Good news if you struggle to pay for your child's dental care

70,000 kids could be eligible for free dental care

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, SAULT MPP

*************************
More than 323,000 children and youth from low-income families are getting free dental care through the new Healthy Smiles Ontario program.

Under the expanded program, Ontario is providing free dental care to help Sault Ste. Marie families raise healthier kids.

Children from low-income families can access free preventive, routine, emergency and essential care from licensed dental providers, David Orazietti MPP announced today.

“The Healthy Smiles Program will help more children and youth in Sault Ste. Marie access preventive dental care when they need it most,” said Orazietti. “Access to dental care in the early years is proven to be an important part of good overall health as an adult.”

Ontario has integrated six publicly funded dental programs into one, providing a simplified enrolment process and making it easier for eligible children to get the care they need.

These changes also mean that 70,000 more children from low-income families have become eligible for free dental services.

Applicants can now sign up for this program online at ontario.ca/healthysmiles. They can also contact their local public health unit for information and support.

Research demonstrates that untreated oral health problems can affect a child’s ability to eat, sleep and concentrate in school, which can impact their growth and development.

The new Healthy Smiles Ontario program is part of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy commitment to build community capacity to deliver oral health prevention and treatment services to children and youth from low-income families in Ontario.

“The oral health of children and youth is important as it is connected to their overall health and wellbeing,” said Hannele Dionisi, Program Manager of Child Health and Oral Health Services at Algoma Public Health. “Healthy Smiles Ontario supports children and families in need to receive treatment, preventive services and dental health education. We look forward to assisting families and dental health providers in the Algoma district in navigating the new program with a goal of children and youth accessing oral health services. Algoma Public Health would like to acknowledge the provincial government for supporting publicly funded dental programs.”

Investing in dental care for children and youth is part of the government's plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care, which provides patients with faster access to the right care; better home and community care; the information they need to live healthy; and a health care system that is sustainable for generations to come.

QUICK FACTS

Tooth decay is one of the most prevalent and preventable chronic diseases, particularly among children. It is the leading cause of day surgeries for children ages one to five and rates are four times higher for children from the least (versus the most) affluent neighbourhoods.

Healthy Smiles Ontario covers regular visits to a licensed dental provider, such as a dentist or dental hygienist. It covers dental services including check-ups, cleaning, fillings, X-rays, and urgent/emergency oral health issues.
Ontario engaged in significant consultation with community and public health partners as well as dental associations to develop the new Healthy Smiles Ontario program.

LEARN MORE

*************************