Due to the impact of COVID-19, many children and youth who were enrolled in the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program were unable to access the dental care they needed. The Ministry is working to support those with HSO cards that expired on July 31^st. The Ministry will be automatically renewing all children/youth who were enrolled in the income and social assistance streams of the HSO program (for the August 1, 2019 – July 31, 2020 benefit year) to remain enrolled in the next benefit year (August 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021). These renewed clients will be mailed a new dental card, expiring July 31, 2021, regardless of any changes to their income eligibility, which might otherwise have impacted renewal for the next benefit year.

Children/youth who were enrolled in the Emergency and Essential HSO cards and those who turned 18 between March 19^th and July 31^st and who had appointments booked but not able to attend due to COVID-19 will be able to re-book these appointments until completion of the required dental service (i.e., if the required service were to take place over multiple visits).