Children in Need of Treatment (CINOT)

 

Description:

The Children In Need Of Treatment (CINOT) program ensures that children and youth with urgent dental treatment needs and no other access to care can receive treatment at no cost.  It is a catastrophic dental care program that is available to children aged 17 and younger.  It is intended for children who have an urgent dental condition (which would include ECC), and does not include routine dental care.  This program will be absorbed into a new HSO program beginning August 1, 2015.

 

Region of Administration:

Regional

 

Government / Department:

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

 

Eligibility:

Eligibility is limited to patients whose families do not have dental insurance and for whom the cost of dental treatment would result in financial hardship.

Children 17 years and under may be eligible if:

  • They are residents of Ontario;
  • They have an urgent dental condition identified during screening by one of the public health unit's dental team;
  • They do not have access to any form of dental coverage (including other government-funded programs, like Ontario Works); and
  • The parent/legal guardian signs a declaration that their family does not have any dental insurance for the necessary dental treatment and that the costs of dental treatment for this treatment will create a financial hardship. The parent/legal guardian also signs to say that they understand they may be required to provide financial documentation to substantiate the declaration of financial hardship.

 

Coverage:

CINOT covers basic treatment including oral exams, x-rays, topical fluoride, cleaning, fillings, root canals, extractions and out-of-hospital anesthetic coverage.

 

Providers:

Dentists, Non-Dentists

 

Therapeutic Responsibility:

Dentists, Non-Dentists

 

Compensation:

Fee-for-service

 

How it Works:

Public health dental staff provides dental screening in all publicly funded elementary schools annually. Dental screening is a quick (30 - 60 second) visual assessment using a sterilized mirror and a light. If a dental problem is detected during this screening, or if your child would benefit from receiving preventive services, the dental team will notify you via a note home with your child or a telephone call. Alternatively parents/caregivers can call their local public health unit to arrange for a dental screening, or to find out more about public health dental programs.

 

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