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Does OHIP cover dental services?

Generally no, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not cover dental services.

OHIP may cover some dental surgery if it is at a hospital. Some dental surgeries need to be performed in a hospital because they are complex or you have a medical condition that needs monitoring during the procedure.

Dental care under OHIP is limited to oral surgery performed in a hospital and limited situations such as:

• fracture repair after an accident
• tumour or cyst removal
• surgeries correcting congenital issues
• medically necessary tooth removal (prior approval by OHIP is required)
• complex or fragile health of patients that may need special monitoring or additional care

Many employers and unions offer dental plans as part of a benefits package, but you can also buy an individual or family plan on your own. Dental plans help to pay for dental procedures such as cleaning teeth and gums, x-rays, filling cavities and removing wisdom teeth.

You or your family may be eligible for dental coverage through a government program:

• Canada Dental Benefit - The interim benefit program may help lower dental costs for eligible families.
• Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) - free dental care for eligible children 17 years old and under
• Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) - Limited urgent dental care is available through this program.
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) - Dental coverage is available for ODSP recipients and their eligible spouses.
• Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) - free dental care for eligible seniors in Ontario.
• Ontario Works (OW) - Dental coverage may be available; you can contact your caseworker to find out what coverage may be available.

Some community health organizations have basic dental services. Colleges and universities that teach dentistry often have dental clinic programs. In these programs, dental students provide the service for a fee that is less expensive than a licensed dentist.

For More Information

• Are you covered? This fact sheet may help you understand your plan if you're paying for dental care on your own. From the Canadian Dental Association.
• Dental Costs Explained - What you need to know about dental fees in Ontario. From the Ontario Dental Association.
• Where can I get dental care if I don't have insurance? - Information about where you can access dental care without insurance. From Settlement.Org.