due to severe disabilities. To qualify, their condition must fall under the terms of the Ontario Disability Support Program Act.
Which Dentists Fall Under The Healthy Smiles Ontario Program?
If you don’t have a dental provider, one of Ontario’s local public health units can help you find a suitable location in your area (go to ontario.ca/healthysmiles to see the unit(s) nearest to you). However, if you have a dentist, all you need to do is ask them if they participate in the Healthy Smiles Program, then obtain and complete the right forms.
Which Treatments Does The Healthy Smiles Ontario Program Cover?
The amount of dental coverage your children can qualify for depends on their age and household income but there are plenty of dental procedures and services that can be covered under the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program, including but not restricted to:
Examinations/Assessments
To check your children’s mouths for disease, dental practitioners must regularly examine their oral hygiene. Here’s what types of exam or assessment coverage your children can get through Healthy Smiles:
- First Dental Visit – Full coverage for each child aged 3 or under
- New Patient Exam – 1 assessment per 5 years
- Recall (Check-Up) Exam – 1 assessment per 6 months
- Specific Exam (Non-Emergency Issues) – 1 assessment per 12 months
- Emergency Exam – Unlimited coverage
Radiographs (X-Rays)
Similar rules apply to x-ray scans, which are used to detect cavities or signs of infection. Coverage frequency in this category:
- Periapical – Up to 8 radiographs per 12 months
- Bitewing (for diagnosing cavities) – Up to 2 radiographs per 6 months
- Occlusal – 1 radiograph per 12 months
- Panoramic – 1 radiograph per 24 months
Preventative Services
Cleaning and other procedures that prevent cavities or gum disease are what most people think of when it comes to dental work:
- Polishing – Maximum of 2 times per year
- Fluoride – Maximum of 4 times per year
- Sealants – For permanent/adult molars only
- Scaling (Cleanings):
- Up to 15 minutes per year for children aged 11 or under
- Up to 30 minutes per year for children aged 12 – 17
- Some youths and children may qualify for extra time
Restorative Services
If your child breaks a tooth or has a cavity, a good dentist can repair it easily. Plus, Healthy Smiles can provide these kinds of coverage:
- Temporary Fillings – Unlimited service
- Permanent Fillings – Age restrictions may apply for primary/baby teeth
- Crowns (Caps) – Only specific adult/permanent teeth may be covered
Endodontic Services
Root canals and other endodontic operations can also be expensive but needed, as they relieve mouth pain. Healthy Smiles can cover:
- Root Canals – Once per tooth (age restrictions may apply for baby teeth)
Periodontal Services
These procedures are meant to treat gum conditions, like gum disease and problems arising from medical treatments or medications:
- Periodontal (Gum) Surgery – Coverage limitations for certain surgeries
Prosthodontic Services
Similar to prosthetic limbs, prosthodontic services replace teeth that have been removed or lost. In this case, coverage includes:
- Dentures – Coverage may only be available for permanent teeth
- Bridges – Coverage is exclusively for permanent front teeth
Oral Surgery Services
If your child needs a tooth or abnormal piece of tissue removed from their mouth, oral surgery could be the only viable solution:
- Tooth/Tissue Extractions – Unlimited coverage
Anesthesia
To avoid pain and discomfort during dental procedures, the dentist might have to administer anesthesia. Luckily, Healthy Smiles Ontario can cover:
- Unconscious or Conscious Sedation:
- 15 minutes to 2.5 hours (based on the treatment required)
- Some youths and children may qualify for extra time
Note: It’s important to understand that the times, types and amounts of coverage a child or youth can get through the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program may vary depending on what their dental practitioner considers necessary. Make sure to speak with your child’s dentist before confirming a dental procedure with them or applying for Healthy Smiles.
Bottom Line
If you live in Ontario and have a low household income, the Healthy Smiles Program can help your kids get free dental care coverage. Talk to your dentist, check out the Government of Ontario website or speak with someone at a local public health clinic to find out if your child qualifies for Healthy Smiles today.
