Public Health offers FREE dental care to children and youth who cannot afford dental care through the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program. Healthy Smiles Ontario is a government-funded dental program that provides free preventive, routine, and emergency dental services to eligible children and youth 17 and younger from low-income families.
Our Oral Health staff can also help enrol children and youth in the HSO program. To learn more about our programs or to refer patients, please call our Dental Line to speak with a member of our Oral Health team at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 2661.
Preventive dental care (all locations)
Public Health offers preventive clinics for children and youth 17 and younger whose families cannot afford dental care. Refer eligible clients to Public Health to learn more about free preventive care (cleanings, sealant and/or fluoride varnish application, oral health education) for their children.
Regular and emergency dental care (Guelph)
If your client is eligible for the HSO program and has a family dentist, Public Health can assist them with an application if required.
For clients who live outside of Guelph, we can help them enroll in the program and access services at a local dental office.
Children and youth may be eligible for regular dental care through HSO if they:
- Are 17 or under,
- Live in Ontario, and
- The income of their household meets the program criteria
Children are automatically enrolled in HSO if:
- They receive assistance under:
- Temporary Care Assistance
- Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities
- They or their family receives:
- Ontario Works
- Ontario Disability Support
A child or youth may be eligible for dental care if they have an urgent dental need and cannot afford treatment. Refer eligible clients to Public Health for a dental screening or assistance with an application if required.