New Model Of Oral Health Care

26 May, 2009

Associate Minister Of Health Attends Celebration Of New Model Of Oral Health Care

Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne, today in Ashburton, officially opened the first of 94 mobile dental surgeries that will be introduced as part of a nationwide upgrade of oral health services for New Zealand communities.

As well as opening the mobile clinic, Mr Dunne and Canterbury District Health Board Deputy Chair Dr Olive Webb, also officially opened Canterbury’s first community dental clinic at the Oakgrove Consulting Rooms at Ashburton Hospital.

CDHB will spend $13.3 million over the next three years upgrading its Community Dental Service for children at primary and intermediate school. The upgrade will see most of the region’s 120 school dental clinics replaced by 12 ‘multi-chair’ community clinics, supported by 18 campervan-style mobile clinics.

Sixteen of Canterbury’s 18 mobile clinics will visit schools in the CDHB area from Ashburton to Rangiora. The other two mobile clinics will provide a full range of dental treatment for children in rural areas, including the Hurunui district and the area on State Highway 72 from Oxford in North Canterbury to Mayfield in Mid Canterbury.

Under the new system, the mobile clinics will see children for check ups. If they need further dental work, such as fillings, children will attend one of 12 community clinics, which will be opened in stages over the next three years.

Work is beginning on other community dental clinics at Hillmorton in Christchurch and Kaiapoi and Rangiora. Other clinics will be located at Nga Hau E Wha National Marae, Woolston, Hornby, Burnside, Northcote and Lincoln. Sites for the clinics were chosen based on the areas with the highest need for dental care and after discussions with schools and other interested parties.

Community Dental Service Clinical Director Martin Lee said the Community Dental Service upgrade would improve oral health services for young people in Canterbury.

A review of the old school dental service had shown that it was often hampered by ageing equipment and buildings. The way the service was being delivered through the old school dental clinics also no longer met community needs.

Dental therapists working in the clinics were among the biggest advocates of the need for change, he said.

“We are very proud of this first new community dental facility in Canterbury. The old clinics were past their used by date and were more focussed on treating decay, rather than preventing it. The new clinics will allow us to focus more on preventative care and to improve the oral health of young people.”

All children under 18 in the CDHB area are eligible for free dental care. Once children reach high school, they are able to register with a private dentist who will provide free services until they are 18. “High school children will continue to be offered a comprehensive service by private dentists. Ashburton dentists provide a very good service for high school children,” Dr Lee said.

For more information, contact CDHB Communications Manager Michele Hider on 027 531 4796.

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