Government Dental Programs

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal government program that is intended to provide coverage for Canadian residents who do not have dental benefits and have a household income of less than $90,000 a year.

If you are covered under other government dental programs (such as Healthy Smiles Ontario and the Ontario Disability Support Program) and are eligible for the CDCP, you will be able to apply. Benefits will be co-ordinated between the programs, which means that your coverage will not be duplicated.

Learn more about the Canadian Dental Care Program

Interim Federal Health Program

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFPH) covers emergency dental care for refugees. “Emergency” is defined as procedures to reduce pain and active infection, hemorrhage and the result of oral trauma.

The IFHP provides limited, temporary coverage of health-care benefits to people in the following groups who aren’t eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance:

• Protected persons, including resettled refugees;
• Refugee claimants; and
• Certain other groups.

Learn more: Interim Federal Health Program – Information for Individuals

Non-Insured Health Benefits Program

The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program is a national health-benefit program for eligible First Nations people and Inuit. This program provides coverage for a range of health benefits that are not covered through other social programs, private insurance plans or provincial or territorial health insurance.

The program covers a range of dental services including diagnostic (e.g. X-rays), preventive (e.g. cleaning, fluorides), restorative (e.g. fillings, crowns); endodontic (including root canal treatments), periodontal and oral surgery.

Learn more: Non-insured health benefits for First Nations and Inuit

Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) is a government-funded dental program that provides preventive, routine, and emergency dental services for children and youth 17 years old and under from low-income households.

Who it’s for: To be eligible your children must be:

• 17 years of age or under;
• Live in Ontario; and
• Come from a household that meets the HSO income eligibility requirements.

Learn more: Healthy Smiles Ontario

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) offers financial assistance, benefits and employment support to eligible Ontarians living with a disability.

If you are receiving ODSP support, you and your spouse (18 years and over) may be able to get coverage for:

• Basic dental services
• Additional services if your disability, prescribed medications or prescribed treatment affects your oral health

If you have any children who are 17 years and under, they will be automatically enrolled in Healthy Smiles Ontario.

Learn more: Ontario Disability Support Program

Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)

OHIP is Ontario’s health care plan but it does not cover dental care, with the notable exception of some in-hospital dental surgeries (e.g. fracture repairs, tumor removal, reconstructive surgery). Medically necessary tooth removal is also sometimes covered, provided it has prior approval by OHIP.

Learn more: What OHIP Covers

Ontario Seniors’ Dental Care Program

The new Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program is a government-funded dental care program. It provides free, routine dental services for low-income seniors who are 65 years of age or older. Seniors can access dental services under this program only through:

• Public Health Units;
• partner Community Health Centres; and
• partner Aboriginal Health Access Centres.

Learn more on the Ontario government website or by calling 416-916-0204 or toll-free at 1-833-207-4435.

Ontario Works

Ontario Works helps people who are in financial need. It offers financial and employment assistance, including some health benefits for participants and their families. Emergency assistance is also available to people who are in a crisis or an emergency situation.

If you are receiving Ontario Works, you and your family may be eligible for certain health-related benefits. Children 17 and under will be automatically enrolled in the Healthy Smiles Ontario program.

Learn more: Ontario Works

A Public Health Unit (PHU) is an official health agency established by a group of urban and rural municipalities to provide a more efficient community health program. Its full-time, specially qualified staff carry out the program.

There are 34 PHUs in Ontario. Many have in-house dental clinics offering many free dental services for children and youth. Some PHUs also provide services for adults and seniors, but not all.

Learn more: Contact your closest Public Health Unit to ask about dental help in your area.

Community Health Centres (CHCs) are not-for-profit community-governed organizations with a primary focus on providing comprehensive health care and other services to populations who have traditionally faced barriers accessing health services, including:

• Those living on low income
• New immigrants
• Those with complex mental health issues
• Individuals who do not have health insurance

There are 75 CHCs in Ontario. Each centre is an incorporated, non-profit agency governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Programming is responsive to community needs and varies across centres.

Learn more: Contact your closest Community Health Centre to ask about dental help in your area.

Many municipalities administer dental benefits for people on Ontario Works and may offer other programs. If your municipality does not have a specific dental program for which you are eligible, there may be some form of financial support that can help with other expenses so that you can afford to go to your local dentist.

Learn more: Contact your closest municipality to ask about dental help in your area.

The University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry operates 12 dental specialty clinics. Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and Postgraduate Specialist students work with professional licensed clinical instructors to provide low-cost dental care.

To learn more, contact the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry.

The Schulich Dental Clinic at Western University in London operates six different low-cost dental clinics run by dental students and supervised by licensed dentists.

Learn more: contact the Schulich Dental Clinic at Western University.