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.
Health811 also provides information on finding a local health care provider and more. You may search for a doctor or health care provider using different filters (languages, service area, accessibility, etc.)
Find a dentist
A Public Health Unit is a health agency that provides a wide range of programs and services carried out by specially qualified staff. Health units focus on promoting and protecting community health, and preventing disease, disability, and injury. They provide health promotion and prevention programs, and work with communities and individuals to ensure people live, work and play in healthy, safe and clean environments.
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
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 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.
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).
Alternative medical services are available in many communities. Ways to find an alternative medical practitioner include:
- The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors has an online searchable database.
- The North Simcoe Muskoka Healthline has an online directory, which covers most of the geographic region of Simcoe County.