{"id":2957,"date":"2025-04-01T19:14:04","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T19:14:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/?p=2957"},"modified":"2025-04-01T19:14:04","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T19:14:04","slug":"april-is-oral-health-month-a-great-time-to-focus-on-your-smile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/?p=2957","title":{"rendered":"April is Oral Health Month: A Great Time to Focus on Your Smile!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"\" data-start=\"70\" data-end=\"409\">As part of <strong data-start=\"81\" data-end=\"102\">Oral Health Month<\/strong>, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is encouraging residents to prioritize their oral health and take advantage of the free resources available this month. Good oral health is essential to a healthy lifestyle, and this month is the perfect time to &#8220;brush up&#8221; on the benefits of maintaining a bright, healthy smile.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"411\" data-end=\"469\">Free Dental Screenings &amp; Fluoride Varnish Applications<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"471\" data-end=\"762\">Throughout April, OPH is offering <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ottawapublichealth.ca\/en\/public-health-topics\/dental-health.aspx#Free-Dental-Screenings\"><strong data-start=\"505\" data-end=\"531\">free dental screenings<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"536\" data-end=\"569\">fluoride varnish applications<\/strong><\/a> \u00a0for individuals of all ages across various locations in Ottawa. These services are provided by trained <strong data-start=\"673\" data-end=\"694\">dental hygienists<\/strong> who are ready to help you better understand your oral health needs.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"764\" data-end=\"801\">Enroll in Helpful Dental Programs<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"935\">OPH also supports residents with <strong data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"873\">enrollment in key dental programs<\/strong> designed to reduce the cost of dental care. Programs include:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"937\" data-end=\"1394\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"937\" data-end=\"1048\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"939\" data-end=\"1048\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontario.ca\/page\/services-covered-by-healthy-smiles-ontario\">Services covered by Healthy Smiles Ontario | ontario.ca<\/a> \u2013 Available for children and youth under 18 from low-income households in Ontario.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1049\" data-end=\"1168\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1051\" data-end=\"1168\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontario.ca\/page\/dental-care-seniors\">Dental care for seniors | ontario.ca<\/a> \u2013 For low-income seniors aged 65 and older who have no other dental benefits.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1169\" data-end=\"1394\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1171\" data-end=\"1394\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/services\/benefits\/dental\/dental-care-plan\/qualify.html\">Canadian Dental Care Plan &#8211; Do you qualify &#8211; Canada.ca<\/a> \u2013 Available for Canadians under 18, seniors 65+, and adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate, whose adjusted family net income is under $90,000 and who do not have dental insurance.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1396\" data-end=\"1496\">Eligibility for these programs varies, so it\u2019s important to check the details to see if you qualify.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"1498\" data-end=\"1525\">Learn About Oral Health<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1527\" data-end=\"1620\">Throughout the month, follow OPH&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/parentinginottawa\">Facebook<\/a>\u00a0for helpful tips on:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1621\" data-end=\"1897\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1621\" data-end=\"1671\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1623\" data-end=\"1671\">The importance of the first visit to the dentist<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1672\" data-end=\"1718\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1674\" data-end=\"1718\">How to make brushing fun (and not a battle!)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1719\" data-end=\"1829\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1721\" data-end=\"1829\">The benefits of visiting a registered dental hygienist for free screenings and fluoride varnish applications<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1830\" data-end=\"1897\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1832\" data-end=\"1897\">General oral health tips to keep your smile healthy and sparkling<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"1899\" data-end=\"1926\">Why Oral Health Matters<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1928\" data-end=\"2191\">Oral health is integral to our overall well-being. Good dental habits can have a significant impact on both your physical and mental health. From avoiding tooth decay to preventing gum disease, maintaining your oral health contributes to a better quality of life.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"2193\" data-end=\"2207\">Learn More<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2209\" data-end=\"2436\">For more information about <strong data-start=\"2236\" data-end=\"2257\">Oral Health Month<\/strong> and to access resources on dental care in Ottawa, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ottawapublichealth.ca\/en\/public-health-topics\/dental-health.aspx\">Dental Health Services &#8211; Ottawa Public Health<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2209\" data-end=\"2436\">Let\u2019s all take time this April to focus on oral health and the big impact it has on our lives!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>April is Oral Health Month, and Ottawa Public Health is offering free dental screenings, fluoride varnish applications, and helpful resources to promote good oral health for all ages.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2958,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth.png",493,356,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth.png",493,356,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth.png",493,356,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth-300x217.png",300,217,true],"large":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth.png",493,356,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth.png",493,356,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth.png",493,356,false],"inforward-post-grid":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth.png",493,356,false],"inforward-full":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth.png",493,356,false],"inforward-post-full":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth.png",493,356,false],"inforward-related-posts-image":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth-230x150.png",230,150,true],"inforward-portfolio-small-image":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth-360x260.png",360,260,true],"inforward-portfolio-big-image":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth.png",493,356,false],"inforward-testimonial":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth-263x263.png",263,263,true],"inforward-events-slider":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth-493x300.png",493,300,true],"woocommerce_thumbnail":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth-300x300.png",300,300,true],"woocommerce_single":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth.png",493,356,false],"woocommerce_gallery_thumbnail":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth-100x100.png",100,100,true],"rt_custom":["https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/teeth.png",493,356,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Andrea Shane","author_link":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/?author=3"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/?cat=18\" rel=\"category\">News<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"April is Oral Health Month, and Ottawa Public Health is offering free dental screenings, fluoride varnish applications, and helpful resources to promote good oral health for all ages.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2957"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2957\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2960,"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2957\/revisions\/2960"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2958"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timtierneyottawa.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}