Please note that RCDHU is not currently hosting dental clinics. If you require assistance with a dental matter or are experiencing a dental emergency, please call RCDHU at 613-735-8661.
RCDHU can assist with enrolment of the Healthy Smiles Ontario Program, which provides dental care for children and youth with emergency dental conditions for families who would experience financial hardship if they had to pay for treatment.
For the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP), RCDHU is supporting eligible clients to access dental care and providing support to seniors in helping them with their application for the OSDCP.
Dental Services
Good oral health is important to overall health. The Health Unit`s Dental Services are for children and youth from birth to age 17.
Dental Screening
In Elementary Schools
During the school year, health unit staff visit children in senior kindergarten to complete vision screenings. Three tests are used to identify potential issues that need further assessment by an optometrist and a referral will be sent home to parents recommending a comprehensive eye examination.
At the Health Unit Office in Pembroke
Registered Dental Hygienists are available every second Friday at Dental Screening Clinics. To book an appointment for children from birth to age 17, call Dental Services at 613-735-8661 or 1-800-867-1097 extension 661.
At Parent Child Drop-Ins
Children age 6 and younger can get dental screening at Parent Child Drop-ins. To book an appointment at a Parent Child Drop-in in your area, call Dental Services at 613-735-8661 or 1-800-867-1097 extension 661.
Healthy Smiles Ontario Dental Treatment Program
Healthy Smiles Ontario is a free dental program for children and youth age 17 and under living in families with incomes below a set amount. Healthy Smiles Ontario covers regular check-ups, preventive care, and treatment by licensed dental providers.
Who is automatically enrolled
Children and youth are automatically enrolled in Healthy Smiles Ontario when they or their family receive:
- Ontario Works
- Temporary Care Assistance
- Ontario Disability Support Program
- Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities
Details and dental cards are automatically mailed to clients when they receive these programs.
Note: Your children are not automatically enrolled in Healthy Smiles Ontario if you receive Ontario Works and live in a First Nations community. Please apply by mail to enrol your children.
Who is eligible to apply
You can apply for your children if they:
- are 17 years of age and under
- live in Ontario
- come from a household with an income equal to or less than the levels in the table below
Income Eligibility Requirements (as of July 1, 2021)
Number of Dependent Children in Your Household Family Net Income
1 Child $24,347 or lower
2 Children $26,189 or lower
3 Children $28,032 or lower
4 Children $29,874 or lower
5 Children $31,717 or lower
6 Children $33,559 or lower
7 Children $35,402 or lower
8 Children $37,244 or lower
9 Children $39,087 or lower
10 or more Children $40,929 or lower. Add $1,843 for each additional dependent child to determine the income level at which your family would qualify for Healthy Smiles Ontario.
Children and youth with other dental insurance coverage are no longer excluded from Healthy Smiles Ontario coverage.
Healthy Smiles Ontario is also for children and youth who need emergency dental care. Applicants must be assessed for an emergency or essential dental need and must also show financial hardship. Contact Dental Services for more information.
There are three different ways you can apply to Healthy Smiles Ontario:
- apply online or
- fill in, print and mail an application form or
- pick up an application form at the Renfrew County and District Health Unit or a Service Ontario office
For more information call Renfrew County and District Dental Services at 613-735-8661 or 1-800-267-1097 extension 661 OR the Service Ontario INFOline at 1-844-296-6306.
Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program
Dental care providers are continuing to monitor COVID-19 in their communities and carefully and gradually restarting services under the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP). In person dental visits may still be limited during this time for the safety of dental care providers and patients.
The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program will provide free, routine dental services for low-income seniors who are 65 years of age or older.
About the Program
Coverage includes
- Check-ups, including scaling, fluoride and polishing
- Repairing broken teeth and cavities
- X-rays
- Anesthesia
- Removing teeth or abnormal tissue (oral surgery)
- Treating infection and pain (endodontic services)
- Treating gum conditions and diseases (periodontal services)
Dentures
Dental prosthetics (prosthodontic services), including dentures, will be partially covered. Please contact Renfrew County and District Health Unit at 613-735-8661 for more information.
