Updated August 2026, Current Ontario ESA and CPSO telemedicine standards.
Need a sick note in Ontario? MedLetter provides official physician-signed documentation for $49 with same-day delivery. No walk-in clinic visit needed — submit your request in 2 minutes and receive your note by email. Valid for employers, universities, and insurance across Ontario.
Dental Emergencies and Work
Severe dental pain, abscesses, and post-extraction complications can make it impossible to work. Dental conditions absolutely qualify for sick leave in Ontario. When you are dealing with excruciating tooth pain, focusing on your job duties becomes nearly impossible, and attempting to work through it can sometimes exacerbate the issue or delay necessary treatment.
When You Need a Sick Note
- Severe toothache preventing concentration
- Dental abscess (medically dangerous)
- Post-extraction complications
- Jaw surgery recovery
- Dental trauma from accidents
Can Your Employer Refuse?
No. Under Ontario's ESA, sick leave covers any illness or injury including dental conditions. Employers must respect your need to recover from dental emergencies just as they would for any other medical issue.
Dental vs. Medical Documentation
Some employers prefer physician documentation. A physician can address broader health impacts of dental conditions. While a dentist can provide a note specifically about the dental procedure, a physician can evaluate how the pain, infection, or medication affects your overall ability to perform your job safely and effectively.
Getting Documentation
MedLetter's CPSO-registered physicians provide sick notes for dental emergencies same day. Our online process means no clinic visit needed. You can New sick-note requests are temporarily paused while we review our service. We are not accepting new orders at this time. to receive your documentation quickly and securely.
The Urgency of Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies often strike without warning. You might wake up on a Sunday morning with a swollen jaw, or experience sudden, severe pain late in the evening when dental clinics and traditional walk-in clinics are closed. In these urgent scenarios, you might find yourself calling in sick on Monday morning without a note in hand.
Perhaps your boss is demanding a note by tomorrow, or you've already missed a shift and need retroactive documentation. When you are in severe pain, the last thing you want to do is sit in a crowded waiting room for hours. This is where virtual healthcare services become invaluable, providing rapid access to documentation when you need it most.
Ontario Employment Standards: Your Rights
Under Ontario's Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), employees are entitled to 3 unpaid sick days per year (some employers offer paid days). Important provisions:
- Employers cannot require a doctor's note for ESA-protected sick days as of January 2024 (Working for Workers Act amendments)
- The Ontario Human Rights Code requires employers to accommodate medical conditions to the point of undue hardship
- Federally regulated employees in Ontario get 10 paid sick days under the Canada Labour Code
- Many Ontario employers (including Shopify, TD Bank, RBC, Amazon, Loblaws, and government agencies) still request notes as a matter of company policy (distinct from legal requirement)
Statistics: Healthcare Access in Ontario
According to Ontario Health and Statistics Canada (2025-2026):
- 2.3 million Ontarians lack a regular family doctor or nurse practitioner
- Average emergency room wait time in Ontario: over 4 hours for non-urgent cases
- Walk-in clinic wait times in the GTA: 1.5-3 hours on average
- Ontario has the lowest physician-to-population ratio of any large province
Practical Steps for Ontario Employees
1. Know the ESA - Your your employer faces consequences for penalizing you for taking your 3 statutory sick days
2. Check your employment contract - Many Ontario employers (including Shopify, TD Bank, RBC, Amazon, Loblaws, and government agencies) offer 5-10 paid sick days beyond the ESA minimum
3. Unionized workers - OPSEU, CUPE, and Unifor contracts typically provide 12-18 paid sick days annually
4. Document everything - Keep a record of when you called in and who you spoke to
5. Accommodation requests - If you have a chronic condition, consider requesting formal workplace accommodation under the OHRC
Local Ontario Context
Whether you work for a major corporation like Shopify, TD Bank, or RBC in downtown Toronto, or you are employed by the Ontario Public Service, TTC, OPG, or Amazon warehouses in cities like Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, London, Kitchener, or Windsor, the rules remain consistent. The ESA and OHRC apply across the province, ensuring that your rights are protected regardless of your specific location or employer.
When a Sick Note May Not Be Required
Under Ontario law, while the ESA provides some protection for short absences, smart employees still get documentation for:
- Your 3 annual ESA sick days (Working for Workers Act, 2024)
- Family responsibility leave (up to 3 days)
- Bereavement leave (up to 2 days)
- Domestic or sexual violence leave
What Employers Need to Know
Canadian employment law balances employer interests with employee privacy:
- Employers can request confirmation of illness but not specific diagnoses
- The note should state: dates of absence, that the employee was/is unfit for duties, and expected return date
- Employers cannot contact the physician directly without employee consent
- Requiring a note for every single-day absence may constitute harassment in some jurisdictions
Cost Considerations for Employers
- Walk-in clinic notes cost employees $20-50 and require 2-4 hours away from work
- Virtual sick notes reduce time away from work to minutes
- Some employers reimburse sick note costs as a best practice
- The cost of replacing a sick employee for a day far exceeds the cost of documentation
Comparing Sick Note Options in Ontario
| Feature | Traditional Walk-in Clinic | MedLetter Online Service |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $20 - $50+ (often not covered by OHIP) | $49 flat fee |
| Time Required | 2 - 4 hours (including travel and waiting) | Minutes (online assessment) |
| Convenience | Requires leaving home while sick | 100% online from home |
| Delivery Speed | Immediate upon seeing doctor (after waiting) | Same-day delivery |
| Physician Status | CPSO-registered | CPSO-registered |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a sick note online in Ontario?
Yes. CPSO-licensed physicians can assess patients through virtual consultations and issue legally valid sick notes accepted by Ontario employers (including Shopify, TD Bank, RBC, Amazon, Loblaws, and government agencies).
How much does an online sick note cost in Ontario?
MedLetter charges a flat $49 for a sick note with same-day delivery. This includes the physician assessment and official documentation.
Will my Ontario employer accept an online sick note?
Yes. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario recognizes virtual care. Online sick notes are legally equivalent to in-person notes.
How long does it take to get a sick note from MedLetter?
Most sick notes are delivered within 2-6 hours of submission. Same-day delivery is standard.
What if my employer insists on knowing my specific dental diagnosis?
Under Ontario privacy laws and the Ontario Human Rights Code, your employer is not entitled to know your specific diagnosis. They only need confirmation that you are medically unfit to work and the expected duration of your absence.
Can I use a sick note for a retroactive absence if I couldn't get to a clinic over the weekend?
Yes, physicians can issue retroactive sick notes if the clinical history supports that you were incapacitated during that time. This is especially useful for sudden dental emergencies that occur outside of regular clinic hours.
Does OHIP cover the cost of a sick note?
No, OHIP does not cover the cost of third-party medical forms or sick notes. This is an uninsured service, which is why clinics and online services charge a fee.
Related: Sick Note Ontario, Complete City Guide | Ontario Sick Note Cost 2026 | Understanding ESA Sick Days