That night, while Leo slept, she searched online again: “Ontario works dental coverage — adult preventive care.” The page was unchanged. She closed the laptop and touched her swollen cheek.
The clinic was one of three in Hamilton that still accepted OW patients. She’d called 14 others. Not taking new patients. Not taking social assistance. The reimbursement is too low. When she finally got through here, the receptionist’s voice was clipped: “Emergency extractions only. No fillings. No root canals.” ontario works dental coverage
Maria knew what that meant. The molar wasn’t just aching; it was cracked. A filling would cost $200. A root canal, $1,200. An extraction under OW? Free. That night, while Leo slept, she searched online
“Maria Torres?” The dentist, a young woman with tired eyes, waved her in. She’d called 14 others
Leo held her hand. “Can we get ice cream now? Soft kind?”