Visiting a dentist
A range of basic preventive, treatment and specialist dental services are available to children and adolescent up until 18 years age. A limited range of services for adults is publicly funded. The main publicly funded services are outlined below.
Children up to age 13
Dental education, preventive and basic treatment services are provided free of charge to pre-school and primary school age children. Parents can enrol their children directly or referrals can be made by Well Child providers or general practitioners.
Dental therapists provide most services and dentists provide more specialised treatment if necessary. Dental assessments and treatments usually take place in community-based clinics, often located on school sites, or in mobile dental units. Some treatments are not free, such as orthodontics (such as braces).
See the Let’s Talk Teeth website for more information on child and adolescent services, and contact 0800 TALKTEETH (0800 825 583) for enrolment information.
Adolescents – up to age 18
A range of free basic dental services is funded for adolescents until their 18th birthday. Services are usually provided by private dentists who are contracted by the local district health board to provide free services for adolescents. Dental therapists will normally provide enrolment information at the end of primary school, or adolescents can enrol directly with a contracted dentist
See the Let’s Talk Teeth website for more information on child and adolescent services, and contact 0800 TALKTEETH (0800 825 583) for enrolment information.
Special-needs dentistry
Children and adults with special medical needs (such as cleft palate) or disabilities which make them unable access normal dental services or who require dental treatment as part of other treatment (such as for head or neck cancer) can receive free hospital dental services. Part-charges apply for outpatient services, but services are free where a patient needs to be admitted (for example, if they need a general anaesthetic).
Referrals are usually made by dental therapists, private dentists, or general practitioners.
Emergency dental services for adults
Emergency pain relief and extractions are provided through hospital dental departments, or by contracted private dentists. These services are usually restricted to people on low incomes (usually demonstrated by having a Community Services Card). Part charges may apply. Contact the hospital dental outpatient service (see local telephone book).
Basic dental services for low-income adults
In some regions, district health boards fund a range of basic dental treatment services for eligible people on low incomes (usually demonstrated by having a Community Services Card). Part charges may apply. Contact the hospital dental outpatient service (see local telephone book).
Work and Income New Zealand also provide financial assistance for urgent dental treatment. Contact your local WINZ office for more information
Dental treatments for injury
Dental treatment needed due to injury or accident is funded for all people in New Zealand is funded and managed through the Accident Compensation Corporation. Contact your local ACC office for more information.
Page last updated: 02 June 2011
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