Dental care for newcomers to Canada

Reviewed by Dr. Samar Fadavi, DDS

Short answer: In Canada, most dental care happens at private clinics and is not covered by provincial health cards like OHIP. People pay through workplace dental insurance, government programs such as the Canadian Dental Care Plan, or on their own. As a newcomer, find a clinic near home, book a first exam and cleaning, bring any past records, and ask the clinic to explain coverage before treatment.

Why this guide

Scarborough and East Toronto are home to families from every part of the world. Many of our patients arrived in Canada recently and tell us the dental system here feels very different from what they knew at home. In some countries dental care is part of public health care. In others, people visit a dentist only when something hurts. In Canada, regular preventive visits are the norm, but most of the cost is not covered by the provincial health plan.

This guide explains how dental care works in Ontario, what coverage options exist, how to choose a clinic, and what to expect at your first visit. It is general information, and program rules can change, so always check official sources for your own situation. If you are ready to book, our new patients page explains how your first visit works.

How dental care works in Canada

Canada has public health care for medically necessary services, such as doctor visits and hospital care. In Ontario this is OHIP. Dental care is mostly separate. Dentists run private clinics, and patients choose which clinic they want to attend. There is no need for a referral from a family doctor to see a general dentist.

OHIP covers only a small set of dental services, mainly certain surgical procedures that must be done in a hospital. Routine exams, cleanings, fillings, root canals, crowns, extractions in a clinic and dentures are generally not covered by OHIP for adults.

Who works in a dental clinic

• Dentists examine, diagnose and treat teeth and gums. In Ontario they are regulated by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.
• Dental hygienists clean teeth, check gums, and teach home care.
• Dental assistants help the dentist during treatment and prepare the room and instruments.
• Front desk staff book appointments and help with insurance and billing questions.

Some treatments are referred to dentists with extra training, for example for complex surgery or orthodontics. Your general dentist will explain if and why a referral is needed.

Ways to pay for dental care

There are several ways families in Ontario cover dental care. Many people use more than one over time.

Workplace dental insurance

Many employers offer a group benefits plan that includes dental coverage for the employee and family. Plans differ in what they cover and how often. If you start a new job, ask human resources when your benefits begin and request your plan details. Many clinics, including ours, can bill your insurer directly. Our guide on how dental insurance works in Canada explains plan terms in plain language.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

The federal government runs the Canadian Dental Care Plan for eligible residents who do not have access to dental insurance and whose adjusted family net income is below the plan's limit. To qualify, you generally need to be a resident of Canada for tax purposes and to have filed a tax return for the previous year. This means some newcomers become eligible only after they file their first Canadian tax return. Check the official Canadian Dental Care Plan page for current rules. Our clinic sees CDCP patients; learn more on our CDCP dentist page.

Ontario programs

• Healthy Smiles Ontario covers dental care for children and youth 17 and under from eligible households.
• Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program serves eligible seniors 65 and older with lower income, through public health units and community clinics.
• Ontario Works and ODSP recipients may have some dental coverage. Ask your caseworker.

Refugees and protected persons

Refugee claimants, resettled refugees and some protected persons may have limited dental coverage, mainly for urgent care, through the federal Interim Federal Health Program. Check your certificate and ask the clinic whether they can bill the program.

Paying on your own

If you have no coverage yet, you can still see a dentist. Ask the clinic for a written estimate before any treatment, so you understand the plan and can decide what to do first.

Choosing a dental clinic

• Location: a clinic close to home, work or school, or near a TTC route you use, makes regular visits easier.
• Hours: evening and Saturday hours help if you work or study during the day.
• Languages: it helps to speak with the team in a language you are comfortable with. Our team speaks English, French and Farsi, and we serve patients who use ASL.
• Accessibility: check for step-free entry, parking and transit if you or a family member need it.
• Billing: ask whether the clinic can bill your insurance or CDCP directly.
• Emergencies: ask whether the clinic offers same-day visits for urgent problems.

Your first visit

At a first visit in Canada, the dental team will usually:

1. Ask you to fill out a health history form, including medications, allergies and medical conditions.
2. Ask about any dental problems, pain or worries.
3. Take x-rays to see between the teeth and below the gums.
4. Do a full exam of the teeth, gums, bite and soft tissues, including a check for oral cancer.
5. Clean the teeth, or book a cleaning for another day.
6. Explain findings and suggest a treatment plan with options and a written estimate.

You can ask questions at any time. You do not have to agree to all treatment at once. Many families plan treatment in stages based on urgency and coverage.

What to bring

• Photo ID and your Ontario health card if you have one
• Insurance or CDCP member details
• A list of medications and supplements, with doses
• Any dental records or x-rays from your home country, if you have them. Digital copies on your phone are useful.
• Details of past treatments, such as root canals, crowns, implants or braces
• Your questions written down

How often to visit

In Canada, most people are encouraged to see the dentist regularly for an exam and cleaning, even when nothing hurts. Regular visits let the dentist find small problems before they become painful or complex. The right interval depends on your gums, cavity risk and health. Our guide on how often you should see a dentist explains how the schedule is set.

