Not Covered
There are times when being a Canadian citizen is a really good thing. In Ontario, we have excellent medical coverage with The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). OHIP covers ALL Ontario residents for medical procedures. That’s right, everyone has the right to free medical care in Ontario. You may ask then, why did I just pay hundreds of dollars to have my wisdom teeth removed? Although there are some dental surgeries covered by OHIP, it is limited to surgeries preformed in a hospital for very specific situations. Wisdom Tooth removal is not one of them nor is there a way to justify it to fall into coverage. Wisdom tooth removal is not covered by OHIP.
OHIP Dental Coverage
Dental procedures covered by OHIP include fracture repair, tumor removal, reconstructive surgeries, and medically necessary tooth removal (not wisdom teeth). Basically, coverage includes dental work because of an injury, a disease, a birth defects, or a severe infection. One exception to OHIP’ coverage of wisdom teeth removal could be the rare case where a patient is too weak for an outpatient procedure. In that case the hospital stay is paid for, but the services of the Maxillofacial Surgeon are not. OHIP dental coverage doesn’t include regular dental care like checkups, cleanings, fillings, x-rays, root canals and tooth removal. In rare situations, with prior OHIP approval, tooth removal can be covered but usually it’s when life threatening infection is probable.
Available Help
Usually, company provided insurance covers most dental issues not covered by OHIP. But, if your coverage is limited, or if you can’t afford insurance, there are a variety of free dental care programs in Ontario and the federal level.
Free Dental Care Programs Funded by The Ontario Government
These programs require you to apply first. They cover dental issues in addition to OHIP coverage. They cover both emergency and regular dental care.
In addition to these programs Erbsville Dental is a Studentcare Dental Network Provider. Learn More
Dental Care is Essential for Good Health
In Canada, apart from these programs, free dental care doesn’t exist. A lack of regular dental care has a significant effect on overall health and quality of life. This is the reason for many of these programs. Both levels of government realise that medical costs can be reduced if people have access to basic dental care. Every year there are thousands of hospital visits for infection and pain as a result of preventable dental conditions. Simple gum disease and tooth decay can be prevented by even limited access to dental care.
Dr. John McIntosh
Erbsville Dental has an excellent Maxillofacial Surgeon. He specializes in wisdom tooth removal but is trained to deal with injuries or conditions related to a person’s head, neck, mouth, jaw, and face. If you have any dental issues that require surgery, talk to Dr. John McIntosh at Erbsville Dental in Waterloo. He can offer suggestions and make you aware of your options. Your health and overall wellbeing is important at Erbsville dental where the staff is always caring, friendly, and experienced.
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Accordingly, always seek the advice of your Dentist or other healthcare providers regarding a dental condition or treatment.
