Healthy Communities: Dental Health (CINOT)

Ontario is moving forward with its Poverty Reduction Strategy by providing urgent and essential dental care free-of-charge to children in low-income families.

The Children In Need of Treatment (CINOT) program provides emergency dental care and out-of-hospital anesthetic coverage for low-income children age 17 and under.

The government is also working with Public Health Units, Community Health Centres, Dentists and Dental Hygienists to build community capacity and expand prevention and treatment services for low-income Ontarians, especially children. Services will be rolling out across the province over the next two years.

The government’s total investment in low-income dental services will be $45 million annually when fully implemented.

Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy is designed to build a stronger economy by creating more opportunity for all low-income families and children. The strategy sets a goal of reducing child poverty by 25 per cent in 5 years – lifting 90,000 children out of poverty.

If you know a baby, child or teen aged 17, and under that may require urgent dental care, please contact your local Public Health Unit for more information.

Healthy Smiles Ontario

Good oral health is important to kids’ overall health. Yet, for some, regular dental care may not be affordable. Healthy Smiles Ontario is a new program for kids 17 and under who do not have access to any form of dental coverage. If eligible, your kids will get regular dental services at no cost to you.

Chief Medical Officer of Health on Water Fluoridation

The Office of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health advises that water fluoridation at levels recommended in Ontario and across the country continues to be a safe, effective, economical means of preventing cavities and promoting oral health. Read the document.