Dental care for children

Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) is a free dental program that covers regular and emergency dental care for children 17 and under. The program is designed for lower-income families in need of support.

The program includes regular visits to a dentist or dental hygienist and covers the cost of treatment for:

  • Check-ups
  • Cleanings
  • Fillings (for a cavity)
  • X-rays
  • Tooth extractions
  • Urgent or emergency dental care (including treatment of a child’s toothache or tooth pain)

If your child has a dental emergency and you are unable to pay for treatment, your dental provider can help with an application for HSO emergency services.

Cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening and braces are not covered by the program.

Eligibility

Who is automatically enrolled?

Children are automatically enrolled in the program if they or their family receive assistance from:

  • Ontario Works
  • Ontario Disability Support
  • Temporary Care Assistance
  • Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities  

Who can apply?

You can apply for your children if they:

What you need

Before you begin the online application, you need:

  • Your child(ren)’s date(s) of birth
  • A valid Ontario address
  • Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Temporary Taxation Number (TTN)
  • To have filed your taxes in the previous year

If you don’t have a SIN or didn’t file your taxes last year, you can still apply but you must use a guarantor.

Apply

Online

Apply to Healthy Smiles Ontario. 

Phone

Call ServiceOntario INFOline toll-free at 1-844-296-6306
TTY toll-free at 1-800-387-5559

Mail

Download, print and complete the application form. Mail the form to:

Healthy Smiles Ontario
33 King Street West
PO Box 645
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8X11

You can also get an application from at a ServiceOntario location.

What's next

  • If accepted, you will receive an HSO dental card in the mail.
  • You must present your dental card to your dental provider at each visit to receive services under the program.

Find a participating dentist

  • If you have a dentist, contact their office to find out if they participate in Healthy Smiles Ontario.
  • If you don’t have a dentist: