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Our goal is to improve oral health for adolescents, so they can enter adulthood with a confident, healthy smile.

There are a number of adolescent dental care providers (dentists contracted by Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand) that provide FREE* dental care for teenagers from Year 9 until their 18th birthday in your community.

*Free dental care does not include accident-related dental issues (covered under ACC), orthodontic treatment or teeth whitening. 

Enrolling with one of these dentists means your teenager is entitled to a dental exam every 12 months and basic treatments free of charge.

If your teenager has not had a dental exam in the last 12 months, or requires urgent dental care, and they are:

  • Already enrolled with a free adolescent dental care provider, please contact their dentist directly. A list of providers and their contact numbers can be found here.
  • Not enrolled with a free adolescent dental care provider, please choose a dentist from the adolescent dental care provider list and contact them directly to enrol your teenager and book an appointment for them.

If you require further assistance, please call the Adolescent Oral Health Coordinator on (04) 570 9273 or email Adolescent_Oral_Health@huttvalleydhb.org.nz

 

Starting College?

If your child is currently in Year 8, this is the last year they will have their dental check at a Bee Healthy Dental Clinic or Mobile Van. At the beginning of Year 9, your child’s dental care will be transferred to an adolescent dental care provider, this may include your current family dentist.

  The transfer process is easy:

  • In year 8, your child will bring home a letter with the name of an approved adolescent dental provider they have chosen to continue their dental care from year 9 until they turn 18 years old (this is done with the support of their Bee Healthy dental therapist).
  • You may change to another approved adolescent dental provider or, to your current family dentist, by calling 04 570 9273 or emailing Adolescent_Oral_Health@huttvalleydhb.org.nz, and leaving your child's name, date of birth and the name of the provider you have chosen. If your current family dentist is not listed in the directory, your child’s dental care may not be free. Please discuss with your dentist.
  • Once you and your child are happy with the provider you have chosen… it’s all done! You will be contacted by your new dental provider at the start of year 9 to enrol with their practice and book an appointment.

 

New to the Greater Wellington Region?

Contact one of the dentists on this list directly to enrol your child to receive free dental care from Year 9 until 18th birthday.

No longer at school?

Dental care is still FREE until your child's 18th birthday even if they are no longer at school. If they not already enrolled with an approved adolescent dental provider, contact one of the dentists on this list to enrol with them directly.

 

Dental care for those 18 year olds and over

You have to pay privately for the majority of dental services if you are 18 years and over. It’s important to remember that there is no fixed fee or recommended fee structure for private dentists. Dental practices set their fees based on various factors such as:

  • the location of the practice
  • whether it is a specialist or general dental practice
  • whether there are advanced equipment or techniques used to provide treatment.

If cost affects whether or not you can see a dentist, we recommend that you shop around and ask about the fees for the services and treatment you require.

Dental services funded for adults

A limited range of dental services are funded for some adults.

  • People with disabilities or medical conditions such as mouth cancer may be referred to a hospital for their dental treatment by their usual dental practitioner or GP.
  • People on low incomes who have a Community Services Card may be able to get emergency dental care, such as pain relief or extractions.

These services are provided by public hospitals or dentists contracted by your district health board. You may still need to pay some of the treatment cost.

People on the benefit or low incomes support requiring immediate and urgent dental treatment through a private dentist may be able to apply for financial support to cover the cost treatment up to $1000 through Work and Income. For more information visit: www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/health-and-disability/dental-treatment.html