Find a doctor
Having a family doctor is important because they provide general health care for non-emergency medical conditions for you and your family. A family doctor, or general practitioner, is often the first medical person to identify and take care of a patient’s medical conditions. A family doctor will also provide a referral to specialists and order medical and laboratory tests when necessary.
Health Care Connect is a referral service for Ontario residents who do not have a family doctor. It connects people with family health-care providers who are accepting new patients.
Visit the Government of Ontario’s website to learn more.
Other options for finding a doctor locally include:
Find a dentist
Dentists are health-care practitioners who specialize in oral health. They can prevent, diagnose, and treat conditions for your mouth and teeth. In Ontario, most dental services are not covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Here are some ways that you can find a dentist in your community:
- The
online Find A Dentist directory, available from the Ontario Dental Association.
- The Yellow Pages of the local telephone book or by searching the Yellow Pages online at
Yellowpages.ca listed under “Dentists”.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit offers a no-cost dental program for children 17 and under who do not have access to any dental coverage and who meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Contact the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit for more information on the Healthy Smiles Ontario program:
Your Health Connection 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
www.simcoemuskokahealth.org
Find an alternative medicine practitioner
Alternative medicine is a term used to describe medical services and approaches to health care that are not part of the main health-care system in Canada. Some examples include acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy, reflexology, and traditional Chinese medicine. Many alternative medical services in Ontario are regulated health professions; however, there are costs associated with these services because they are not generally covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
Here are some resources to learn more about alternative medicine:
Alternative medical services are available in many communities. Ways to find an alternative medical practitioner include: