Hospital dental services

The Nelson Hospital and Wairau Hospital dental departments provide specialist oral health services including:

• treatment that requires a general anaesthesia (admission to hospital)
• treatment for people who need special care because of medical conditions or disabilities
• treatment for people with severe conditions that cannot be treated appropriately in private practice
• pain relief treatment for Community Services Card holders on referral by a health professional
• emergency services for trauma, severe orofacial infections and uncontrolled oral bleeding.

Our hospital dental departments do not routinely provide emergency toothache services. Please try your own dentist first (fees may apply).

If you are on a low income or benefit Work and Income may be able to help toward the cost of dental treatment, especially if its urgent.

Helpful websites

• Healthy Smiles website
• Sugar-sweetened beverages
• Ministry of Health: Teeth and gums
• Tap into water website.