Dental Care
At Totara Health Flaxmere we have our own community dental clinic for children up to 13 years old.
Children in New Zealand who meet the eligibility criteria for publicly funded health and disability services are entitled to FREE basic oral health services from birth to 17 years of age (until their 18th birthday). Community dental clinics cater for children aged up to 13 years of age.
It’s important to enrol your child for the service as early as possible so that you can arrange the first check-up. It’s easy to enrol - just call 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583).
Your child’s first visit will usually be between their 1st and 2nd birthdays. Dental staff will let you know the time of your appointment once you enrol.
Healthy teeth tips
- Your childs teeth need brushing twice a day – after breakfast and before bed with flouride toothpaste
- Once your child begins to write (around 5 years old), they should be able to brush their own teeth
- You’ll need to supervise brushing until your child is about 8 years old
- Avoid sugary drinks; stick to milk or water
Useful Links
For more detailed information about keeping your child's teeth healthy, visit the Ministry of Health website Opens in new window