ARDS School Dental Service

General Dentist Service

Description

To our Auckland whānau

This letter is to inform you about the service delivery for the Children’s Community Dental Service (Auckland Regional Dental Service).

During Level 3, there were national restrictions on the health services able to be offered to minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19. This included restrictions on routine dental treatments and check-ups. Because of this, we have now commenced our COVID-19 Recovery Plan. This means we need to firstly offer appointments to children who have been identified as requiring treatment and those waiting the longest for their routine examination. We also offer an acute service for any child who is experiencing dental pain. In addition, during the transition to Level 2 there may be some restrictions in the range of dental treatments that we are able to provide.

We apologise in advance for the delays this will cause for some children who are due a routine check-up. Please be assured that we will contact you as soon as we are able to offer your child an appointment with our service.

In the meantime, if your child is in pain or you have immediate concerns with their teeth, please phone 0800 TALK TEETH (0800-8255-83384). Alternatively, find the direct dial of your nearest clinic here. Our staff will be available to discuss your concerns with you directly, and will offer your child an appointment if required.

Kind regards,
The Children’s Community Dental Service.

Auckland Regional Dental Service (ARDS)
The Auckland Regional Dental Service (ARDS) provides free dental services to children aged 0-17 years (up to their 18th birthday). We operate from different types of facilities across the greater Auckland area comprising fixed clinics, transportable dental units and dental vans.

Birth to Year 8
ARDS School Dental Service provides free dental assessments and care from birth to children up to Year 8 (Form 2). See the list of dental clinics on the left of this page and click here for information about mobile van locations.

Adolescent Dental Care
Free dental care is provided for adolescents from Year 9 until their 18th birthday by contracted dental practices. Regardless of whether adolescents are at school, in paid employment or not, they are still entitled to free dental services. For more information about adolescent dental care or to find a dental practice who provides funded dental care near you please click here or phone 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583).

Enrolment
All babies born in Auckland's main hospitals are automatically enrolled/registered with the Auckland Regional Dental Service. Once registered your child will be invited to a dental appointment when they are about 1 year old.

If your child was not born in an Auckland hospital, is new to Auckland or new to New Zealand we may not have them enrolled/registered on our database.

To enrol/register your child please complete the ARDS Registration form below (see Referral Process), phone 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583), or contact one of our dental facilities.

For more information about us, our locations and contact numbers please visit our website here.

Languages Spoken

English

Government Funded/Subsidised Care

Birth to Year 8 (Form 2)

Referral Process

Enrolment
All babies born in Auckland's main hospitals are automatically registered with the Auckland Regional Dental service. You will receive a welcome text and your child will be invited to a dental appointment when they are about 1 year old.

If your child is new to Auckland or new to New Zealand they may not be registered with us. To enrol/register your child please complete the ARDS Dental Registration Update E-form found below, phone 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583) or contact one of our dental facilities.

Pre-school child (0-5 years):

Children born in an Auckland hospital will be automatically enrolled on our database.
You can check by contacting one of our dental clinics or 0800 number.
You will receive your first appointment when your child is about 1 year old.

School children:

School age children who have been enrolled as a pre-school patient will be automatically transferred to their school roll.
If your child has not been previously enrolled at a clinic you may receive an enrolment pack from the Dental Clinic.
School age children may be seen at school in a variety of ways on the Dental Van, on a Transportable Dental Unit or at a Fixed Clinic.

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/Oral Health Therapist at your ARDS clinic or call: 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583)

ARDS Dental Registration and Update Details Form (PDF, 329.2 KB)
Send completed form to
Private Bag 93115
Henderson 0650

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

Conditions and Treatments

General Check up

General Dental Check
Your child's first dental appointments should start when they are about 1 year old.… More
Dental Caries (Dental Cavities, Tooth Decay)

Dental caries (dental cavities, tooth decay) is the most prevalent oral disease.… More
Fillings

Filling materials for teeth
The Auckland Regional Dental Service (ARDS) uses four different types of material for filling teeth; we choose the best material based on the following:… More

Charges

The Auckland Regional Dental Service (ARDS) provides FREE dental examinations, oral health education, x-rays and treatment to children from birth to Year 8 (Form 2) once enrolled/ registered with us.

Adolescent dental care (From Year 9) is mainly provided by contracting dentists. For more information about adolescent care or to find a contracting dentist near you please click here

Please Note: if you are not a NZ citizen or a NZ permanent resident you may not be eligible for publicly funded health care. To check if you are eligible for free dental care please go to www.moh.govt.nz/eligibility or contact the Eligibility assessment administrator 09 638-0302 ext 30706