HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Dental care for adults
While dental care in New Zealand is free for anyone aged under 18, after your 18th birthday you must pay for your own dental check-ups and most dental care by seeing a private dentist. You can find a private dentist on the West Coast on the Dental Council of New Zealand's website.
Tips for getting the most out of your dental care
- Always ask how much the treatment is likely to cost.
- Check to see if you can pay off the cost of treatment (you might be asked to fill in a credit application if you want to do this).
Seeing a dentist for regular check-ups will save you a lot of money and trouble, and will help to keep your teeth looking good and working well.
Toothache and urgent dental care
- If you need urgent dental care for a toothache, book in to see your regular dentist. WINZ beneficiaries may be eligible for up to $300 financial support or loan for emergency dental care. Discuss this with your dentist before starting treatment.
- Community Service Card holders can get subsidised emergency treatment through a number of private dentists. See Emergency dental care for low-income adults service for information about the service and to find a participating dental practice. Currently there are no participating dental practices on the West Coast, so you need to travel to Canterbury to use the service.
Accidents
If your teeth are damaged as result of an accident, see your normal dentist. ACC will pay for part of the treatment for teeth damaged in accidents but you will have to pay some of the cost. Phone 0800-101-996 for more information.
Information provided by the Canterbury DHB. Adapted by the West Coast DHB. Page created August 2015.
Review key: HIDCC-49010
