Ontario

Waterloo

Public Health Dental Clinics

Easy application

Tax filing not required

Public Health Dental Clinics

Public Health in the Region of Waterloo provides free basic dental care to residents who meet the eligibility requirements. There are two Public Health Dental Clinics, one in Cambridge and one in Waterloo. Dentists, Registered Dental Hygienists, and Certified Dental Assistants staff both clinics.

Public Health Dental Clinics provide free basic dental care program is for children and adults who meet the financial eligibility requirements. It provides basic dental care including scaling, fluoride and sealants. It does not cover more complex dental needs such as crowns, bridges, veneers, dental implants, dentures, orthodontics or braces, periodontal surgery, whitening, or other specialists’ services.

Once your application is approved, a dental clinic staff person will contact you to make an appointment.

There are two clinics offering this service:

  • Waterloo: 99 Regina Street South
  • Cambridge: 150 Main Street

The clinics offer dental services to children and adults who:

  • Live in Waterloo Region
  • Meet the financial eligibility requirements

Children

To be eligible, for children:

  • You must live in the Region of Waterloo
  • You must be 17 years of age or younger
  • You must meet low family income levels

To determine financial eligibility, call 519-575-4400 ext. 3086 or submit the Income Assessment form.

Eligibility must be determined once a year and the Income Assessment form will need to be completed each time. If the application is approved, you will be contacted by dental clinic staff to set up an appointment for your child(ren).

Bring your and your spouse's (if applicable), Notice of Assessment or proof of income, at your child's first appointment to confirm the required financial eligibility.

If your child(ren) is/are enrolled in Healthy Smiles Ontario, you must bring their Healthy Smiles Ontario card to their dental appointments.

Financial eligibility is based on the family income. Those who are eligible have a combined household taxable income that is less than the limit for the family size.

Adults

  • Adults 18 and older without social assistance may be eligible for temporary emergency dental coverage through discretionary benefits. To determine your eligibility, please call Community Services at 519-883-2100 (option 1).
  • Adults 18 and older who do not have access to dental services through social assistance may receive limited services like extractions or fillings to eliminate pain. To determine your eligibility please call 519-575-4400 ext. 3086 or submit the Adult Emergency Eligibility form.
  • Adults 65 and older may be eligible for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program and/or the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
  • Adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate may be eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan.

Health card

For example:

  • valid health card with no photo, name and address
  • valid health card with photo, name and address
  • MCP (Medical Care Plan) number
  • Valid ambulance/dental services card
  • Department of Immigration, Skills and Labour identification number
  • Department of Immigration, Skills and Labour file number (Income Support Card).

Proof of birth

A document with first name, last name, and date of birth. For example:

  • Birth certificate or birth registration
  • Hospital record of birth or record of the physician/nurse/midwife who attended the birth
  • Passport
  • Record of landing or confirmation of permanent residence issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
  • Citizenship certificate
  • Note of decision or temporary resident’s permit issued under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
  • Certificate of Indian status card
  • Provincial identity card

Notice of Assessment

A statement from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to each taxpayer, every year, after you have filed a tax return. It tells you the amount of income tax you owe, or the amount of the refund you will get.

For children

To apply to receive this benefit for your child you must complete the Dental Clinic Application.

Adults

  • Adults 18 and older without social assistance may be eligible for temporary emergency dental coverage through discretionary benefits. To determine your eligibility, please call Community Services at 519-883-2100 (option 1).
  • Adults 18 and older who do not have access to dental services through social assistance, may be eligible to receive limited services such as extractions or fillings to eliminate pain. To determine your eligibility please call 519-575-4400 ext. 3086 or submit the Adult Emergency Eligibility form.

Older adults

Adults 65 and older may be eligible for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program. To determine your eligibility please call Community Services at 519-883-2100 (select option 1).

If you have questions or need assistance, call the Region of Waterloo Public Health Dental Program at 519-575-4400 (Waterloo ext. 3086 and Cambridge ext. 3088).

Last updated: January 24, 2025