HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Eligibility of children for free dental care
Te āheinga a ngā tamariki ki te manaakitanga ā-niho kore utu
A tamaiti (child) under the age of 18 years is eligible for free dental care if a parent, legal guardian or person applying to be their guardian or adoptive parent has the following immigration status.
- New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident (if staying 2 years in New Zealand).
- Work visa holder (if the visa allows them to be in New Zealand for 2 years or longer).
- Interim visa holder (application between visas but needs to be 2 years from time of arrival).
Tamariki (children) of parents who hold a student visa are not eligible until the parents get a work visa and have been in New Zealand for a total of 2 years.
Proof of eligibility
To prove eligibility, you need to provide the following.
- Evidence that the tamaiti is in the care of the adult. For example, a birth certificate, adoption papers or guardianship papers.
- Evidence of the parent's eligibility status. For example, a passport with resident visa, current work visa or interim visa letter.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Te Whatu Ora – Eligibility for publicly funded health services
Guide to eligibility for publicly funded health and disability services.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed March 2025.
SourcesReview key: HIDCC-49010
