HSO – Healthy Smiles Ontario

This dental program is for children 17 years and under who are from households in financial need and with no form of dental insurance. The program is funded by the Province and is managed by York Region Community and Health Services, Public Health.

Who can use the HSO Program? 
A child may be eligible if he/she is:

• 17 years old or under
• From a household with an Adjusted Family Income of $20,000 or less
• Without access to any form of dental insurance

Is all dental care covered?
HSO covers regular visits to a licensed dental care provider, such as a dentist or dental hygienist, to establish and maintain good oral health. It covers a full range of preventive and dental treatment services including check-ups, cleaning, fillings, x-rays, scaling and more.

HSO does NOT cover orthodontics or cosmetic dentistry, such as teeth whitening and braces.

How do I apply?
Contact your local public health unit, who will help you with the application process, which involves booking an appointment to review your documents and complete the application.

Residents of York Region should call Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933.

Application Forms

• Form A (for families with complete documentation)
• Form B (for families with limited documentation)
• Form C (for youth without parents or legal guardian)
• Form D (guarantor form, to be used with Form B or C in some cases)

Required Documentation
Applicants:

• Annual Goods and Services Tax Credit Entitlement Notice OR Annual Canada Child Tax Benefit and Ontario Child Benefit Notice OR Ontario Sales Tax Credit (most recent tax year)
• Government-issued identification (valid Ontario Health Card, Passport, Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, Permanent Resident Card, Canadian Immigration Identification Card, OR valid Ontario Driver's License)
• Child's valid Ontario Health Card

How do I renew my HSO Client Card?

Online:
Complete the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program Annual Eligibility Verification Declaration Form and return it to your local public health unit along with with the current HSO Client Card for each child.

York Region residents should send their completed forms to:

In person:
Contact your local public health unit, who will help you with the renewal process to complete the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program Annual Eligibility Verification Declaration Form.

Residents of York Region should call Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933.

The Healthy Smiles Ontario Program Annual Eligibility Verification Declaration Form can also be picked up from the York Region Dental Clinic location nearest you.

Billing
When a dentist accepts an HSO-covered patient, the dentist cannot bill you for services that are covered by HSO. If you agree to additional services not covered by HSO, the dentist will bill you directly.

Once qualified, how long will I be eligible for HSO?
Once a child qualifies for the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program, they are eligible for one or three years, or until their 18th birthday. Your child will receive an HSO client card that must be presented to a dentist or dental hygienist in your area who is participating in the program. The choice of dental provider will be yours to make.

The HSO Client Card must be renewed annually by completing the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program Annual Eligibility Verification Declaration Form as noted above (see "How do I renew my HSO Client Card?"). It is the applicant's responsibility to renew this card annually; the expiration date is located on the HSO Client Card.

Not eligible for HSO?
If a child is not eligible for the Healthy Smiles Ontario program the child may still qualify for one of our other dental program services, such as the CINOT program or Preventative Services provided at York Region Public Health Dental Clinics.

More information about Healthy Smiles Ontario
To find out more about Healthy Smiles Ontario and what documents you will need to qualify, call the ServiceOntario INFOline toll-free at 1-866-532-3161 (TTY toll-free at 1-800-387-5559), or visit www.ontario.ca/healthysmiles

Clinic appointments and locations
Clinic services are available by appointment only. To make an appointment for one of our clinics or for more information on HSO and the other dental programs we offer, call Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933.

Newmarket Dental Clinic 22 Prospect Street Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 3S9    This clinic will resume its regular activities as of Tuesday, May 29, 2012. Location Map and Directions -

Richmond Hill Dental Clinic 50 High Tech Road Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 4N7 Location Map and Directions

Markham Dental Clinic 4261 Highway 7 East Unionville, Ontario L3R 9W6 Location Map and Directions