HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Subsidised dental care for adults on low incomes
Pūtea tāpiri mō te manaakitanga ā-niho mā ngā pakeke he iti noa te pūtea
This page summarises the options available for adults who need lower-cost dental care.
Work and Income (WINZ) emergency grant
If you're on a low income or benefit, you can apply for up to $1,000 a year (any 52-week period) to help pay for immediate and essential dental treatment. You do not have to pay this back.
This is income and asset tested and has other eligibility requirements. See Work and Income – Dental treatment for details.
Talk to your dentist about applying for the grant before you start the treatment.
Subsidised urgent care from a private dentist
Some private dentists have a contract with Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury to provide subsidised urgent care. To be eligible for subsidised urgent treatment, you must live in Canterbury or the West Coast and have a current Community Services Card.
Participating dental practices allow for a 30-minute visit. During this time, a dentist will assess your problem and provide any necessary dental treatment. If you need further treatment, you'll have to pay the dentist's usual fees for this.
If the dentist decides the condition doesn't meet the definition of a dental emergency, they will charge their usual fees.
You'll have to pay a co-payment of up to $40 for a visit under this scheme.
Participating dental practices
Practice name |
Address |
Phone number |
|---|---|---|
Colombo Street Dental |
201 Colombo St, Sydenham |
(03) 337-4596 |
Dentistry on Parkside |
80 Park St, Ashburton |
(03) 308-7472 |
Halswell Dental |
284 Halswell Rd, Halswell |
(03) 322-9577 |
Hornby Dental – Dr Daniel Chan |
5 Tower St, Hornby |
(03) 349-5059 |
Hoon Hay Dental Surgery |
14A Lincoln Rd, Spreydon |
(03) 338-9101 |
Kaikōura Dental Centre |
6A West End, Kaikōura |
(03) 319-5629 |
Redwood Family Dentists |
186 Main North Rd, Redwood |
(03) 352-6186 |
Richmond Dental |
45 North Avon Rd, Richmond |
(03) 389-5923 |
Dr Peter Van Kuijk |
129 Williams St, Kaiapoi |
(03) 327-7199 |
ACC treatment
If your teeth are damaged as a result of an accident, see your normal dentist or an after-hours dentist. ACC will pay for part of the treatment for teeth damaged in accidents, but you may have to pay some of the cost. Phone ACC on 0800-101-996, email them or see ACC dental injury for more information.
Relief of Pain Clinic at the Hospital Dental Service
Treatment for urgent dental problems is available for all New Zealand residents over the age of 65 and those on a Work and Income (WINZ) benefit.
You can refer yourself to this clinic, so you do not have to see your general practice team to get a referral. To book an appointment, phone (03) 364-0250. Appointments are available on Monday to Friday between 8 am and 5 pm.
The treatment is subsidised and costs up to $45 an appointment.
Hospital Dental Service
If you're a Work and Income beneficiary and you need all your teeth taken out or all your top teeth or bottom teeth taken out, you can ask a health professional to refer you to the Hospital Dental Service.
The service also provides subsidised care for adults with special needs or very complex medical problems that mean they can’t get dental care in the community.
University of Canterbury Student Association dental scheme
Students at the University of Canterbury can access the University of Canterbury Student Association’s subsidised dental scheme.
Charity Hospital
Work and Income (WINZ) beneficiaries living in Christchurch who have used up their funding for dental treatment are eligible for a free single course of treatment at the Canterbury Charity Hospital. You must be referred by a dentist, who will be able to decide if you qualify for this service.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed March 2022.
Review key: HIDCC-49010
