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Community Oral Health Service l Taranaki

General Dentist Service, Community

Description

In Taranaki free basic dental care for children/tamariki and youth/rangatahi (aged 0-17) is provided by Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Community Oral Health Service and contracted dentists.

Basic dental care includes:

  • Examination and dental X-rays, if necessary
  • Oral health advice and encouragement for good oral health
  • Preventative treatment, such as topical fluoride and fissure sealants (protective coatings)
  • Restorations (fillings), stainless steel crowns and extractions

Children/Tamariki can be enrolled for free dental visits from birth. It is important to look after baby teeth as decay can affect eating, speech, development and may even affect adult teeth. As children grow regular dental care helps to keep teeth healthy and means issues can be recognised and treated early. Free dental care continues for youth/rangatahi until their 18th birthday; regardless of whether they attend a school or not.


Children/Tamariki requiring treatment that cannot be provided by the Community Oral Health Service (COHS) are referred to either a private dentist or the Taranaki Base Hospital Dental Unit.

Basic dental care does not include:

  • Orthodontic treatment, including the extraction of teeth for orthodontic purposes. If you are considering orthodontic treatment for your child, the Dental Council have developed an information sheet and video to help you understand your options
  • Tooth whitening
  • Accident (ACC) related dental treatment

Care will not be free if you chose a dentist who does not have a contract with the COHS. For a list of contracted dentists click here.

Ages

Youth / Rangatahi, Child / Tamariki

How do I access this service?

Contact us

Fees and Charges Categorisation

Free, Partial fees apply

Fees and Charges Description

If your child requires specific dental treatment that our therapists cannot provide, a referral to a contracting dentist for free treatment may be provided.  Please note that if sedation is required, there may be costs associated with this. 

Government Funded/Subsidised Dental Care

Children

Free dental care to children from birth through to the end of school year 8 (second year of intermediate school).

How to enrol a child for dental care : from 0-12 years ( Year 8)
  • Phone 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583) and follow the prompts
  • Click here for more information on how to care for children’s teeth and protect their smile for life

The community oral health service staff will contact you by phone or text. If the time does not suit, please contact the clinic to change the appointment.

Government funded dental clinics for 0 - 12 years (Year 8)

CLINICS

PHONE 

Te Henui Dental Clinic
74 Mangorei Rd, Strandon.
By Scotland’s Boarding Hostel NPGHS

06 757 3405

Rangiatea Dental Clinic
131 South Road, New Plymouth.
Between Spotswood College and Spotswood Primary School

06 751 3507

Manukorihi Dental Clinic
72 Manukorihi Road, Waitara. 
At Manukorihi Intermediate School.

06 754 8077

Inglewood Dental Clinic
33 Kelly Street, Inglewood.
At Inglewood Primary School.

06 756 8041

Stratford Dental Clinic
Stratford Health Centre.
Corner of Romeo and Miranda Streets, Stratford

06 765 8845

Hāwera Dental Clinic
Outpatient wing of the
Hāwera Hospital.
Hunter Street,
Hāwera

06 278 9882


­­­­­Opening hours vary between clinics. Call your clinic contact number or 0800 825 583 for further information.

Adolescents

Free dental care for adolescents from the beginning of year 9 (first year of high school) until their 18th birthday. How to enrol an adolescent for dental care: from Year 9-17 years of age

    • Contact a dentist on the list of dentists or in the Yellow Pages and ask if they offer free dental care to adolescents up until they are 18 years of age
    • Phone 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583) and follow the prompts

Disability Assistance

Wheelchair access

Document Downloads

  • Consent Form (PDF, 960.3 KB)

    Consent for Dental Examinations and Preventive Services

Contact Details

This page was last updated at 9:53AM on July 16, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Community Oral Health Service l Taranaki.