This opportunity is organized by the New Zealand Dental Association and Southern Cross Health Trust, provided by our valued NZDA volunteer dentists. If you have low income or benefits, we may be able to help you defray the cost of dental treatment, especially if it's urgent. If you have a Community Services Card, you may be able to get dental treatment through your local hospital. In New Zealand, dental treatment is not subsidized by the government once you are over 18 (unlike visits to the family doctor), which means that patients must pay the full bill for treatments.
The NZDA, in partnership with Southern Cross Health Trust, offers free treatment for low-income adults with high dental needs. You will go to a local organization that cares for children's dental health and they will guide you through what you need to know and do. One of the benefits of having health insurance that covers dental services is that it can offer a wide range of coverage for things like general and major treatments, and orthodontic work. If you need dental care due to an injury or accident, Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) covers some of the costs of your dental treatment.
If you need dental care after age 18 and you have a low income or have a disability, illness, or injury, you can seek help from the government. Dr. Rob Beaglehole, spokesman for sugary drinks for the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA), is outspoken. The Ministry of Health has advice on emergency dental care, including how to find a dentist after hours or how the local hospital can help.
Investing in health insurance or dental plan, through regular and more affordable payments, could help protect you against the impact of an unexpected and costly dental bill in the future. You may be able to receive publicly funded dental care if you are under 18, have a Community Services Card, or have a disability or medical condition. Good habits start early, and by supporting good oral health care from an early age, free dental services help reduce the risk of costly treatments being needed in the future.
