Emergency care for children
To qualify for emergency/essential dental care, you must:
- have a clinical need
- be able to show financial hardship. You will be asked some questions about how you or your family would be affected if you had to pay for dental treatment. For example, would you be able to pay household bills if you had to pay for dental treatment?
To apply for emergency care, contact your dentist’s office or Public Health Sudbury & Districts to find out if they participate in Healthy Smiles Ontario.
If you don’t have a dentist, contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts immediately for more information (705.522.9200, ext. 236 or toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
Children receiving emergency and/or essential care are covered for 12 months from their date of enrollment. They must re-apply at the end of 12 months to determine if they’re still eligible.
For those who qualify, treatment services are offered to children and youth who have:
- tooth pain
- large cavities
- infections
- a tooth that needs to be pulled (emergency extractions)
Basic dental services for children
Healthy Smiles Ontario (Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care) is for children 17 and under who do not have access to any form of dental coverage. If they are eligible, children get regular dental services at no cost to their families. The program covers regular visits to a dentist or dental hygienist. It covers a full range of services including check-ups, cleaning, fillings and x-rays.
To qualify for basic dental services, the child or youth:
- must be 17 and under
- must be a resident of Ontario
- must be a member of a household that meets the income eligibility requirements (Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care)
Applying for basic dental services:
- You must fill out and submit an application form to see if you qualify.
- Our staff can help make sure you have properly completed the form and have all the supporting documents needed to apply. Please call 705.522.9200, ext. 236 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
Basic dental services for seniors
The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program is for seniors 65 years of age and older who do not have access to any form of dental coverage. It covers a full range of services including check-ups, cleanings, fillings, and x-rays.
See if you qualify for basic dental services for seniors.
Canada Dental Benefit for children under 12 years of age
If you have children under the age of 12, you may be eligible to receive the Government of Canada’s new interim Canada Dental Benefit. The interim Canada Dental Benefit is intended to help lower dental costs for eligible families earning less than $90,000 per year. Parents and guardians can apply if the child receiving dental care is under 12 years old and does not have access to a private dental insurance plan.
More details and eligibility requirements are available through the government’s Canada Dental Benefit Plan – Canada.ca.
Canadian Dental Care Plan
The new Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) provides coverage for dental expenses for eligible Canadian residents who have an annual adjusted family net income of less than $90,000 and no access to dental insurance. Applications will open in phases, beginning with seniors. More details are available through the Government of Canada’s eligibility page for the Canadian Dental Care Plan – Canada.ca.