Dental Health

Public Health has two dental clinics, one in Cambridge and one in Waterloo. Dentists, Registered Dental Hygienists, and Certified Dental Assistants staff both clinics.

The clinics offer dental services to children and adults who:

• Live in Waterloo Region
• Meet the financial eligibility requirements 

Children

Children 17 years or younger who meet the eligibility requirements receive free basic services including checkups, preventive services (such as scaling, fluoride and sealants) and fillings. 

To determine the financial eligibility, call 519-575-4400 ext. 3086 or submit the Income Assessment form. Eligibility must be determined once a year and this form will need to be completed each time. If the application is approved you will be contacted by dental clinic staff to set up an appointment for your child(ren).

• Bring your and your spouse's (if applicable), Notice of Assessment or proof of income, at your child's first appointment to confirm the required financial eligibility
• If your child(ren) is/are enrolled in Healthy Smiles Ontario, you must bring their Healthy Smiles Ontario card to their dental appointments

The financial eligibility is based on the family income. Those who are eligible have a combined household taxable income that is less than the limit for the family size - see chart below.

 Income levels established by Region of Waterloo Public Health

Adults

• Adults 18 and older without social assistance may be eligible for temporary emergency dental coverage through discretionary benefits. To determine your eligibility, please call Community Services at 519-883-2100 (option 1).
• Adults 18 and older who are not eligible for social assistance or discretionary benefits may be eligible for limited services in public health dental clinics. Services are limited to extractions or fillings to eliminate pain and are accessible once per lifetime. To determine your eligibility please call 519-575-4400 ext. 3086 or submit the Adult Emergency Eligibility form.
• Adults 65 and older may be eligible for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program and/or the Canadian Dental Care Plan. 
• Adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate may be eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan.

Dentists and Dental Hygienists recommend children to be seen by a dental professional by their first birthday, or six months after the first tooth erupts. 

Why should you visit a dentist by your baby's first birthday?

• Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease; at the visit you will learn about simple prevention
• Learn the importance of oral health and start a positive relationship with a dental professional
• Get help to spot problems at early stages when treatment is simple and inexpensive

What can you expect from the first visit?

• A visual check of your baby's mouth while they lay in your arms
• A conversation on how to reduce the risk of decay for your baby
• A simple fluoride varnish application if needed
• A toothbrush, sticker and other supplies
• A quick and easy visit in a friendly environment

We offer free first visits with a registered dental hygienist. To book a first year visit at one of our sites listed below:

• Call 519-575-4400 ext. 3086 or
• Book an appointment online here

Public Health registered dental hygienists and dental assistants provide dental screening in elementary schools in Waterloo Region. If the dental hygienist identifies that a child has a dental problem, parents will receive information about how to access dental care.

If you received a notice that a free dental screening is coming to your child’s school, you can choose to OPT OUT of the dental screening; or if your child is not in one of the listed grades to be screened, you can choose to OPT IN for the dental screening.

Please fill out the Dental Screening Options Form for either option.

Parents do not have to wait for the school dental screening.  If your child has a toothache, infection or large cavity, call 519-575-4400 ext. 5010 to arrange a free dental screening with a Registered Dental Hygienist

Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) is a free program for eligible children and youth, 17 years or younger, from low-income families. HSO provides preventive, routine and emergency dental services.

Children are automatically enrolled in the HSO program when they or their family receive:

• Temporary care assistance
• Assistance for children with severe disabilities
• Ontario Works 
• Ontario Disability Support Program

To enroll your child in the Healthy Smiles Ontario program, choose one of the following options:

• Apply online at Healthy Smiles Ontario
• Call Service Ontario INFOline toll-free at 1-844-296-6306 (TTY 1-800-387-5559)
• Call Public Health 519-575-4400 ext. 5010 (TTY 519-575-4608)

Lost Healthy Smiles Ontario Cards

Call Service Ontario at 1-844-296-6306 to have a new card issued.

