Warm greetings to our community

Kia ora, Talofa lava, Mālō e leilei, Kia orāna, Bula, Fakaalofa lahi atu

Welcome to 2022!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our communities for their ongoing patience as we have been re-establishing dental services for children across the greater Auckland region following significant service disruptions from the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2021.  We now have multiple clinics open across the Auckland region with mobile facilities planned to provide onsite dental care in schools. 

To ensure the ongoing health and safety of our children, whānau and staff we have the following procedures/practices in place:

• Strict cleaning procedures across our clinics.
• COVID-19 screening of the child, parent/caregiver prior to attending an appointment.
• Guidance will be provided on entering the clinic to ensure appropriate distancing is maintained.
• Masks are to be worn by all children over the age of 12 and their parent/caregiver on entering our clinics (masks are available at our clinics).
• We do not require evidence of a vaccine passport.

The impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on dental services has meant that we are now facing delays for children accessing dental care.  As part of a recovery plan, we will be prioritising dental appointments for:

• Children where dental treatment has been identified
• Children who may be experiencing pain
• Those children who have been waiting the longest for an examination.

As we work through this recovery plan, we ask that you please continue to be considerate with our staff who are doing their utmost to ensure dental care is provided to children identified with the highest needs first.

If your child is in pain or you have concerns about your child’s teeth, please phone 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583) to speak with one of our staff. 

The Children’s Community Dental Service.

Auckland Regional Dental Service (ARDS)
Free dental assessments and care are provided for children and adolescents in the greater Auckland area.

Birth to Year 8
The ARDS School Dental Service provides free dental services to children from birth to Year 8 who have been enrolled with the service. We operate from dental facilities across the greater Auckland area; these facilities include a mixture of fixed clinics, transportable dental units and dental vans. For more information about child dental care or to find a list of clinics near you please check our website here or phone 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583).

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 registered with the Auckland Regional Dental Service. 

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 here, phone 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583), or contact one of our dental facilities.