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Free Dental Programs & ServicesChildren and youth 0-17 years of age who need dental services may be eligible for the Healthy Smiles Ontario(HSO) Program. Healthy Smiles Ontario is a government funded dental program that provides free preventative,routine and emergency dental services to those who qualify. Children are automatically enrolled if they receiveassistance under Temporary Care Assistance, Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities or their familyreceives Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support.*For Ontario Works recipients living in a First Nations community, your children are not automatically enrolled inHSO. Apply online by visiting: www.ontario.ca/healthysmiles, apply by mail by picking up an application from anyService Ontario office or contact your local Public Health UnitOverall Tips to Have Healthy TeethHave regular check-ups with your dentist. First visits should start when children turn one year old.Fluoride helps strengthen teeth. No toothpaste is needed until all the baby teeth have erupted. Just usewater at this stage. A small rice size amount of toothbaste is recommended once they are able to spit it out.After that and up to adulthood, only a pea-size amount of toothpaste is needed when brushing.Eat healthy foods.Are Play Areas Baby Proof?As your child begins to crawl and explore, they need a safe place to practice new skills and they need moresupervision. They also have no sense of danger or caution at this stage and rely on you to keep them safe.Attach locks to cupboards, cover electrical outlets and use safety gates. Get down on the floor and check outone room at a time. Remove any objects that may harm them.Smoke-Free Homes & VehiclesIf you are smoking or vaping (including cannabis), please don%u2019t smoke around your child. If they are exposed tosmoke regularly, they are likely to get more colds, ear infections, bronchitis, and asthma. They are also twice aslikely to die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) than babies who are in smoke-free homes and vehicles.There is no safe level of smoke, especially because children have faster breathing rates than adults and so canabsorb more smoke into their lungs. If you must smoke, please do it outside, and wash your hands when you aredone. Ask your friends and relatives to do the same when they are around your child. Please keep cigarettes,vapes, and ashtrays out of reach. You might not be ready to quit, but if you are, talk to your healthcare provider orpublic health about getting help %u2013 you can call Grey Bruce Public Health at 519-376-9420 Ext 7 to reach theQuitting support line. There are free services and medications to help you on your way. Find out more at ourwebsite: Quitting (publichealthgreybruce.on.ca)