Healthpoint (Home)

skip to content

Print this page

Quick Links

This page was last updated at 10:53AM on March 1, 2010

Scroll down for more information

Public Service

Auckland Regional Dental Service (ARDS)

Description

Free dental care is available for children aged 0 years to Year 8 (Form 2) by the school dental service. Dental care from Year 9 (Form 3) until their 18th birthday (adolescent dental service) is provided by a contracted dental provider.

 You can visit any ARDS clinic . Download the Clinics Open document for clinics available in your area.
 
School Dental Service
The Auckland Regional Dental Service (ARDS) provides free dental care for pre-school and school children at ARDS clinics in the greater Auckland area.  Mobile dental clinics may also be based at Kohanga Reo and Pacific Island Language Nests.
  
Adolescent Dental Service
Free dental care is also available from Year 9 (Form 3) until the 18th birthday, regardless of whether the adolescent is still at school or not. They are still entitled to free dental care if they are in paid employment. Not all dentists provide this service so it is important to attend a dentist who has a contract with the District Health Board to treat adolescent patients. For more information on adolescent dental care or to find a contracted dental provider please contact:

0800 Talk Teeth or 0800 8255 83

or go to

http://www.cmdhb.org.nz/Funded-Services/Oral-Health/adolescentdental.htm

Referral Expectations

Enrolment
You need to be enrolled with the Auckland Regional Dental Service to receive free dental care at one of our clinics.
 
To enrol your child for free dental care at one of our clinics you must complete an enrolment form. The completed form provides consent to an examination only.
  
Pre-school child (0-5 years):
  • by contacting the dental clinic at the school closest to your home address; these are listed in the phone book under the school name. The Dental Therapist will either take your details and contact you at a later date or may make an appointment straight away.
  • Plunket/PHO - they will ask you to fill out an enrolment form which allows the Dental Therapist to examine only. They will ensure that the form is sent to the ARDS administration office.
An initial appointment letter will be posted to you asking you to attend the ARDS dental clinic closest to your home address.
Most Pre-schoolers require 12 – 18 month visits to the ARDS dental clinic. In some cases where there may be a problem, the visits will be sooner.
 
School Children:
  • when a child enters school and is already enrolled as a pre-schooler, the process occurs automatically. The therapist will transfer the child from the pre-school roll to the school roll.
  • if the child has not been previously enrolled at that clinic you will receive an enrolment pack either from the school office or the Dental Clinic.
Signing the enrolment form allows the therapist to examine the child only – all treatments including cleaning must have parent/guardian consent.
If, at the time of examination, the therapist diagnoses treatment required, an Advice and Consent form will be issued stating the treatments required and asking for the medical history to be updated. Before any treatment is given this form must be signed and the medical history filled out.
 
Fact sheets are available on request for treatment/materials used in the Auckland Regional Dental Service.
 
You are welcome to attend any appointment with your child.
 
If you want to know more about what dental care and advice we provide, talk to the Dental Therapist at your ARDS clinic or call: 0800 Talk Teeth (0800 8255 83)
 

Document Downloads

Note: PDF downloads require the free Adobe Reader application to view.

Website

www.ards.co.nz

Location Information

Contact Details

Phone Freephone: 0800 Talk Teeth or 0800 8255 83
Fax (09) 839 0566
ARDS Administration Office:
(09) 839 0565
Pre-School Appointments:
(09) 839 0565
Adolescent Dental Coordination Service:
0800 Talk Teeth or 0800 8255 83

Street Address

Administration Office
Ground Floor, Snelgar Building
Waitakere Hospital
55-75 Lincoln Road
Henderson 0650
Waitakere City
Auckland

Postal Address

Auckland Regional Dental Service
Private Bag 93115
Henderson 0650
Waitakere City

Map & more information

Click here for a map and more information about this location.