To ensure that our Pakuranga College students are accessing the important oral health services available to them, The Tooth Group will be back on site again next week (w/c 20 November). Some helpful information regarding enrolling your child with The Tooth Group or your local provider is included below:
- Free dental care continues for all students throughout secondary school i.e., Year 9 until the age of 18.
- Adolescent dental care is provided by specific dental practices within communities and mobile dental services at high schools and colleges who have a contract with the District Health Board. If a dental provider does not have a contract with the DHB then the service will not be free.
- To receive free treatment your child is required to enrol with a dentist who holds a contract with the DHB in your area.
- The majority of dental work is free, but this does not include orthodontic work, or any treatments associated with orthodontics and treatments related to accidents. ACC will normally cover the treatment costs related to accidents.
- Regardless of whether adolescents are at school, in paid employment or not, they are still entitled to free dental services.
- The decision to register with a dental provider is and remains the decision of the parent or caregiver, and young person. The option at Pakuranga College is for parents/young people to either choose the school mobile dental provider OR select a dental practice who has a contract with Te Whatu Ora – Counties Manukau to provide this service. Both provide free services.
- For more information about enrolment, or to find a free adolescent dental care practice near you, please phone 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583).
