School Dental Service

Changes to school dental services in 2009 The School Dental Service provides free basic care for children, from 2 -13 years of age, from selected school sites. The service uses a combination of both mobile dental clinics and many of the traditional dental clinics located on some school grounds to provide a service from more than 160 school sites annually. The dental clinics, which open on a rotational basis, are predominantly staffed by dental therapists with help from dental assistants. The service has strong links with dentists and hospital-based dental services.  The staff also maintain links with public health nurses, dietitians and health promoters, to provide a holistic approach to oral care.

What we offer

A focus on improving children’s oral health through regular assessment combined with education, prevention, treatment and referral to maintain and improve oral health:

• regular checks
• preventative options including applications of fluoride, fissure sealants, cleaning of teeth and advice on home care
• routine treatments including white fillings, amalgam fillings, extraction (removal) of baby teeth
• referral to other services such as dentists and hospital services
• services available at some sites: 
• x-rays to aid diagnosis
• stainless steel crowns.

2009 Year Planner

Age

It is recommended that children have their first dental check soon after reaching 2 years of age.  Parents of younger children may access services if they have particular concerns. We may visit an early childhood centre near you.

Adolescent care

Phone 0800 487 3733 for dentists who can provide care for 13 – 18 year olds.

Hours of service

8.30am - 4pm Monday - Friday (during school terms)

How to contact us

Make an appointment by contacting us:

• the phone numbers for individual schools are listed under the school name in the White pages phone book.
• many of the dental clinics are also listed in the Yellow Pages.
• alternatively, simply contact Rural and Community Services on (07) 859 9160 to find out which clinic is open in your area.

Enrolment forms and information on enrolment is available at many locations including:

• Plunket
• early childhood centres
• doctor’s surgeries
• local schools
• dental clinics
• B4 school check.
  

Services outside of hours, school holidays & emergency care

The service operates during the school day and over school terms. For emergency care during school holidays, or outside of clinic hours please contact your family dentist.

Certain clinics may be open during the holidays in a location near you.

Helping you 

We are here to assist the population achieve good oral health for all, for life. We will achieve this by focusing on prevention, as well as treating decay and referring children to other services.

Please support the service to improve oral health for your child by:

1. keeping sugary foods for mealtimes
2. encouraging your child to brush regularly with a fluoridated toothpaste
3. encouraging your child to drink plain water and milk
4. enrolling your child for regular checkups from 2 years of age
   
5. supporting the fluoridation of water supplies.

Future plans

The service has exciting plans to re-orientate oral health services by building new dental clinics that are permanently open and strategically located to make access easy. In addition, the number of mobile dental units will be increased so that needy areas have easy access to oral health services.

Interested in dental therapy as a career?

We know its great.  Check it out by contacting your local school dental clinic. Auckland University of Technology and the University of Otago both provide dental therapy undergraduate courses

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