Dental program that reduces financial barriers for youth is back

WELLINGTON COUNTY – A dental program aimed at reducing financial barriers for children from low-income households has returned following a pandemic-related absence.

Healthy Smiles Ontario is a provincially-funded program provided by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) that offers free preventive, routine and emergency dental services for children and youth aged 17 and under.

Services covered include everything from checkups to cavity fillings to emergency care.

“Dental and oral health is such an important part of our children’s healthy growth and development,” said director of community health and chief nursing officer Rita Isley.

“We know that over the last two years many children have not seen a dental professional and we want to make sure they get the care they need.”

School services, including dental screenings and fluoride varnish applications, remain temporarily suspended.

For more information contact the WDGPH dental line at 1-800-265-7293 (ext. 2661) or visit wdgpublichealth.ca.