Community Oral Health Service l Taranaki : Healthpoint

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.

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.

Basic dental services we provide:

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 baby teeth extractions

Basic dental services we do not provide:

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 - Parents/Guardians need to register all dental accidents with a private dental clinic

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.
If referred to a private Dentist contact one from the following list click here for free treatment. If sedation services are required with a private Dentist a part charge fee may apply.

Emergency Notification

There is currently a nationwide shortage of dental and oral health therapists in New Zealand, and unfortunately this has also affected Taranaki.

Although our Taranaki team is working hard and doing an amazing job across our region, our ability to cover all our Community Oral Health Dental Clinics is limited, therefore we do have children/tamariki on waitlists for check-ups and treatment.

We are concentrating on seeing the longest waiting children, along with the most urgent children who have pain and infections.

We want to reassure families/whānau waiting for oral health care that we can still help with your dental queries or concerns. Please contact your nearest clinic or phone 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583).

In the meantime, we thank our community for being patient and ask you to continue being kind to our staff as we mitigate these issues and deliver the best healthcare possible for families/ whānau in Taranaki.

Emergency Notification Expiration

13 January 2026

Fees and Charges Categorisation

Free

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
For more information on how to care for children’s teeth and protect their smile for life click the following link Caring for your child's first teeth

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 private dental practice on the list of dentists or in the Yellow Pages and ask if they offer free dental care to adolescents up until the age of 18

Disability Assistance

Wheelchair access

Website

www.tdhb.org.nz/services/cohs.shtml