Note: If your child experiences a toothache, infection or large cavity (and they are not already enrolled into Healthy Smiles Ontario), call 519-575-4400 ext. 5010 to arrange a free dental screening with a Registered Dental Hygienist at one of our screening sites. 

Children/youth under 18 years of age are now eligible to apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. To find out more information, including eligibility and how to apply visit Canadian Dental Care Plan

The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP), a new publicly-funded dental care program for seniors, is now being offered in Waterloo Region. Check our Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program page.

If a senior does not meet the OSDCP eligibility criteria, they may be eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Visit the Government of Canada website for information on application and eligibility criteria. 

If a senior is not eligible for OSDCP or CDCP, and are experiencing a dental emergency, they may be eligible for temporary dental coverage through discretionary benefits; to determine eligibility, please call Community Services at 519-883-2100 (option 1) for more information. 

Adults and their dependent children, 18 years and older, can receive emergency dental care. Dependents under the age of 18 will be automatically enrolled in the Healthy Smiles Ontario program.

As an Ontario Works client, you will need to find a dental provider accepting clients on social assistance programs by calling dental offices directly. Once you have found a dental office, they can provide a dental exam, limited number of x-rays, and up to three teeth filled or four teeth removed.

Additional services may be available with pre-approval such as dentures and root canals. You should not have to pay any costs to the dental provider for services covered by the program.

Where to get support:

• For proof of assistance for you and household members log in to MyBenefits (you will need to show this to the dental provider). 
• If you are an existing Ontario Works client and have specific dental related questions, please contact the dental program at 519-575-4400 ext. 5010.
• If you are NOT an existing Ontario Works client and are looking to apply for assistance, go to Social assistance | ontario.ca
• If you are not eligible for assistance and are experiencing a dental emergency, you may be eligible for temporary emergency dental coverage through discretionary benefits; to determine your eligibility, please call Community Services at 519-883-2100 (option 1).

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients and their spouse 18 years of age or older are eligible for dental coverage, managed by the province of Ontario. In Waterloo Region, ODSP recipients may also be eligible for discretionary benefits including dentures and root canals (with pre-approvals). Dependent children under the age of 18 will be automatically enrolled in the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program. Dependent adult children may be eligible for temporary emergency dental coverage through Ontario Works (call 519-575-4400 ext. 5010 to verify eligibility). 

Where to get support:

• For proof of assistance for you and household members log in to MyBenefits (you will need to show this to the dental provider). 
• If you are an existing Ontario Disability Support Program client and have questions related to denture and root canal coverage, call the dental program at 519-575-4400 ext. 5010
• If you are an existing Ontario Disability Support Program client and have questions related to your dental coverage, call Accerta at 1-800-505-7430 (Ontario Disability Support Program, option 1).
• If you are NOT an existing Ontario Disability Support Program client and are looking to apply for assistance, go to Social assistance | ontario.ca
• If you are not eligible for assistance and are experiencing a dental emergency, you may be eligible for temporary emergency dental coverage through discretionary benefits; to determine your eligibility, please call Community Services at 519-883-2100 (option 1). 

The federal government’s launch of the new Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) will ease financial barriers to accessing oral health care services for Canadians who:

• have no access to dental insurance,
• have an annual adjusted family net income of less than $90,000.00,
• are a Canadian resident for tax purposes and,
• have filed their tax return in the previous year.

Pre-determined co-payments for services may be required based on adjusted family net income. Applications for the Canadian Dental Care Plan will open in phases, starting with seniors, and aiming to open for all eligible Canadians by 2025.

To find out more information, including if you are eligible, when you can apply, and for application assistance, visit Canadian Dental Care Plan, call the CDCP phone line, or visit a Service Canada location in person;

• Toll Free: 1-833-537-4342
• TTY: 1-833-677-6262

• Early Childhood Tooth Decay
• Dental Care for Your Baby and Toddler - Video
• Preventing Early Childhood Caries - Video
• Public Health Resource Kits

Infection Prevention and Control

Whether offering services within one of the public health dental clinics, community health centers, school dental screenings, or other community sites, dental staff follow the most current Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) guidance from the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, and Public Health Ontario.