I need dental care but can’t afford it. What can I do?

“A limited range of dental services are funded for some adults.

• People with disabilities or medical conditions such as mouth cancer may be referred to a hospital for their dental treatment by their usual dental practitioner or GP.
• People on low incomes who have a Community Services Card may be able to get emergency dental care, such as pain relief or extractions.

These services are provided by public hospitals or dentists contracted by your district health board. You may still need to pay some of the treatment cost.” Manatu Hauora Ministry of Health

Work and Income New Zealand may also be able to assist those on low incomes who need emergency treatment.

To find out what may be available where you live, click on relevant link to public hospitals in your region. Type the keyword 'dental' into the search function.

Northern North Island

• Te Tai Tokerau
• Waitematā
• Te Toka Tumai Auckland
• Counties Manukau

Te Manawa Taki

• Waikato
• Lakes
• Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty
• Tairāwhiti
• Taranaki

Central North Island

• Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral
• Whanganui
• Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley
• Te Matau a Māui Hawke's Bay
• Wairarapa

Te Waipounamu

• Waitaha Canterbury
• Te Tai o Poutini West Coast
• Nelson Marlborough
• South Canterbury
• Southern

For more on the importance of dental health see: How important are my teeth? It's a cost issue for me.