Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP)
The provincially funded OSDCP is implemented by Public Health Units to provide free, routine dental care to low-income seniors who are 65 years of age and older. In 2024, the WECHU Oral Health department supported 4,203 dental appointments to 1,405 clients enrolled in the OSDCP. This included 501 emergency exams and 252 new patient exams. Denture services, including relines, repairs, and fabrication of new dentures were provided to 296 clients over 1,117 office visits, with a total of 293 new dentures delivered. Access to transportation and translation services were also provided to support access to care for dental appointments.
Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO)
The WECHU Oral Health department supported children and youth 17 years of age and younger to access free dental care services through the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program, a provincially funded program implemented through Public Health Units and participating private dental clinics. In 2024, a total of 2,217 appointments were supported for 1,474 children in the WECHU dental clinics, which included 1,218 dental screenings. During the 2023-2024 school year 13,740 children were screened with 1,725 students identified having urgent dental needs. In addition, the WECHU Oral Health department provided free oral health education and support to parents and children through the Baby Oral Health Program (BOHP), which included dental screening by a registered dental hygienist, along with oral health education and support in finding a dental home. Participation in community events included health and wellness expos, school readiness events, and 16 oral health education sessions for priority populations in Early On Centres.