Common dental concerns for newcomers

Treatment started in another country

If you had a root canal, implant, crown or braces started before you moved, tell the dentist. Bring any records you have. The dentist will check what was done and plan the next steps.

Changes in diet

Moving often changes what and when people eat. More packaged snacks, sweet drinks and coffee can raise the risk of cavities. Water between meals helps.

Water and fluoride

Toronto adds fluoride to its tap water at a low level to help protect teeth. Many newcomers are not used to drinking tap water. In Toronto it is treated and tested, and drinking it supports dental health.

Stress

Settling in a new country can be stressful. Stress can show up as teeth grinding, sore jaws and skipped routines. Mention these at your visit.

Children's dental care

Children should see a dentist by their first birthday, and regularly after that. Ask about programs for children if your family has no insurance.

Dental emergencies

If you have severe tooth pain, swelling, a broken or knocked-out tooth, or bleeding that will not stop, call a dental clinic right away. Our clinic offers same-day emergency visits, and you do not need to be an existing patient. If you have facial swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 911.

Understanding your treatment plan

• Ask what each treatment is for and what happens if you wait.
• Ask about other options.
• Ask for a written estimate and a predetermination to your insurer for larger treatment.
• Ask which items are urgent and which can be planned later.

Steps to get started

1. Check whether you have workplace dental insurance or may qualify for a government program.
2. Find a clinic close to home or work with hours that suit you.
3. Gather your health history, medications and any past dental records.
4. Book a first exam and cleaning for each family member.
5. Ask for a written treatment plan and estimate.
6. Set up regular check-ups.

What to avoid

• Waiting until a tooth hurts to see a dentist.
• Assuming OHIP covers dental visits.
• Starting treatment without understanding coverage.
• Throwing away dental records from your home country.
• Ignoring swelling or fever with tooth pain.

Words you will hear at a Canadian dental clinic

• Check-up or recall exam: a regular visit where the dentist checks your teeth and gums.
• Cleaning or scaling: removing hardened deposits from the teeth. Polishing smooths the surfaces afterward.
• Bitewing x-rays: small x-rays that show cavities between the back teeth.
• Filling: repairing a cavity, usually with tooth-coloured material.
• Root canal: treating the inside of a tooth when the nerve is infected or inflamed.
• Crown: a cap that covers and protects a damaged tooth.
• Predetermination or preauthorization: sending a treatment plan to an insurer or program before treatment, so you know what will be covered.
• Co-payment: the part of the cost you pay yourself under a plan.
• Direct billing: the clinic sends the claim to your insurer for you.
• Recall interval: how often the clinic suggests you come back for check-ups.

If any word is unclear, ask the team to explain it. It is your right to understand your treatment before you agree to it, and the dentist must explain your options and ask for your consent.

Pregnancy and new babies

Many newcomer families are expecting a baby or have young children. Dental check-ups are safe and recommended during pregnancy, and hormone changes can make the gums more likely to bleed. Tell the dentist you are pregnant so they can plan x-rays and treatment safely. After the baby arrives, book the first dental visit by the first birthday. Starting early sets good habits for the whole family in your new home.

Healthy habits between visits

Regular check-ups work well alongside a steady routine at home. Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste. Clean between your teeth once a day with floss or small interdental brushes. Keep sweet drinks and snacks to mealtimes, and drink water in between. If you smoke or vape, ask about support to quit, because both affect the gums. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months. These simple habits protect your teeth and help keep treatment needs small, which matters while you are still sorting out coverage in a new country.

When to see a dentist

Book a visit soon after you arrive, even if your teeth feel fine, to set a baseline and catch problems early. Call us the same day for pain, swelling, a broken tooth or a lost filling. Learn more about joining our clinic on the new patients page.

Frequently asked questions

Does OHIP cover going to the dentist?

For most adults, no. OHIP covers only some dental surgery done in a hospital. Routine dental care is paid through insurance, government programs or by the patient.

Can I see a dentist without a health card?

Yes. A health card is not required for a dental visit at a private clinic.

Can I get CDCP as a newcomer?

You generally need to be a Canadian resident for tax purposes and to have filed a tax return for the previous year, along with other conditions. Check the official CDCP page for current rules.

Do you have staff who speak my language?

Our team speaks English, French and Farsi, and we serve patients who use ASL.

Can my whole family come on the same day?

Often, yes. Ask when booking and we will try to schedule family visits together.

Do I need a referral to see a dentist?

No. You can book directly with a general dental clinic.

Will my dental records from home be useful?

Yes. X-rays and treatment notes, even in another language, help the dentist understand past work. Bring paper copies or digital files if you have them.