Coverage Period
Once you are enrolled in the program, your coverage lasts for up to one year. All coverage will end on July 31st each year, no matter when you first enroll. For more information about this, visit Ontario’s Senior Dental Care Program Website.
Eligibility
You can apply if:
- You are 65 years of age or older
- An Ontario resident
- Starting August 01, 2021– Meet the income requirements: Annual net income of $22,200 or less for a single senior, or combined annual net income of $37,100 or less for a couple. Apply starting July 01, 2021 to be assessed under the new income thresholds.
- Have no other form of dental benefits, including private insurance or dental coverage under another government program like Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program or Non-Insured Health Benefits.
Income verification will occur through using your Social Insurance Number (SIN), that you must provide when you apply for the program. Visit Ontario’s Senior Dental Care Program Website for more information if you don’t have a SIN or did not file last years tax return.
How to Apply
You can apply ONLINE or by mail.
If you and your spouse or common-law partner are applying to the program, you must submit two separate applications.
Before you begin applying, you need:
- Your date of birth
- A valid Ontario address
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Temporary Taxation Number (TTN)
- To have filed your taxes last year.
If you do not have a SIN or did not file taxes in the previous year, please complete the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program application through guarantor form.
Applying Online
1. Complete the online application
2. Print and fill out the consent form
3. Mail the completed consent form within 30 days to:
Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program
Station P, P.O. Box 159
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 2S7
Applying by Mail
1. Download and print the application form or get one in person from Renfrew County and District Health Unit.
2. Fill out and complete the application form.
3. Mail the completed form to:
Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program
Station P, P.O. Box 159
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 2S7
More information can be found on the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program website.
Vision Services
Regular eye examinations by an optometrist are essential for detecting eye problems and preserving good vision health. It is important to start early, since young children do not know what normal vision is. If not identified early, some eye problems can permanently reduce a child’s vision.
Vision Screening
In Elementary Schools
During the COVID-19 pandemic Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) have temporarily suspended the in-school Vision Screening Program. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommend having an annual comprehensive eye exam by an Optometrist. A valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card covers the cost of an annual eye examination for children and youth aged 0 to 19 years.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends the following:
- Infants and toddlers should have their first eye examination between the ages of 6 and 9 months.
- Preschool children should have at least one eye examination between the ages of 2 and 5 years.
- School children aged 6 to 19 years should have an eye examination annually.
- Adults aged 20 to 39 years should have an eye examination every 2 to 3 years.
- Adults aged 40 to 64 years should have an eye examination every 2 years.
- Adults aged 65 years or older should have an eye examination annually.
A valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card covers the cost of an annual eye examination for children and youth aged 0 to 19 years.
Ontario Association of Optometrists
To find an optometrist, call the Ontario Association of Optometrists at 1-800-540-3837 or visit their website for a list of doctors in your area.
Assistance with Cost
Eye See Eye Learn®
The Eye See… Eye Learn® program encourages parents to book a comprehensive eye exam for their junior kindergarten child with a local, participating optometrist. The cost of the exam is covered by OHIP. If a child needs glasses, they will receive a complimentary pair donated by Nikon Lenswear, OGI and the participating optometrist. The estimated value of the glasses is over $250.
Visit the program website for age eligibility requirements and a list of participating optometrists.
Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program
Families receiving financial assistance from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program can contact their caseworker for information on assistance with the cost of prescription eyeglasses.
Low Income Families
Help with the cost of prescription eyeglasses may be available for low-income families. Call the Community and Social Services Department at 2-1-1 for more information.
Services for Children who are Blind or Have Low Vision
Ontario’s Blind – Low Vision Early Intervention Program is designed to give children who are born blind or with low vision the best possible start in life. Specialized family-centred services are funded by the province and are available for children from birth to Grade 1.
The program offers three types of services:
- Family support
- Intervention services
- Consultation services
Visit the program website for more information.
For more information call Renfrew County and District Health Unit Vision Services at 613-735-8661 or 1-800-267-1097 extension 661.