Frequently Asked Questions

Introducing This Page

Dental care for pupils at Primary and Area Schools are changing and all children and parents will be affected.

Find out the answers to questions often asked by our young patients and parents

Questions and Answers

Why are School Dental Services Changing?

The way dental services are delivered to children 0-18 years across New Zealand is changing. The Government's national oral health strategy 'Good oral health for all, for life' sets a clear picture for the delivery of services which are preventative, community based, and include parental involvement in the service delivery.

What new services will be provided?

The community model of preventive dental care will include oral health education and increasing access to topical fluoride services. The services will be provided on an appointment basis to ensure parents can be involved in their child's oral health treatments.

Why is it important for parents to attend appointments?

Parents are an integral part of a preventative model of service. A benefit of this is that parental consent can be given on the spot and treatment can be completed in a single visit. It also provides an opportunity for parents to discuss their child's oral health and what they can do to prevent tooth decay.

What if I can't attend an appointment with my child?

Parents will be given plenty of notice of their child/ren(s) appointment time, so that if for any reason they are unable to attend an appointment an alternative time can be made.  The service will be working to put flexibility and choice around appointment times to make it easier for parents to accompany their children to an appointment.

Why are the facilities changing?

Our review of the School Dental Facilities found that none of the clinics on the West Coast were up to the new National Standards for the dental clinics.

Why are all the school clinics not being upgraded?

The Ministry of Health guidelines allow for District Health Boards to apply for funding for the minimum number of facilities required to deliver services to the population. For the West Coast this means the upgrading of three fixed clinics, in Hokitika, Greymouth and Westport and two mobile dental units.

Where will my child access service from?

Where your child accesses services from will depend on where you live.

Preschool and primary school children will access fixed clinic locations for services in Westport and Hokitika, which will be located at Hokitika Primary and Westport North Schools.

In Greymouth children will be serviced from either a mobile facility located at Cobden School or a fixed clinic which during 2010 will be located at Grey Main School.  The location of the clinic may change from 2011 depending on the suitability of the Grey Main School clinic to be upgraded to meet new standards for dental facilities.

In rural areas, with the exception of a few schools where there are a very small number of students, services will be provided for both preschool and primary school children from mobile treatment facilities.  Adolescents in rural areas will have a choice of accessing service on school sites or through private dentists.

Service Arrangements by School