July 16, 2026
The Honourable Sylvia Jones
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
Government of Ontario
sylvia.jones@ontario.ca
Dear Minister Jones,
Re: Healthy Smiles Ontario Schedule of Dental Services and Fees
On behalf of the Board of Health for Lakelands Public Health (LPH), I am writing to support the concerns raised by the Board of Health for Algoma Public Health in its May 21, 2026 correspondence, and to urge the Ministry of Health to review and update the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) Schedule of Dental Services and Fees.
Since the introduction of the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program, public health professionals and stakeholders, including the Ontario Dental Association (ODA), have raised concerns that HSO reimbursement rates remain at approximately 40% of the ODA Suggested Fee Guide. This has led to limited provider participation, resulting in barriers to accessing dental care for vulnerable children and youth.
Dental caries (tooth decay) remains the most common preventable chronic childhood disease in Canada. Untreated dental disease causes pain, infection, difficulty with eating and sleeping, as well as learning disruptions. Thus, timely access to oral health care for children and youth is essential for overall well-being.
HSO plays a vital role in oral health equity by funding preventive and dental treatment services for eligible children and youth. Ontario public health units bridge the gap to this support by offering oral health screening, referrals, program promotion, and navigation services. This collaboration aids in connecting children and their families with crucial access to dental care.
Since the introduction of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) it has been observed by members of the Ontario Association of Public Health Dentistry that an increasing number of dental providers in Ontario are refusing to accept children on HSO unless their family is also enrolled in the federal program, which offers a higher reimbursement rate than HSO. This presents a significant challenge to individuals and families who do not qualify, cannot afford to
pay the co-payment, and/or cannot pay the balance bill associated with the CDCP.
Local findings collected by LPH support these concerns. According to a recent phone survey, only 8 out of 44 dental providers in Northumberland County, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton County reported accepting families covered solely by HSO. Feedback from clients and dental offices also indicates that some providers who accept HSO limit the number of HSO clients they will see, further restricting timely access to care. Staff have heard similar concerns in Peterborough and Peterborough County; however, no comparable survey was conducted, because HSO clients can access care through the LPH Community Dental Care Clinic.
The Board of Health for LPH urges the Ministry of Health to review and update the HSO Schedule of Dental Services and Fees. Reimbursement rates that better reflect the cost of dental treatment would strengthen provider participation and improve timely access to dental services for children and youth who rely on HSO.
Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. We appreciate the Ministry's continued commitment to improving oral health and reducing health inequities for Ontario residents and would welcome the opportunity to contribute local perspectives to any future review of the HSO program.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Deputy Mayor Ron Black
Chair, Board of Health
/ag
Encl.: Algoma Correspondence, May 2026
cc: Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health
Dr. David A. Brown, Chair, Board of Directors and President, Ontario Dental Association
Local MPPs
Ontario Boards of Health
Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa)Sincerely,