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 currently provides emergency dental care to low-income children from birth to age 13.  As of Jan 1, 2009, the program will be expanded to reach children up to age 18. It will also provide out-of-hospital anaesthetic coverage for children age five to 17.

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 age 17, and under that may require urgent dental care, please contact your local Public Health Unit for more information.

• Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy
  We can break the cycle of poverty. That’s the conviction that sits at the heart of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. [Read the Report]