There are several publicly funded oral health programs available for individuals who require assistance to access services.

Click on the tabs below for an overview of federal and provincial programs.

The Interim Canada Dental Benefit provides financial support to families making under $90,000 annually to access dental care for children under the age of 12 while the Government develops a longer-term dental care program. 

Applications are received through CRA, or by calling 1-800-715-8836. 

Additional resources

• Canada Dental Benefit Factsheet

 

The Non-Insured Health Benefits Program (NIHB) provides eligible First Nations and Inuit dental coverage for a broad range of routine dental care.  

Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) is a provincial dental program that provides free preventive, routine, and emergency dental services for children and youth 17 years old and under from low-income households. Children are eligible for HSO if their parents are on Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program. 

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) provides support for people with disabilities in Ontario. In most cases, ODSP recipients are eligible for a number of preventative, routine and emergency care services.   

The Ontario Works program (OW) provides temporary financial assistance to eligible people in Ontario. Coverage for oral health care differs depending on location. 

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) is a federal program that provides temporary coverage for number of health care benefits, including urgent dental coverage, to protected persons and refugee claimants.  

Additional resources

• Search by location for a variety of providers that can offer their services under the IFHP program. 
• Information on the IFHP for Health Care Providers 

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) provides routine dental care and some additional (pre-authorized) care for Canadian Armed Forces veterans. 

The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) provides routine dental care and free dental services to seniors aged 65 and over who meet the required income conditions and do not have dental benefits either through private insurance or other government programs.

If you are accepted into the program, you can access dental services through local Public Health Units or participating Community Health Centers.  

Additional resources

• Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program Application