From age 0 to Year 8 (last year of intermediate school) dental care is provided by dental therapists in a school or community dental clinic. Dental therapists provide routine dental care and oral health education to under 18 year olds. Procedures they may perform include delivering local anaesthetics, fillings, primary tooth extraction, professional cleans, fissure sealants and fluoride applications. If care is beyond their scope of practice the dental therapist will refer to an appropriate dentist or specialist dentist.

From the first year of high school to age 18 dental care is provided by private dentists that are contracted by District Health Boards (DHBs). Click here to find a provider near you.

To enrol your child in a free dental service call 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583) or for more information view the Ministry of Health Lets Talk Teeth website

Note: Orthodontic care and tooth whitening is not free for under 18 year olds. Accidents are covered by ACC.