The Community Dental Service provides free dental care for eligible children living in Canterbury and South Canterbury. We also help teens find a free family dentist. Pre-school children (0-4 years) have their teeth checked and treated in a Community Dental Clinic. We have 14 clinics throughout Canterbury. Our dental vans visit primary and intermediate schools to check children's teeth. School aged children visit a Community Dental Clinic if they need treatment.
To enrol your child, book an appointment, or update contact details, please call 0800 846 983 or email commdental@cdhb.health.nz
If your child is in pain, please contact us to book a Relief of Pain appointment. If we are unable to offer your child a Relief of Pain appointment, we will help you get an appointment at a family dentist for free.
The Community Dental Service provides free dental care for eligible children living in Canterbury and South Canterbury. Children ARE eligible for free dental care if they are a:
If you need to check eligibility, please visit the Ministry of Health website.
If you are new to Canterbury and contact us to enrol your child, we will ask for your child’s National Health Index (NHI) number. If you don’t know your child’s NHI number, we will ask you for more information (date of birth, full name, etc) which will help us find their NHI number.
To check your child is eligible for free care, you may be asked to scan and email your child’s passport and your visa documents, or citizenship certificate, to commdental@cdhb.health.nz
Interpreter Services are available for people who are deaf or do not speak English as their first language. The service is available 24 hours a day, is free of charge, and has a large number of languages available.
The service will be able to help with enrolling your child or booking an appointment. An interpreter may be able to attend an appointment with you.
Since May 2017, all babies born in Canterbury and South Canterbury, are enrolled at birth with the Community Dental Service, unless parent/caregiver declines.
All children should have their first dental check around 2 years of age.
Parents and caregivers can enrol their child by calling 0800 846 983 or emailing commdental@cdhb.health.nz
Your Well Child/Tamariki Ora Provider, Family Doctor or Public Health Nurse can also help with your child’s enrolment.
To enrol a teen in free dental care, contact a free family dentist. If you need more information you can contact the Adolescent Oral Health Coordinator, 0800 825 583 or freedentalcare@cdhb.health.nz
If you are new to Canterbury and would like to enrol a child, we will ask for your child’s National Health Index (NHI) number. If you don’t know your child’s NHI number, we will ask you for more information (date of birth, full name, etc) which will help us find their NHI number.
If you are unsure if your child can have free dental care, check our eligibility page.
To book an appointment for a pre-school or school aged child, please call 0800 846 983 or email commdental@cdhb.health.nz. You can book an appointment Monday—Friday, 8:45am—3:30pm, during the school term. You can book an appointment at any Community Dental Clinics.
If you have more than one child needing an appointment, you may be able to book a family appointment. A family appointment means your children can get seen at the same appointment.
After an appointment is booked, we will send you a text reminder. You should get a text the day before your appointment. The text will confirm the time and location of your child's appointment. If you are unable to make the appointment, please let us know, as we can reschedule your child's appointment.
Interpreter Services are available for people who are deaf or do not speak English as their first language. The service is available 24 hours a day, is free of charge and has a large number of languages available. The service will be able to help with enrolling your child or booking an appointment. An interpreter may be able to attend an appointment with you.
It’s not always easy getting to appointments. If you need a little help, please let us know as we may be able to put you in touch with a support service.
If your child is in pain, we may be able to offer you a Relief of Pain appointment. To book a Relief of Pain appointment please call 0800 846 983 or email commdental@cdhb.health.nz
Information for adults who have dental pain is on the Dental Department page.
Community Dental Service
Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury
PO Box 731
Christchurch
See our community dental clinic locations or see local dentists contact details under the Children 5 years - Yr 8 tab
Please note that you cannot "turn up" to a dental clinic. All patients need to be referred by their GP or another health professional, unless advised by the Community Dental Service.
Pre-school children have their teeth checked and treated in a Community Dental Clinic.
They should have their teeth checked each year and most will have their first dental check at 2 years of age. Parents and caregivers can bring their pre-schooler for an earlier visit if they have any concerns.
To enrol or book an appointment for a pre-schooler contact 0800 846 983 or commdental@cdhb.health.nz. You’ll need to let us know what clinic you’d like to visit, take a look at our dental clinic locations.
If you are new to Canterbury or unsure if your child is eligible for free care check our enrolment or eligibility page.
Note: If you are using an older browser and cannot see the video above, it can be viewed on vimeo.com instead.
Children at primary and intermediate school have their teeth checked in a dental van. Our dental vans visit all primary and intermediate schools in Canterbury and South Canterbury. Information about our visit will be in the school newsletter or on the school website.
If a child needs treatment, they will bring home a care plan. To book a treatment appointment for your child, call 0800 846 983 or e-mail commdental@cdhb.health.nz. You can choose which Community Dental Clinic to visit
At the end of Year 8 children leave the Community Dental Service and transfer to FREE Adolescent Dental Care. Please remind your child of your family dentist before the dental van visit. You will be advised of our visit in your school newsletter or on the school website. To check if your Year 8 has been transferred, call 0800 846 983 or email freedentalcare@cdhb.health.nz
To find a FREE dentist for Year 9 onwards visit the Teenagers page.
Free dental care for teenagers from Year 9 - 18th birthday. Free for teens who are at school, on a course, working or looking for work.
Find a FREE family dentist below
Most family dentists offer free dental care for teens. Find a free dentist below
Barrington | Beckenham | Bishopdale | Bryndwr | Burnside | Casebrook | Cashmere | Christchurch Central | Fendalton | Halswell | Hoon Hay | Hornby | Ilam | Linwood | Merivale | North New Brighton | Papanui | Phillipstown | Redcliffs | Redwood | Riccarton | Richmond | Shirley | Sockburn | Spreydon | St Albans | Strowan | Sydenham | Upper Riccarton | Waltham | Woolston | Yaldhurst
Ashburton | Broadfield | Darfield | Kaiapoi | Kaikoura | Lincoln | Pegasus | Prebbleton |Rangiora | Rolleston |
You can enrol your teen by phone, e-mail or visiting the family dentist. An enrolment form and medical consent form needs to be completed for your teenager. The dentist’s receptionist can help you or your teenager complete these forms.
You can book an appointment for your teen by phone, e-mail or visiting the family dentist. Some family dentists offer late night, weekend appointments, or the option to book online.
Teenagers who are a New Zealand Citizen, permanent resident, or their parent is on a two year (in a row) work visa.
Braces (orthodontics) and extractions for orthodontic purposes will not be free. If your teen has braces, they still need to have their teeth checked each year, by a dentist.
Wisdom teeth that need to be surgically extracted, or extracted under sedation, will not be free. You will be asked to pay the sedation fee.
Email: freedentalcare@cdhb.health.nz
Phone: 03 383 9446
These resources are for children, whānau, teaching staff, health professionals and community.
Menemene Mai – Early childhood oral health education toolkit
Brush DJ - The mobile phone app which helps you encourage kids tooth brushing
Brush up on healthy teeth poster (PDF, 1MB)
Page last updated: 21 March 2025
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