Look after your teeth whatever your age

Lift the lip (HYG0011). Good oral health is more than having good teeth and a nice smile – it is important for good health and wellbeing. Our teeth help us to eat, speak and are important for our self-esteem. Baby teeth also hold the space for adult teeth. Starting good dental health habits early has lifelong benefits.

Free dental care for under 18s

Free dental care is available to New Zealand children and teenagers until they turn 18. Tamariki and rangatahi should have their teeth checked regularly from two years of age. Call 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583) for more information.

Teenagers can have a free dental check-up from a local dentist if they are at school, on a course, working or looking for work.

The Community Dental Service provides free oral health services for all eligible children residing in the Canterbury and South Canterbury. Contact the Community Dental Service to enrol or to make an appointment (0800 846 983 or commdental[at]cdhb.health.nz)

Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini West Coast provides free dental services for children and adolescents throughout the West Coast. Contact the West Coast Oral Health Service for more information (03 769 7710 or 0800 825 583).

Download a brochure on the free dental care for under 18s in New Zealand.

Tips for a healthy smile

Brush morning and night with fluoride toothpaste – for 2 minutes is ideal. Children need help to clean their teeth until they are 8 or 9 years old.
Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste for children under 5 years, and a pea-sized amount for 6 years and over.
Swish the toothpaste | pēniho round your teeth before spitting it out. Don’t rinse your mouth with water. The small amount of fluoride toothpaste left around the teeth will help to protect them.
Adolescents and adults should also floss every day to keep teeth and gums healthy.
Have dental check-ups every 12 months.
Choose healthy, teeth-friendly foods.
Drink water and plain unflavoured milk.
Limit sugary foods and drinks – only have at meal times. Drink water afterwards.
Wear mouth guards when playing contact sports.
Get support to quit smoking and become smokefree.

Oral health support for under fives in South Canterbury

SmilingFaceChild Health New Zealand South Canterbury supports the Ministry of Health’s vision of good oral health for all, for life. The South Canterbury Child Nutrition and Oral Health Promoter works with the community to create environments that promote good oral health from an early age, including:

supporting South Canterbury education settings to promote good oral health;
co-ordinating the rollout of Te Hā o Aoraki | The Breath of Aoraki toothbrushing programme in South Canterbury education settings; and
working alongside other services to promote good oral health, such as Well Child Providers.

Oral health support for under fives in Canterbury

Staff at Te Mana Ora run a toothbrushing programme in Canterbury education settings.

Busy kaiako | teachers in early childhood settings now have a new place to support their oral health curriculum work, including activities, strategies and resources.

The Menemene Mai/Smile online oral health education toolkit is based on key messages that baby teeth matter, and the best ways to support healthy teeth is to brush them twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. The toolkit is the first of its kind in the South Island!

Menemene Mai was developed with and for kaiako by Canterbury DHB health promoters Jenni Marceau and Belinda Smith.

Barnardos Aotearoa and Health New Zealand partner in Christchurch to promote healthy smiles among tamariki

Barnardos Early Learning Services is thrilled to be working with the National Public Health Service (Health NZ) in Canterbury to launch the Waitaha Toothbrushing Programme in two early learning centres in Christchurch.

Te Puna Oraka and Hornby Pasifika early learning centres are embracing this initiative – particularly during a time when many whānau are struggling to meet the cost of basic needs. Initially, small groups of tamariki will receive toothbrushes and toothpaste to participate in activities focused on dental hygiene. As these groups gain confidence and establish routines, the initiative will expand to include more tamariki from the early learning centres.

“This is a fantastic initiative, which goes beyond daily toothbrushing and setting up good habits. It is also about breaking down some of the barriers for whānau in accessing dental care by bringing services to them, eliminating the cost of dental products, and empowering the whole whānau,” says Heather Taylor – General Manager Barnardos Early Learning and National Services.

The programme also includes the distribution of dental packs to the parents and caregivers of participating tamariki. Additionally, kaiako and National Public Health Service kaimahi at Te Mana Ora will engage in regular kōrero with whānau about oral hygiene during drop-off and pick-up times. Ongoing support from NPHS kaimahi will be available to to these centres and whānau for 12 months.

“Teeth brushing can be a challenging time for parents or caregivers, so we hope to provide guidance and tips to help tamariki brush their teeth properly and confidently. We are pleased to have the support of Barnardos Aotearoa in rolling out this programme,” says Laura Brown – Early Childhood Health Promotion Advisor for the National Public Health Service.

Dental special needs grants now available

People may be able to get financial assistance for dental treatment through a Special Needs Grant (SNG) paid for by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).

People can apply to receive an SNG when they or their dependent child or children have an immediate need for essential dental treatment.

If someone receives a Special Needs Grant for essential dental treatment, they don’t need to pay this money back. The maximum available amount is $1,000 in a 52-week period (except where exceptional circumstances exist). This will better support people in low-income households to meet their oral health needs. People will be also able to apply to receive more than one SNG for essential dental treatment.

Learn more about the Special Needs Grants for dental treatment, including exceptional circumstances and how to apply. You can also call Work and Income on 0800 559 009.