What is the Ontario Association of Public Health Dentistry?

The OAPHD is an association of dental professionals whose prime interest is the oral health of the general public. Most of our members work in local public health departments and provide oral and dental health information and services for the community in which they work. They are also involved in annual programs directed to schoolchildren in elementary schools across Ontario.

The OAPHD advocates for oral health and improved access to care on behalf of the community, as a whole or on behalf of special populations such as seniors and the very young.

Oral health is an important part of good general health. In Ontario, access to oral and dental care is limited to those who can pay (either out of pocket or from "dental insurance" plans received as a benefit of employment). There are limited programs that address the needs of children with acute problems. For those children eligible for Ontario Works or CINOT, they have access to a provincial mandatory dental treatment program. Others may be eligible for dental care on an emergency basis only. For information on public dental programs in Ontario, go to our Programs page