Adolescent oral health service

Free dental care is available to teens from Year 9 to their 18th birthday from contracted dentists through the Adolescent Oral Health Service. Services include:

• one examination every year
• treatments for preventing or repairing dental caries (holes)
• advice on how to care for your own teeth

When an adolescent is approaching their 18th birthday, they are eligible for a second examination in a calendar year (as long as there are 9 months between appointments).

Exceptions in 2020-2021

Eligibility for free dental care for young people who turned 18 after 25 March 2020 has been extended until 25 March 2021. This means that if you turned 18 after 25 March and have not had an oral health examination (and any associated treatment) since your 17th birthday you can still have an appointment up until 25 March 2021.

The extension was made because people who turned 18 after 25 March 2020 may have been unable to access dental care before their 18th birthday due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

This extension does not apply to 18 year-olds who have already completed a course of treatment since 26 March 2020. Your usual provider will be made aware that treatment timeframe has been extended. If you do not have a provider or have any questions please contact your closest oral health service for advice. Contact details are listed below.

Enrolment process

Year 8 students and parents or caregivers will receive an enrolment form during their last year with the infant and children's oral health service. Older adolescents can enrol directly with their preferred dentist.

Helpful websites

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