Healthy Smiles Ontario is a new program providing preventive and early dental treatment services to eligible children and youth aged 0-to-17 years. As part of the provincial government's Poverty Reduction Strategy, the $45 million annual Healthy Smiles Ontario funding is entirely through the Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care. The Poverty Reduction Strategy will reduce the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over five years and supports the Open Ontario Plan to provide more access to health care services.
"It is important that we give our children the best start in life -this program will ensure that children have access to preventive dental care when they need it most," said Carol Mitchell, MPP Huron-Bruce. "Accessing dental care can be a challenge for Huron-Bruce families, particularly for those without dental benefit coverage. This program -which is expected to benefit about 130,000 children province-wide -will ensure that kids can have regular visits with a dentist or dental hygienist.""I'm pleased that the province is doing what it can to ensure that children in Grey-Bruce have access to dental care." says Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP, Bill Murdoch. "This is a major step toward getting kids the basic coverage they need and deserve.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit has received capital funding of $258,000 to purchase mobile dental equipment and for clinic improvements. Public Health will also receive operational funding of $349,000 per year and an additional one-time fund of $8,000 for administrative costs. There are four components to Healthy Smiles Ontario in Grey Bruce:
Dental treatment services provided in private dental offices. Services would include fillings, root canal treatment and extractions.
Preventive care services provided in private dental offices. Services would include cleanings, fluoride application and dental sealants.
Oral health screenings at Public Health and community sites
Oral health promotion, education and outreach activities
To be eligible to receive services, the following criteria must be met:
Must be 0 to 17 years of age Must be a resident of Ontario
Must have no access to dental coverage (e. g., private dental coverage, Ontario Works benefits)
Must have an adjusted family net income of $20,000 or less
Public Health is working with community partners to help plan and implement Healthy Smiles Ontario across Grey Bruce. Our community partners include local dentists and dental hygienists and local dental associations.
Contact your local Public Health Unit to enrol in Healthy Smiles Ontario. Public Health will assist with the application process, which involves completing a form and showing required documentation. Over the long term, the preventive and health promotion activities of this program will help improve oral health among children and youth in Grey Bruce and reduce the amount of dental disease.